Mbatha cruises into the big time
New movie merges talent from across the continent
Fresh from her latest role in new film All About Love, Nomzamo Mbatha is fast becoming the most sought-after screen siren of Africa’s vibrant and growing film industry.
After the success of romantic comedy Tell Me Sweet Something in 2015, Mbatha has a supporting role in renowned director Adze Ugah’s latest film project. The film features an all-African cast that includes Ghanaian actor Chris Attoh, Zimbabwean star Leroy Gopal and Nollywood leading man Enyinna Nwigwe.
On a blustery night, Time Out catches up with the Nubian goddess, sporting faux locks, at the Munro Boutique Hotel in the leafy suburb of Houghton, Johannesburg.
Despite the chilly weather Mbatha exudes total sex appeal, flaunting her bodacious curves and sexy legs in a thighskimming fringe mini-dress.
“I had a short stint in the film. It was cool shooting with everyone and I thought they had a great cast. I’m glad that we are now merging Africa,” she says. “It’s no longer just a Nigerian movie or a South African. It’s an African story and film. “Right now African cinema is flourishing; we are putting out stories like you wouldn’t believe. The stories are versatile, original and amazing.” Mbatha continues to captivate viewers on the small screen with her role as heroine Thandeka Zungu on Mzansi Magic soapie Isibaya. She has just wrapped up a gruelling storyline that put the spotlight on black magic and had the whole country buzzing.
“It was definitely hectic. It needed a lot of emotional and physical strength because of the hours we were putting in and the environment we were working in. I just needed to push it,” Mbatha says. “The way the story was met with excitement, it was just special to know the show has such an impact in South African families. That to me means that I’m doing the work and working towards becoming a better actress every single day.” Mbatha also had a small role in prison drama Lockdown that has just concluded. Aside from her busy acting schedule, she is hard at work trying to get her production company off the ground. Although she’s hesitant to reveal her plans in great detail, she hints that big things are coming. “You can expect special products from my production company. I just want to protect it for now by not revealing too much. It’s important for me to protect things that matter most. “Passion products take time and I’m just happy that my production company is finally going to be doing something. It’s going to be an incredible story.” In the three-and-ahalf years she has been in the entertainment industry, Mbatha has achieved and learnt a lot. “I’ve learnt to never give up, always push and always work to be a better version of myself. You have to work for your name and your work will always speak for itself.
“I’ve also learnt that people forget and people move on. There is going to be a horrible story about you that tries to hinder your progress so much that you think the world is over and you will never recover from it. But people forget and people move on.”
Mbatha is sharing some of that wisdom with her younger bother Zamani Mbatha – the breakout star of new telenovela Isithembiso. “I’m absolutely proud of him. He’s our golden boy and he’s going to do well. I’ve been watching him on the show and I enjoy watching him. I always tell him to keep his head down and keep the work going.”