A Drama and Production Studies student at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Nontethelelo Ndwandwe known as Sthabile from Uzalo has been nominated for the Best Actress of the Year award by the African Young Queen Recognition Awards. This event that recognises aspiring female artists making a mark in their spaces is expected to be held in Pietermaritzburg on 21 March 2024.
The 21-year-old aspiring actress from Nongoma in KwaZulu-Natal started appearing on SABC 1’s popular soap, Uzalo on January 2023. She is grateful to her fans who nominated her on the African Young Queens Awards Instagram page when a call was made to nominated young females who are good in acting.
According to Ndwandwe playing the character of Sthabile on Uzalo was her first acting role on television.
“Sthabile was a bit challenging character but I really enjoyed being her. When I got there I knew nothing about the screen but the Directors would make me feel comfortable and the crew was very patient with me and it became easier for me to portray my character (Sthabile). If I was asked which actors do I prefer to work with, I would choose Lilly and Nyawo. Although they had more experience than me but they didn’t show it or say anything that would make me feel that I’m not good enough to be on Uzalo. They were so kind and I learnt a lot from them,” said Ndwandwe.
Sharing where her love for acting comes from, Ndwandwe said she grew up watching the show called Zaziwa on SABC 1, presented by Pearl Modiadie.
“That woman really inspired me. I liked the way she was confident in everything she did, her dress code was always on fire and I told myself that one day I want to be like her. I told myself that I will also be on screen just like her. In 2019 while I was in grade 12 at Kwa-Denge Senior Secondary School, my class teacher Miss Mkhwanazi selected me to go and represent our school in an acting competition and she said to me Ndwandwe there’s something special about you, I won’t judge you if you choose to study Drama at university my daughter, you were born for this,” said Ndwandwe, who then decided to study Drama and Production Studies at DUT after matric.
Ndwandwe said she obtained the role on Uzalo after she became an extra in a movie that was filmed in Musgrave in 2022. She indicated that she was then put on a WhatsApp group where three months after joining she was sent an Uzalo script to translate from English to IsiZulu and was requested to send a video of herself reading the lines. She received feedback after two weeks informing her that she got a role on Uzalo of a character called Sthabile.
“It’s God, honestly. I was so excited, I even cried and prayed in my room at Residence. I called my parents and they were so excited. I started acting on Uzalo on October 2022 and I appeared on screen in January 2023,” she explained.
Her goal is to be recognised by great people who are in the entertainment industry and be casted in big productions. Lastly, she thanked her family for being supportive in her acting journey and she wishes to one day make them proud.
To get more details on how to vote for her, please follow her on social media:
Facebook: Nontethelelo Ndwandwe
Instagram: Nontethelelo_Ndwandwe
Pictured: Nontethelelo Ndwandwe.
Simangele Zuma
