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After bagging the best supporting actress in a TV drama award for her role as Nomonde on Mzansi Magic’s iThemba at the 14th SA Film and Television Awards (Saftas), actress Brenda Ngxoli believes the sky is the limit, and she told City Press that the award gave her hope that she could still audition and land any role.
“I was in disbelief when the show’s producer called me to say I had won. The competition was tight as I was in the same category with Pamela Nomvete and Lorcia Cooper, the same people I grew up watching on TV,” she said. Other winners included Sindi Dlathu, Florence Masebe, Loyisa MacDonald and Clementine Mosimane. Mzansi Magic’s The River cleaned up with 10 awards.
The winners were announced on Wednesday night via a live broadcast on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, hosted by Metro FM’s Dineo Ranaka. The emotional 39-year-old, who is known for her role as Vuyo on SABC1’s drama series Home Affairs, thanked all of her fans for believing in her craft even after she took a break from the industry for seven years. “A nomination was a great boost for my morale. I am sharing this award with you. You are more than fans to me, Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu,” she said.
Seven years ago, she packed her bags and went back home to Xolobe village in Tsomo in the Eastern Cape to be a herdswoman. “I have no regrets at all. It was the best decision because it has helped me be a better version of myself. Growing up, I was an angry black child, but this lengthy break helped me be honest with myself, and take responsibility and accountability,” she said, adding that she had let go of her anger.
Today, she is content and striving for inner peace. Ngxoli has paid her dues in the acting industry. Five years ago, she walked away with Safta’s best supporting actress award for her role as Gladys in Rockville. She currently plays a supporting role as Dambisa in The River and says she loves every moment of being on screen. But she said that, at the moment, she was focusing on being the face of MTN’s ground-breaking Mobile Money, and doing radio dramas had been amazing. “I love being associated with brands that are building the lives of black people. I am fortunate to be always working with brands that speak to my people,” she said.
Kgomotso Christopher is also over the moon after winning the best supporting actress in a TV soapie award for her role as Yvonne in Scandal. “I had already given up because the transmission was delayed. When I was about to switch off the lights, I saw people on social media congratulating me and this is how I found out about my win,” she said, adding that it was great when people recognised talent.
The lifetime achievement award went to the veteran actress Mam’Thembi Mtshali-Jones. The 70-year-old said she was so lucky to be recognised while she was still alive. “My friends Joe ‘Sdumo’ Mafela and Daphney Hlomuka passed on and they never had the opportunity to be recognised. When we started acting, there were no awards. We were just driven by the passion and for the love of our craft,” the singer said.
The Imbewu actress said that she had already gone to bed and was sleeping when her granddaughter woke her up to congratulate her. “I just prayed and thanked the Lord because it has not been an easy journey,” she said. She has at least four awards under her belt, however, she said awards did not define her. Her words of advice to young people: “Stop being competitive, try to find your niche, find your gift and find your purpose.”
