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Nompumelelo Mayiyane who has a long list of productions she has been involved in will play Khwezi alongside Generations The Legacy's JT Medupe who's been cast as former president Jacob Zuma.
Nompumelelo considers herself an actress, a singer and overall a storyteller. Some of the productions she has been involved include movies such as, Mad Buddies. This recent project, which is inspired by Redi Tlabi's book opened for the public on the 27th of July at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria.
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Nompumelelo says that her love and passion for storytelling started young, "I always loved to act. I always loved to sing. At eight years old I remember falling asleep and having a dream where I saw my name in lights and I think my path just encouraged me," she explains. Her path has been nothing short of amazing.
In grade 8 she was selected as one of 12 South African students to take part in a five-week cultural exchange of the arts in the U.S. This opportunity saw Nompumelelo perform at the Apollo Theatre in New York and the Froude Theatre in Los Angeles.
We asked Nompumelelo a few questions about her life, her journey and her experience in taking on the role of Khwezi and here's what she had to say:
1. What are the five things people should know about you?
Firstly I always put God first. I value people or rather I have a love for people. I live from a place of purpose. I enjoy life and I love to have a positive impact on people.
2. What has been the highlight of your career so far?
There have been many highlights, to name a few I think touring is one. Getting an opportunity to see the world because of my passion, being on grand stages has been amazing. I think also the opportunity to play this role right now is currently one of my biggest highlights. She [Khwezi] is the first real character that I've played - it is such an important story.
3. What has the experience of playing Khwezi been like? Would you say that you related to her story in anyway?
I think she has taught me a lot. She has brought so much awareness to the things I always knew about and cared about but now that level has deepened. Playing this role has taught me to be a lot more sympathetic to various people in various situations. I can relate to the struggle of being a woman and your opinion not necessarily been regarded highly but it still matters.
4. What has been the most difficult role for you play?
I once did a small independent film called Silinidile. I had to play a woman who was struggling with homosexuality. I think maybe that was difficult because it had to challenge a lot of my beliefs as well as stereotypes while also playing that woman in truth.
I think also playing Fezekile has also been a challenge because she is not a fictional character so I couldn't just make things up. It was important that I brought my creativity nut in the same breath that I was true to the woman she was.
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5. What were you doing before taking on the role of Khwezi and what are going to do after the play comes to and end?
There's a place I would sing at every week called Marabi - I love The Marabi Club. So I used to sing there with a live band for the majority of this year.
After this production ends I have a week's break and then I head off to Cape Town to start rehearsing for the Broadway version of Matilda - so it's nice that I will be doing something light hearted after something so serious. I will be working on that production and it will open in Johannesburg at the Teatro Theatre at Monte Casino and then open at the Artscape in Cape Town. After that we tour Asia and I will be busy with that until 2020.
6. Who do you look up to?
I mean this is a cliché but I love Meryl Streep. I respect her and what I love about her is that she's not just a fantastic actress or actor or that she can transform with every role - I love that with her it has always been about the work, She is timeless and she has that staying power. I've never read crazy scandals about her. I care about Meryl Streep and not because I see her on the cover of magazines or wearing the flashiest dresses on red carpets - I care about her because her work is amazing.
At the end of the day, doing what we are doing comes with a lot things but heart and my core is always about the work and telling stories. So when I look at people like [Meryl Streep] who have been able to achieve great success and never having to be a celebrity about it, that is something that I aspire to and respect so much.
7. What are the challenges you have had to overcome?
Probably just having thoughts of maybe not being enough for the industry. Feeling like there was something that I was missing. I went through feeling like nothing is happening and finally I decided that this can't be my life forever - there is more to it. I am now at a space where I am a lot more comfortable being the woman that I am and the abilities that God has given me and I believe that I have something to offer the world.
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8. When you are not on stage performing or singing, what do you do in your free time?
I love to watch movies and that is one of my first passions. I like to hang out with friends and we love to do adventurous things like hiking and water sports; and eating at great restaurants. I love hanging out with my family as well, they are an amazing family - and I have a lot of siblings [two older brothers and two younger sisters].
I love to serve at my church and that is something that brings lots of fulfillment for me. I also serve at a charity called Just Love.
9. What do you think you will be doing in future with your career?
I taught earlier on in my career. I spent a lot of time teaching as a side job in between acting stuff and I enjoyed the immensly. I probably think I will teach and do more directing of my own work in future. I have started on a smaller scale but obviously taking it onto a bigger scale is the next step.
I have a passion for working with non-English speaking actors. I feel that our industry is not geared to accommodate people who do not live in Joburg. Travelling and working in different provinces and places as shown me that there is some much talent out there but the exposure is limited. So I have a desire to work with those people in future.
10. If someone were to tell your story, how would you want them to tell your stories?
I would want them to tell a story of an incredibly flawed human being who believes that they can be more and they can become more.
WATCH: Nompumelelo starring in a MasterPass advert
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