It’s a sho’t left to fame

DADDYS LITTLE GIRL: Nomzamo Mbatha as Thandeka, the daughter of taxi boss Mpiyakhe Zungu (played by Siyabonga Twala), in Mzansi Magics new telenovela, iSibaya. Picture: �The Bomb

In showbiz, when one door closes another opens, and that is exactly what happened for industry newcomer Nomzamo Mbatha, who bagged the lead role of Thandeka Zungu in Mzansi Magic’s second telenovela, iSibaya. Debashine Thangevelo learnt how being a finalist in last year’s MTV Base VJ Search became the catalyst for her acting debut and how she feels about this life-changing opportunity…

THERE’S nothing like a fresh face to sell a character. And that is exactly what The Bomb Shelter’s casting director did in approaching Nomzamo Mbatha to play a central character in iSibaya, their telenovela for Mzansi Magic.

Cast as Thandeka Zungu, the daughter of patriarchal taxi boss Mpiyakhe (Siyabonga Twala), the twenty-something says: “I can’t say it (the MTV Base VJ competition) didn’t play a big part in landing this role. The casting director saw one of the episodes – where I made it to the Top 3. When I got the call, I was living in Cape Town, I was studying for my BCom accounting exam. Straight after that, I flew to Joburg to audition for the part.”

That her studies indicate a different career trajectory, Mbatha nods: “Yep, it is strange. But it (entertainment) was something I wanted to experiment with when I entered the competition last year.

“My friends always said I had the personality and my teachers would comment that I had that spark. The studies are more me wanting to pursue something solid – seemed like a valid plan for the parents.”

And the fire that performing offers has now engulfed the novice actress, with her relishing slipping into the role of a daddy’s little rich girl.

She offers: “Thandeka is not your typical city girl. She is very knowledgeable about what’s going on around her. She loves science and discovering new things. She is independent and funny. She loves her dad dearly. As much as she grows up in the city, she is rooted in tradition and is very inquisitive about it. I think a lot of girls will relate to her.”

Most young actors would be intimidated by having to work with an industry stalwart like Twala, but not this charismatic youngster.

“Siyabonga is such a joy to work with. I look forward to our father-daughter scenes. I have learnt so, so much. He never puts pressure on me to be on point. And he helps me when we run through our lines together. It is strange. I have seen him play other (tough) characters, but he is such a funny person. We have a ball on set.”

She also enjoys working with Thembi Nyandeni, who plays her aunt Mkabyi, and Palance Dladla, as her brother Jabulani.

“She (Thembi) is perfect. She is witty and dances during takes. She is a lovely, genuine person. Palance has been a great strength. He knows I never studied drama and I’m new and playing a lead character is a big responsibility. He was in a similar situation when he started out. And he’s become my guide.

“When we do our scenes, there is so much brother-sister chemistry. There is definitely a protective bond there. And if he isn’t having a good day, I’m not having a good day,” she reveals.

Given the praise by the actors, crew and directors, it seems Mbatha is a natural in front of the camera and it has built up her confidence.

“I have been getting a lot of affirmations and now trust myself as a performer. Each day, I realise I’m growing. For our initial scenes we shot under the harshest weather conditions. My skin got burnt and I had a rash. But that, I believe, is a good way of starting out. You don’t want to be cushioned. You want to be thrown in the deep end and swim.”

Aside from the bad blood between the Zungus and Ndlovus, a forbidden romantic relationship binds the two families.

On Thandeka and Sibusiso finding themselves in a Romeo & Juliet quagmire, she says: “Thandeka arrives in the valley for her umemulo (coming of age) ceremony. She never thought she would fall for someone like Sibusiso, who has a very different background. But there is a certain fire between them that they cannot deny. He wants to learn more about her world and she his.”

The significance of landing this role hasn’t quite hit Mbatha yet, who says she is more focused on “my craft, perfecting it and being great at it”.

She picks up: “Everything else that comes, I will be grateful for, of course. Right now, it hasn’t sunk in, despite all the hype.”

Such humility and dedication will hold this talented actress in good stead for roles to come.

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