Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
SAFTA NOMINEES FEEL LIKE WINNERS
IT’S all roads lead to the Bokone Bophirima this weekend as we roll out the red carpet for Mzansi’s crème de la crème of the film and television industry in honour and recognition of their craft.
Ahead of the highly anticipated 13th annual South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas13) taking place at Sun City’s Superbowl, this Saturday, we chatted to Nommer 37 lead actress Monique Rockman and
I’sthunzi star Zikhona Bali.
The duo share how their lives have influenced their portrayal of their characters.
Rockman, a contender in the Best Actress in a Feature film category for her role as Pam in the movie
Nommer 37, says she is honoured to be nominated alongside industry giants, Diaan Lawrenson and Jill Levenbeg, whom she has great admiration for.
“After receiving the exciting news from the director Nosipho Dumisa, I was thinking how humbled am I to be up there with these amazing females that I have looked up to for so long,” said Rockman.
About her nomination, Rockman insists receiving a nod is as good as winning for her.
“I know we made a good film and we worked very hard, but never in a million years did I think that I would be looked at and be nominated, and personally, just being nominated is a win already, and it’s such an amazing thing to be part of.”
Rockman delivered a stellar performance as Pam, a tough cookie who is fierce and loyal to her gangster boyfriend Randall (Irshaad Ally).
Many women can relate to Pam, a woman who gives love and loyalty, even when the recipient has proven over time that he is not worthy of it.
Asked if there any similarities between herself and Pam,
Rockman said: “There are similarities. I find myself vulnerable a lot in my own life, and I had to recreate that for Pam because she’s a very pure hearted character, but very strong. A lot of times we think strength means loud, but sometimes strength means being still.
“Pam was in an abusive relationship, Randall cheated, but she carried herself in the stillness, she took control of the situation, and in the end, she became this unexpected hero.”
Rockman has spent a bulk of her career as an actress in the theatre space.
“It was an amazing feeling. It was scary and exciting because finally, someone like Nosipho Dumisa thought it okay for me to represent a coloured character in a feature film, whereas before, I was turned down a lot because I didn’t look typically like the coloured female, and it bothered me a lot. I thought I was going to stay in theatre forever.”
We also caught up with Zikhona Bali, who is vying for the Best Supporting Actress in the TV Drama category against Pamela Nomvete and Lorcia Cooper.
Bali portrayed a character of Londi in the drama series I’sthunzi. Londi is a teenage mother with no real family structure. She has to rely on her absent baby-daddy. Despite being poor, she is a very resilient character.
About the impact her role made in her life, Bali said: “It’s funny that even now after 2 years since I’sthunzi was screened, people still see me as Londi, people on the streets recognise me as Londi more than any other character I have played before.”
She further explained: “And I’ve learnt a lot from the character, she’s stronger than me. I’ve learnt how to be brave and courageous, how to push through, especially now, because last year was a very difficult year for me, so I drew a lot of strength from the character.”
About what her Saftas nomination means to her, Bali enthused: “I think awards are a great initiative. It’s a way for us actors to be recognised for our craft while we educate and entertain society. I’m excited. It’s my first nomination, it’s quite a big thing for me, and I hope it opens new doors.
“Just being nominated is a win. I cried when the announcement was made. I’d like to win but I’m up again Pamela Nomvete and Lorcia Copper, just being nominated alongside them means a lot, it’s an honour.”
Bali also shared her highlights of being part of I’sthunzi: “From the beginning we had workshops, which is very rare in South Africa.
It’s normally very fast paced. We read scripts for a couple of days, then we go on to set and off we go.
“So it’s a great an opportunity to have a workshop before shooting commences.
“We all had the same vision, from crew to cast and we had the same passion for, we were all in it not necessarily to win anything, but we really had a good story.”
The Saftas13 will be broadcast live tonight at 7pm on SABC 2.