Actress growing with ‘The Seed’
PORTIA “Bikerbabe” Ncwane, the 25-year-old Durban dancer-cum-actress is enjoying herbreakthrough in the television industry. She already has a starring role in the drama series Imbewu: The Seed and featuring in a locally produced film. Ncwane’s talents have been honed in local theatre productions and passion for dance.
The e.tv drama series, which airs weekdays at 9.30pm, promotes social cohesion by showing the multicultural environment in Kwazulunatal, showcasing rural and urban lifestyles.
The series started last month and Ncwane says there are already plans to give her a bigger role.
“Acting and dancing is my passion. I have also been patient and believed the right time for me will come.
“My character has not been named as yet, but producers have plans to grow her and people can expect to see me for a while,” said Ncwane, who is from Newlands.
The TV series also showcases the emotional tensions created by the gap between the haves and the haves-nots.
Ncwane said she plays the role of being a friend to the main character, Futhi, who is played by Nokwanda Khuzwayo. “We are best friends and my character has an influence in her life. We do everything together.
“Whatever I say or do, she is with me. We are those tight friends on the show,” she said.
After completing matric at Newlands East Secondary in 2009, Ncwane focused on improving her dancing skills, which later also exposed her to acting in theatres.
Asked about working with Sarafina! star Leleti Khumalo, one of the actors and producers on the show, Ncwane said: “Working with Mam Leleti is a privilege and an honour because a lot of people, especially artists, look up to her and her work.
“But I’m also excited about working with new actors and actresses who have never been on screen before,” she said.
She said she had “hustled” with some of these actors in past years and was proud to have a chance to grow with them.
But Ncwane’s dancing has already taken her around the world. In the past few years she has been touring with the Umuzi Wenkosi Cultural group, which has performed at cultural dance events in countries including Italy and Portugal.
“Growing up I was this bubbly person and I participated in high school plays,” she said.
“I was active in everything: everyone used to say with my personality and energy I should pursue a career in TV.
“After I completed high school, the opportunity for dance presented itself and I have never looked back since then.”
Ncwane is also awaiting the release of the new film, Love Lives Here, in which she stars alongside high profile actors Thando “Thabooty” Thabethe, Thembi Nyandeni and Lungile Radu.
The film was shot in Durban and is expected to be released in cinemas in September.
It tells the story of a young novelist who is looking for love but is caught in the clash between modern and traditional ideas of romance.
“As young actors, we are really grateful for these productions that choose to shoot in our beautiful province because opportunities are also created for us. It shows that there’s a future for the industry to grow here and there’s lot of talent based here,” said Ncwane.
“I was really honoured to have been selected to be part of a cast which features some of our legendary actors, I learnt and I am grateful.
“I look forward to the release of the movie,” she said.