Tango Nceteza opens up about her acting career, what she has been through in the industry, and what she learns daily from 'Paulina' the popular character she plays, in the hit series The River.
By nature, Tango is an introvert. She tries her hardest to keep out of the limelight. She'd rather not be called a celebrity and keeps away from interviews because it is outside of her comfort zone. Every day we see professional actors portray characters on television, and sometimes it becomes difficult to separate the two. This is why when we chatted with Tango, we could hardly believe it was the same person.
Tango plays the role of vivacious Paulina – her character is loud, confrontational, and not afraid to stand her ground in any crowd. She's the complete opposite of Tango in real life.
We get personal with Tango about her acting career and she shares her passions
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I was born and bred in Johannesburg, raised by my parents in the township of Soweto. I moved around a lot while growing up. We moved from Kasi to Kasi, but mostly around Soweto.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO ACTING?
Acting was never something that I had set out to do or a career path that I had chosen after high school. I was a confused teenager who didn't have any plan or clue about what to do with my life. It was during my gap year, after matric, that a friend invited me to her film school to help with a project. I was there for a week and became so fascinated with what they were doing behind the camera. And that's when I thought I could actually do this too. So, you could say that I stumbled upon it and fell in love with acting from that moment.
I come from a family of academics and they didn't understand why I wanted to act but they advised me if I was going to do this I need to take it seriously. My parents emphasised that my career should be able to sustain me and shouldn't be something that I do on a whim. I then enrolled in AFDA the School for the Creative Economy to show my parents that I was serious about acting, and they soon had faith in my decision.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE AS PAULINA?
I would say Paulina is a family-oriented person – she gives the people she loves her all. She's feisty and colourful, which is evident in her clothes, her make-up, and her hairstyles. She's soft but tough because life has hardened her, but she also has a very vulnerable side that she doesn't often show to the world. She can't be seen as weak and would rather be mean. Because of the cards she's been dealt, she's built up a wall for anyone or anything unfamiliar. Mess with her and you will feel her wrath.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER?
I admire her openness; she loves her family deeply just like I do. She can seem offish at times but really isn't. She always maintains a tough and bold exterior throughout but is actually quite a softie. We're complete opposites, LOL! I hardly ever smile, whereas Paulina is always smiling. She's outgoing, while I like to be alone – the more private my life is, the better. I'm very shy, and prefer less or no attention at all, while she's a busy body. She's so far removed from who I really am it's a real contradiction.
FROM ALL THE ROLES YOU’VE PLAYED, WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE?
I really enjoyed playing the character Lindiwe in the drama series called A Place Called Home. Lindiwe was rough and rugged, lived a hard life on the streets. It was one of the hardest but fulfilling roles I've ever played. I prefer roles that make me push boundaries and enjoy tough scripts that force me to look within myself and dig deeper. Those roles are the most beautiful for me because the audience gets to see the effort you put into your character, your talent, your range, and how far you can push.
Paulina has a special place in my heart. Her character is uniquely layered; there is a lot of depth in her that we have not seen yet. I appreciate that the writers are continuously showing different sides of her and challenging me to work even harder to portray her.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE FULLY ENGROSSED IN A ROLE?
Lindiwe in A Place Called Home was living on the streets, which forced me to do a lot of research because I have never been homeless. I love roles that depict society and show the truth about who we are as human beings. It's important to learn all aspects of a character, and fully immerse yourself to make it believable for the audience. Paulina wears lots of make-up, she talks a certain way, carries herself differently – some might call it unflattering and ghetto. The reality is that there are people who look and act exactly like Paulina, and we shouldn't judge them on what we see or take them less seriously.
IF YOU WERE NOT FAMOUS, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
I would be a psychologist. I'm very passionate about mental and emotional health. I believe many look down on it, which is why you often find people suffering alone. I would definitely pursue a career in psychology, it's something that I think would fill my heart. Mental health is very important to me, especially with the stigma attached to mental illnesses. People need help and understanding, not judgment.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT STOOD OUT FOR YOU IN 2020?
Everyone's story has touched me, from the things I read about on social media, to my family experiences – 2020 has been a horrible year. Thousands of people have lost their jobs and can't support their families, businesses have closed down. We've done a complete 360 as a country, and globally as well. The amount of loss we've had in terms of deaths is astounding and people are hurting, it's been a painful year. I don't know how most people are getting through it but for me, it's prayer.
On the positive side of 2020, a lot of people gave a helping hand to those in need. Ubuntu came out and the spirit of togetherness swept through South Africa. If we could be more of a community, we could make Mzansi a better place to live.
WHAT IS YOUR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS?
I don't think there is a recipe for success. I believe success has a lot to do with luck. There are so many people who are probably more talented than I am but have not had the luck to land such a big role. I believe that I was very fortunate to have the right people who groomed and nurtured my talent without taking any advantage of me. I believe my grandmother's prayers propelled me to make an income off something that I love. There are a lot of people who have not been so lucky and have not had the opportunities I have had yet, not that they are less talented, but it's just that their time hasn't come, and luck has not been on their side.
On the other hand, I view success as being happy. I can have all the money in the world but if I'm not happy then what is the point? Yes, money can solve many of your troubles but sometimes if you're not happy with who you are, it is meaningless.
WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING WITH SUCH A STELLAR CAST ON THE RIVER?
I'm not a morning person and I hardly talk to anyone before 9am. I had to learn to work with people who understand me, and I've also had to learn to be more accepting of other's needs. Every day I get to be around amazing thespians with vast experience and industry knowledge. I've learned that in the workplace, you need to ask questions. Learn from your peers and the older generation who have walked the road before you. Develop your people skills, so that you can fit in anywhere and get free classes from mentors and people you aspire to be.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT YOUR CAREER?
I would probably be a director rather than an actor. I've come to love being behind the scenes, I love cinematography and working with actors.
WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE FOR 2021?
Firstly, I am thankful that I've entered this year with both my parents still alive and my family is still here. I'm grateful for the love we show each other. I'm grateful for my job and the people I get to work with, I have an amazing cast and crew that is supportive and super talented. I appreciate every day that I wake up healthy because a lot of people sadly are not. I would like to say thank you to everyone who has shaped me, and has been a part of my life.
And I'm hoping in 2021 the world will start to heal, that people will start smiling again. If your plans for 2020 failed, you didn't get the house you wanted, the car you worked for, or that job you prayed for, be kinder to yourself because the kinder you are to yourself, the kinder life will be to you. You did the bravest thing in 2020… you survived, which is the most important thing you could have done. I'm hoping 2021 will be gentler to everyone, filled with love and all our dreams will come true. We need to be thankful that we have made it!
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH TANGO NCETEZO
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
January 15, 2021
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
January 15, 2021
Rating:
