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Actress Siphesihle Ndaba, who portrays the feisty and dangerous Mazet on new telenovela Gomora, tells Ntandoyenkosi Mncube how she landed her first major TV role and what it is like rubbing shoulders with veteran actors
New kid on the block Siphesihle Ndaba has thrown herself into her first major TV role, winning the viewers’ hearts as the feisty Mazet in Gomora.
Ndaba made her TV debut in Mzansi Magic’s new telenovela on March 31. It’s a show that depicts the lives of two families and how their worlds collide.
“I really appreciate the love and reception the viewers are giving Mazet. Sometimes we think that for a character to be loved they should be shy and timid, but this is not always the case. Mazet is a dangerous woman, but the viewers have fallen in love with her,” she said.
The 22-year-old actress described her first day on set as nerve-wracking: “Screen acting is very different from stage acting. Although I have done a lot of stage acting, screen acting has a lot of different techniques and habits [you must learn]. So, I had to wrap my head around that.”
When she went to the open auditions called by the show’s executive producer, Kutlwano Ditsele, she saw a lot of familiar faces and she was nervous, but she still went ahead with the audition.
“Then I was required to self-tape for a callback, because I was in London, and I sent it through. A few weeks later, I was told I got the role when I returned to South Africa after a second callback.”
The Soweto-born actress, who holds an honours degree in dramatic arts from Rhodes University, described Mazet as a very complicated, yet straightforward character, when it comes to her feelings and thoughts.
“Mazet thinks on her feet and genuinely shows care [for others]. She is thoughtful towards those she cares about ... but sometimes she needs to think emotionally and to work on being a bit more vulnerable.”
Ndaba and Mazet have something in common. “We are both born and bred in the townships. I was born in Soweto and Mazet was born in Alexandra. But we both know what we want. We are both willing to work towards our goals, we like our own space. But once we open up we are able to be vulnerable and break down the walls around us.”
. Siphesihle Ndaba has 18 siblings.
. She once played in a jazz band and orchestra.
. She once forgot her lines during a nursery school play and she ran off the stage.
. She is a great baker.
. She loves chicken wings.
Ndaba is her own biggest critic.
“After every shoot I always find things that are wrong, so that next time I am on screen I can perfect my craft. I allow myself to do better, but at the same time, I don’t overjudge myself.”
Ndaba stars alongside Ntobeko Sishi, who plays Ntokozo. Mazet is a dangerous woman who lures Ntokozo into a life of crime.
“We are each other’s critics and we also give each other suggestions on how to improve our craft. I like that because this is how you grow as an actor, because you are able to take criticism very well and reflect on it.”
Even offscreen, they check up on each other.
She has also learnt a lot from acting alongside veteran actors such as Connie Chiume, Katlego Danke and Thembi Seete.
“It has been amazing working with all of them. Not only are they amazing actors, they are also friendly and genuinely caring, even offset. I have also learnt professionalism from them.”
. Catch Gomora every weekday at 7.30pm on Mzansi Magic channel 161 on DStv
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