The South African acting industry is always looking for the next crop of up-and-coming actresses. A few years ago it was Terry Pheto, before that it was Sindi Dlathu and way before that it was Connie Ferguson. There’s little doubt that the entertainment industry thrives on fresh faces, and it certainly can’t be easy for aspiring ingénues to break through with so much competition on the playing field.
That said, all it takes is one great role for a struggling starlet to be catapulted from obscurity to the elusive A-list. And there are a number of promising up-and-coming actresses on the horizon and Tango Ncetezo is one of them. Here she is talking about her work and other stuff .
Sithe: Tell us about yourself.
Tango: I was born in the East Rand. I have two younger brothers. I first grew up with my aunt then with my grandparents until my parents came back from overseas.
Sithe: How did you get the name Tango? It’s kind of peculiar
Tango: It’s actually Tango (pronounced Th-a-ngo). I was given to me by my aunt. It means a wall or a kraal. The meaning behind it is that I am to be the protector of the family as well as the preserver of family wealth. I also have two other names, Mbuthokazi and Mbali.
Sithe: How did you get into acting?
Tango: It’s a clichéd story. Everyone has a story like this. I really wasn’t into acting until I was in grade 10. I auditioned for a school play and I got the lead part first time. I then matriculated and still the art wasn’t in the plans. See, I come from a very academic family and so when I told them I want to do performing arts they were like…huh?! In retrospect, I suppose I have always been an actress cause I remember when I was young I used to model in front of my grandparents. Beng’phapha njengomntwana. I enjoyed the attention…I found performing enthralling. I mean how does one portray a real life story as if it’s their own. It’s something different. It’s not like your regular 9-5 job. There are always challenges.
Sithe: Are you professionally trained?
Tango: Yes I am. I attended AFDA for three years.
Sithe: Now let’s talk about your work. In a drama A Place Called Home you played a homeless character Lindiwe, a role I think you did brilliantly. How did the role come about?
Tango: I got a call from my agent telling me that they are looking for a lead role and specifically a 17-year old and to think I wasn’t 17 (laughing). So I went to the audition. I really thought I was lucky because there were so many good actors who came to audition. I remember I used work for this company so at lunch I sneaked out to audition… and as they say the rest is history.
Sithe: Can you relate to Lindiwe?
Tango: Not so much as to relate but I took away quite a lot from playing the character. I loved her resilience and the passion for her craft.
Sithe: Was it easy to playing Lindiwe?
Tango: Well, no role is easy because each come with its own dynamics and you have to do your best to get into the role and make it believable. I did a lot of research. I even spent time with street people trying to understand.
Sithe: How was it like acting alongside Thomas Gumede and Siyabonga Radebe
Tango: Thomas and Siya were hilarious. The set was never boring with them around. We are still good friends even now.
Sithe: …and Akin (Omotoso) as a director?
Tango: Akin is a good guy. He treated everyone the same and allowed you to be creative in your role. If one struggled he was always willing to assist.
Sithe: You did a short drama about HIV alongside Melusi Yeni. . Please take us through it.
Tango: It’s the first TV role I did and that was three years ago. It was titled ‘Secret and Lies’. It’s a story about infidelity, trust, communication. If you are not happy in a relationship and you don’t say anything about it you are not helping anyone because you end up going outside looking for fulfillment and that’s how HIV spreads.
Sithe: There is a part where you were telling Melusi how your ‘side dish’ was doing stuff to you that he was failing to do as a man. That was mean!
Tango: (Chuckling) It was a script and I had to follow it.
Sithe: You had a cameo role in Society 2 playing Beth’s love interest. We thought that was hot! How was it like playing a lesbian?
Tango: I think the question you want to ask is how it was like kissing a girl (bursts out laughing.) It was interesting……. (Long pause) It was fun! I enjoyed it. It was a different role altogether. I told my mom about it and she was like, whoah! I knew that when I took that role it will be controversial. The plan was to get people talking. What I loved about Society is that everything portrayed is what’s happening in real life.
Sithe: Would you say that you are a sex symbol based on the roles that you have played?
Tango: No… Not at all.
Sithe: What acting projects are you currently working on?
Tango: Zone 14. I’m playing a feature role, only few episodes.
Sithe: Can we expect you see you in one of South Africa’s big soapies?
Tango: You’ll never know. We are going to have to wait and see.
Sithe: Ten years from now you’ll be…
Tango: I’ll own events and Production Company.
This and That
Sithe: How do you relax when you are not working?
Tango: I love spending time with my family. I am a homely person. I like being at home. Occasionally I’ll do short marathons or go clubbing with my friends. I also love dancing to hip hop music. I love reading otherwise how else one gets knowledge. I’d read three books at a time.
Sithe: Are you a football fan?
Tango: I’m not a fan but I got really excited about the World Cup. My grandparents support Orlando Pirates.
Sithe: What are things you cannot live without?
Tango: Family, Vaseline, Phone & Laughter.
Sithe: What do you think of South African music and what’s currently playing in your stereo?
Tango: There are some good artists out there. Black Coffee is currently playing in my stereo. His album is amazing.
Sithe: Who is your favorite local music artist?
Tango: Thandiswa Mazwai
Sithe: Are you on twitter?
Tango: Yes! You can follow @TangoNcetezo
Ends.
Interview by Sithe Sikhosana