Versatile Shange reaches for stars
She now shines as producer
STAGE and television personality Nolwazi Shange refuses to be just another actress.
While her peers enjoy standing in front of the camera and being directed, the 31-year-old wants more. She has set her mind on television production and directing.
The Durban-born lass, who has appeared in A Place
Called Home, Intersexions , Zabalaza and Soul City, among others, is adding more levels to her career. Three years ago, an opportunity for her to become South Africa ’ s youngest casting director knocked on the door – and Shange was up to the challenge.
In the dog-eats-dog industry, Shange is up against veteran female casting directors like Rosie Motene, Lilian Dube and Moonyeen Lee. Her break came through Intersexions. The director of the youth drama show liked her work so much that she appointed her as a casting director.
Shange is not surprised that she became a casting director at such a young age because she started acting at the tender age of nine. By the time she was 13, she was already acting at Durban ’ s Playhouse Theatre.
“When I got the chance, I had been looking for a new adventure that would push me to grow as a performer. Being a casting director on Intersexions has fulfilled that dream.”
Being a casting director on Intersexions season two encouraged her to open her own casting agency called Africazi Media.
The two-year-old company has already cast for feature film Nothing For Mahala and the drama series Umlilo. Shange is enjoying her role as a casting director because she is exposed to a lot of talent.
“What makes me proud is seeing my name at the top of the credit lists. When actors give their all, you realise that you have chosen the right people,” she says.
Shange is proud of the job she did on Umlilo that currently airs on e.tv.
“I was able to put together great actors who brought the script to life. I feel proud watching the show. ”
Despite being one of the youngest in the industry, Shange is not intimidated, although she admits that many production companies prefer casting agencies with very experienced people.
“In order to be recognised you have to gain credibility. It is an industry that demands one to go to production companies to sell your skills in order to score jobs. Once you have built a good profile, the industry starts trusting you,” she says.
Shange believes she would have not succeeded in this tough industry if it was not for the support of her actor boyfriend Mzwandile Ngubeni. Shange and Ngubeni have been together for five years. The two plan to get married when the time is right.
“Seeing my name at the top of the credit lists makes me very proud
“He is a very passionate person and is forever pushing me to try new things so I can grow. He pushed me to establish my own casting agency,” Shange says.
Focusing on growing her own agency has affected her acting career. Shange says it is only this year that she has begun auditioning again and promises to be back on the small screen before the end of the year.
Although Shange has acted in a few shows, her name is up there with the best. She received a Nigerian Entertainment Award for best actress in A Place Called Home.
Shange runs acting and script writing workshops in high schools during her spare time. Her aim is to empower young people with acting skills.
The television personality started her career as a musician. She started her singing career in her family and in school choirs.
Shange comes from a musical family – her mother sang with Lindelani Mkhize of Joyous Celebration fame – when they were growing up, while her grandmother was a choir conductor. She also studied acting at the Durban University of Technology with Sdumo Mtshali and Xoli Zondi, among others.
Shange also did contemporary dance in her younger years and has participated in the FNB Dance Umbrella.