Luyanda Zwane's star keeps rising.
The Durban-born actress moved to Johannesburg to pursue her dreams and has since made her mark in TV productionsincluding Shaka iLembe, Redemption, Miseducation, Outlaws, and Sibongile & The Dlaminis.
TshisaLIVE caught up with the actress on Sibongile & The Dlaminis.
When did your love for acting start, and did you know you were going to make a career out of it?
It started when I was in high school where I was involved in musicals and drama competitions. I took drama as a subject. I've always known I wanted to be in the industry and my passion is acting because it made me feel alive when I was on stage portraying someone's life. I didn't think I would be able to put myself in someone else's shoes and change my perspective and look at life through someone else's lens.
How does it feel playing the lead on Sibongile & The Dlaminis and starring alongside Ayanda and Siyabonga?
It is lovely but a great challenge because I have the responsibility of carrying the show and leading the show because the story revolves around the life of Sibongile Mbambo. It is challenging because we are doing a lot of scenes every day and trying to make sure you are telling the story with great integrity and truth because you are telling someone's story and your story links to everyone else's character. You have a greater responsibility because everything needs to make sense. It starts with you.
Playing alongside Ayanda Borotho and Siyabonga Shibe is interesting because I grew up watching these people on television, so sharing the same set with them is like a full circle for me.
You are landing roles in major productions. Did you imagine this would happen so early in your career?
I didn't think it would happen so early, but it was something I was praying for. Last year I wrote it in my vision book that I want to play a lead moving forward. I said 'God I want to play a lead' and literally a year later that is coming to fruition. It confirms so many things, especially my faith in God and my purpose in the industry.
How have you been handling the fame?
I would like to believe I have been handling it well. It is new to me because being stopped at a store and having people ask for pictures fascinates me. I thought I'm just an ordinary person but people see so much because we tell their stories in the most authentic way and that is why when they see me they get happy.
Which characters were your favourites?
I enjoyed playing Nomonde Gumede on Redemption. She was a problematic child and did whatever it took to get her way. I also enjoyed playing Aphiwe Ndima on Miseducation streaming on Netflix. It came out on September 15 and is produced by Burnt Onion. Aphiwe touched on the reality of the black student who is underprivileged. She is also Xhosa so I enjoyed playing around with the language and learning on set.
What’s next?
Everything. There is a show coming out later in the year, I can't share the name yet because they haven't started with the promotions, but it is an international series. A lot more is coming. Campaigns, photo shoots and more work.
Five minutes with rising star Luyanda Zwane on her role on ‘Sibongile & The Dlaminis’
‘I didn’t think I would be able to look at life through someone else’s lens’
Image: Supplied
Luyanda Zwane's star keeps rising.
The Durban-born actress moved to Johannesburg to pursue her dreams and has since made her mark in TV productionsincluding Shaka iLembe, Redemption, Miseducation, Outlaws, and Sibongile & The Dlaminis.
TshisaLIVE caught up with the actress on Sibongile & The Dlaminis.
When did your love for acting start, and did you know you were going to make a career out of it?
It started when I was in high school where I was involved in musicals and drama competitions. I took drama as a subject. I've always known I wanted to be in the industry and my passion is acting because it made me feel alive when I was on stage portraying someone's life. I didn't think I would be able to put myself in someone else's shoes and change my perspective and look at life through someone else's lens.
How does it feel playing the lead on Sibongile & The Dlaminis and starring alongside Ayanda and Siyabonga?
It is lovely but a great challenge because I have the responsibility of carrying the show and leading the show because the story revolves around the life of Sibongile Mbambo. It is challenging because we are doing a lot of scenes every day and trying to make sure you are telling the story with great integrity and truth because you are telling someone's story and your story links to everyone else's character. You have a greater responsibility because everything needs to make sense. It starts with you.
Playing alongside Ayanda Borotho and Siyabonga Shibe is interesting because I grew up watching these people on television, so sharing the same set with them is like a full circle for me.
You are landing roles in major productions. Did you imagine this would happen so early in your career?
I didn't think it would happen so early, but it was something I was praying for. Last year I wrote it in my vision book that I want to play a lead moving forward. I said 'God I want to play a lead' and literally a year later that is coming to fruition. It confirms so many things, especially my faith in God and my purpose in the industry.
How have you been handling the fame?
I would like to believe I have been handling it well. It is new to me because being stopped at a store and having people ask for pictures fascinates me. I thought I'm just an ordinary person but people see so much because we tell their stories in the most authentic way and that is why when they see me they get happy.
Which characters were your favourites?
I enjoyed playing Nomonde Gumede on Redemption. She was a problematic child and did whatever it took to get her way. I also enjoyed playing Aphiwe Ndima on Miseducation streaming on Netflix. It came out on September 15 and is produced by Burnt Onion. Aphiwe touched on the reality of the black student who is underprivileged. She is also Xhosa so I enjoyed playing around with the language and learning on set.
What’s next?
Everything. There is a show coming out later in the year, I can't share the name yet because they haven't started with the promotions, but it is an international series. A lot more is coming. Campaigns, photo shoots and more work.
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