One of the actors South Africans love to hate, depending on the role she plays, is Nqobile Sipamla.
Now Mzansi gets to see her showcase her range as she sinks her teeth into a new role, as Masasa Fassie on Empini, coming soon to Showmax.
“I love the challenge of playing older characters: they give me so much to learn and to work with,” she says.
Empini is a 52-episode drama set in the dangerous world of private security.
On Empini, she plays a gracious, humble, resilient, and deeply private woman, whose association with a former lover sees her become the centre of attention.
“Empini is an edgy show that will have viewers thoroughly entertained. It will showcase the intricate dynamics of how it is sometimes necessary that some secrets be kept for the safety of others, while, on the other hand, some secrets must come to light.”
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Nqobile initially called to audition for the role of Winnie Bhodoza, which went to Angela Sithole.
“I’m glad I got called back to audition for the new part, because once I found out that Masasa resides in Kokstad. I then thought to myself, ‘This is good for me!’
“My heritage derives from the amaHlubi ethnic group, and my mother is Swati/Ndebele. So when I read up about Kokstad and learned that it is just this melting pot of cultures that include AmaHlubi and many other ethnic groups, I was pleased that I was going to be portraying such a character.”
Nqobile’s maternal grandmother, who was of Griqua heritage spoke isiXhosa and understood isiBhaca, a Bantu language traditionally considered a dialect of siSwati, isiXhosa, and isiZulu, which motivated her to strengthen her preparation for the character linguistically as well.
“I’ve decided not to be afraid of challenging myself in terms of languages - with respect, of course,” she says.
“I want to explore different languages and I want to explore different dialects, so I was totally in my Xhosa brain when I was asked to return for the second audition.”
Masasa is in her 50s, so Nqobile is much younger than the character she portrays. She explains that this has been a strategic move.
“I feel like it’s been the story of my life,” she explains.
“Ever since I started my career, I’ve been aiming for characters that were 10 to 12 years my senior. I’ve always wanted the meatier, more challenging, and juicier roles. I find that it takes one out of a space where you’re more likely to show your own habits. Older characters challenge you to do more research and understand more substantial things about life, values, and personality traits.”
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“For the Masasa role, I went into a process of researching personality types. She is in the agricultural space, which, for me, means that she is a nurturer of sorts but also quite an independent thinker.
“Which also says to me that the work she does takes a certain sense of courage. That is why I appreciate the challenge that comes with playing older characters: they give me so much to work with. I must say though, every character I have played has presented me the opportunity to learn, which is what I love.”
Empini’s all-star cast also includes Nambitha Ben-Mazwi, Siyabonga Thwalaand industry legend Owen Sejake as General Moeti, SAFTA winning Charmaine Mtinta as Dorah Themba, Neo Ntlatleng as Ghathuso Moeti, as well as Sparky Xulu, Simphiwe Nkabinde, Kabelo Thai, Amahle Khumalo, Joseph Sedibo, Terrence Ngwila and Ernest Ndlovu.
