Though she is a new face in the industry, Nompumelelo Vilakazi has already become a firm favourite on Mzansi television. She plays the role of Sne on Mzansi Magic’s Diep City who is a true survivor battling abuse, poverty and a life of crime in the township.
Diep City tells the story of four young women who struggle with the ups and downs of life. Lerato, Sne, Nox and Asanda are close friends who go through the toughest battles, and experience more losses than wins. Nompumelelo has the role of Snenhlanhla (Sne) who is in an abusive relationship but is also fearful to leave because of the life she has planned for her kids. She takes viewers on her journey of heartbreak, loss, hope and the difficult decisions they have to make along the way.
This is Nompumelelo’s first-ever TV role but she is doing an amazing job at depicting the character of Sne and building a huge following and fan base in the process. She shares how she got the role and why most South Africans resonate with it.
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TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPBRINGING. WHO IS NOMPUMELELO?
I was born and raised in eMangwaneni, Bergville, by my grandparents. I come from a very poor village near the Drakensberg mountains, where I attended primary and secondary school. At the age of 14, I moved into a township close to Estcourt where I stayed with my siblings. This is where I joined a local community theatre group called the OCABI Project. After I matriculated, I took a gap year because I had no financial means to go to varsity. To make ends meet, I worked at a hotel as an entertainer for kids. In 2017 I was accepted at UKZN where I studied and graduated with a B. Ed degree. I’ve always been book smart but had a tough time growing up – I was bullied constantly because of the way I looked. That pushed me to work even harder to achieve good grades.
DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE AN ACTRESS?
I was a teacher, and I had my life planned out around teaching – acting was just a hobby. I had no clue that my hobby would turn into something big and ultimately become my career. God had greater plans for me because I’m a qualified Life Sciences and Geography educator, but He has placed me on the biggest show on Mzansi TV right now.
PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTER SNENHLANHLA ON DIEP CITY AND HOW YOU CONNECT WITH HER.
Sne is one of the bravest women I’ve come across. She’s very naïve, gives too much love and does not pay attention to what is happening around her, which leads to her making many mistakes. I’ve seen a lot of people with the same characteristics as her which made it easier for me to connect and capture her essence. She’s deeply respectful to her partner and wholeheartedly gives herself to him. Portraying the abusive aspect of their relationship is what challenged me. I had to learn how to channel those feelings to best deliver the performance the way it’s scripted. It’s not easy to dig deep and work through those emotions on set while trying to be consistent in your execution every day.
Since I’ve not had any formal acting training, I’ve developed my own tools and ways of staying on course. I do this by attentively listening to the director and absorbing what he says, and that helps me better understand what he expects from me and the character.
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WHAT OTHER ROLES HAVE YOU PLAYED BEFORE DIEP CITY?
This is my first ever TV role. Yes, I’ve had theatre performances, but this is my first time being in front of the camera and acting professionally. Before this role, acting was just a hobby for me.
WHAT INSPIRES AND KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED?
I’ve been through a lot while growing up. There were times where I thought there was no hope for me because of all the emotional trauma I endured. I found myself in a place where I had to try so much harder to be perfect, to be successful and to prove people wrong. But now I’ve learnt so much about self-love and doing things for myself and by myself. I’ve put ‘me’ first and gotten to know what kind of wonderful human being I am. Not to sound like I’m bragging, but I experience so much love and warmth from people and that’s what keeps me going every day.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE RELATE TO SNE SO MUCH?
I think it's because Diep City tells real stories from eKasi. The show reveals day-to-day township life, the characters are people we know, and the storyline is something we’ve seen or heard of. People connect with these elements of the show because they see what’s happening around them being played out on TV and that is something that has never happened before on local TV. One thing that’s not too obvious with Diep City or maybe that people overlook, is no one is rich in Diep City. Everyone is poor and trying to make ends meet. It’s about real life in the squatter camps and township living in its true form.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU WANT TO TAKE A BREAK FROM BEING ON SET?
I like to go home, back to KwaZulu-Natal. What matters to me most is being around my family. I need to go back to people that love me so that I can ground myself and separate myself from Sne and be Nompumelelo, and for me, home is the best place to do that.
WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN OR READ THAT’S INTERESTING LATELY?
The articles I’ve read about women this Women’s Day – from the powerhouses that we have in this country, to the strong sense of womanhood we have and the support we give each other. I was so inspired, and loved how much of a bond we have as abomama – we should be celebrated all the time.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION?
I’ve always wanted to go to Kenya! I want to learn about the Kenyan culture, connect with people in the ‘not so fancy’ places. I’m not sure what it is about Kenya that I love so much, but I really am fascinated and would love to go there one day.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR VIEWERS AND YOUR FANS?
I’d say don’t give up. Your life is yours and you don’t have anything to lose if you just keep on trying. I got the news of this role on an Instagram live and auditioned for the producer Mandla right there on Instagram. I then got a call-back and went in for a real audition. In this day and age technology and social media are useful business tools that can help catapult your career if you use them smartly and positively.
WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE?
I plan to keep on growing in the industry. I’m hoping to get other gigs outside of the country too. I see myself becoming an inspiration to the younger generation to encourage them to follow their dreams.
THE HEART OF DIEP CITY: NOMPUMELELO VILAKAZI
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
August 26, 2021
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
August 26, 2021
Rating:
