
Nqobile Sipamla portrays Masasa in Showmax's Empini'Talented actress Nqobile Sipamla discusses portraying an older woman, Masasa in Showmax's upcoming series, Empini'.
by Rae Seleme
12-05-2024 07:00
in Entertainment
Actress Nqobile Sipamla. Image via X @KamvaDiko
Empini actress Nqobile Sipamla admits she loves the challenge of portraying older characters.
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NQOBILE SIPAMLA: LATEST ROLE The former Imbewu: The Seed actress Nqobile Sipamla stars in Empini as Masasa, a woman in her 50s.
Sipamla tells Sunday World that she researched different personality types for her latest role as Masasa.
Her character is a gracious, humble, resilient, and deeply private woman whose association with a former lover sees her become the centre of attention..
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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.
The actress adds that she's decided not to be afraid of challenging herself in terms of languages with respect. She wants to explore different languages and wants to explore different dialects. So, she was totally in her Xhosa brain when she was asked to return for the second audition.
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MORE STARS JOIN EMPINI' The fan-favourite actress Nqobile Sipamla will star alongside award-winning actors Nambitha Ben-Mazwi and Siyabonga Thwala in Empini.
Ben-Mazwi portrays the role of Ndoni Themba, a deeply troubled private security bodyguard in search of answers.
While Thwala portrays her mentor, Khaya Bhodoza, who is a prominent businessman and political stalwart.
The Queen star tells IOL that the actress says she's been manifesting her latest character. She adds that her team had been working for the past two years on landing her a role that would showcase her skills as an actress who can deliver fast-paced action.
She tells Showmax: As a strategist, I've been meticulous in my career and how I avoid playing the same character twice. The time is now to showcase the range I possess in my acting.
She also admits that Ndoni is her most physically demanding role yet. She's done a physically challenging role before, but not to this extent.
Former Isibaya star, Siyabonga Thwala says he's particularly excited about his role in Empini as it will showcase the many facets of himself as a performer. This role has stretched him tremendously, mentally and physically.
The cast also includes Owen Sejake as General Moeti, 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.
Empini premieres on Showmax from 23 May 2024.
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