Luyanda Zwane spoke with TshisaLIVE about her role in Sibongile & The Dlaminis.The Durban-born actress relocated to Johannesburg to pursue her goals, and she has since earned a name for herself in television shows such as Shaka iLembe, Redemption, Miseducation, Outlaws, and Sibongile & The Dlaminis.
She took the time to chat about her career in 5 minutes, and here are the interview questions and answers, courtesy of TshisaLIVE.
1. When did your love for acting start, and did you know you were going to make a career out of it?
It began in high school, when I participated in musical and drama competitions. I studied theater as a subject. I’ve always known I wanted to work in the industry, and acting is my love because it makes me feel alive to be on stage depicting someone’s life. I never imagined I’d be able to put myself in someone else’s shoes, shift my perspective, and see life through someone else’s eyes.
2. 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.
3. 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 in my vision book that I want to take the 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.
4. How have you been handling the fame?
I’d like to think I’ve been handling it well. It’s new to me since being stopped in the middle of a store and asked for pictures excites me. I thought I was just an ordinary person, but people see so much because we convey their tales in the most real way possible, which is why they smile when they see me.
5. Which characters were your favorites?
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.
6. What’s next?
Everything. There is a show coming out later this year that I can’t reveal the name of because the promotion hasn’t begun yet, but it is an international series. Much more is on the way. Campaigns, picture shoots, and other projects.