South African actress Nambitha Ben-Mazwi is commemorating 10 years in the entertainment industry, a journey marked by strategic decisions, risk-taking, and a commitment to her craft. Her career began with a small role in the second season of the TV series Traffic, starring Bonnie Mbuli. Before pursuing acting, Ben-Mazwi studied business science at the University of Cape Town, graduating with an honours degree in 2012. Her early life in Gqeberha, where she was born and raised as the last-born of three children, played a significant role in shaping her perspective and values.
Ben-Mazwi's decision to pursue acting led her to New York for a two-week holiday that turned into six months. Upon returning to Cape Town, she worked at Heart FM, managing their digital marketing department, which allowed her to attend auditions. This led to her role in Traffic, followed by Presenter Search on 3, where she made it to the semi-finals. In June 2015, she took a leap of faith and moved to Joburg with the goal of becoming a star, despite not having a clear plan. Her breakthrough came when she was signed by renowned casting and talent agent Moonyeenn Lee.
Ben-Mazwi's career took off with roles in Doubt on Mzansi Magic and Madiba on BET, where she played alongside Laurence Fishburne as Nelson Mandela. She gained further recognition with her role in the telenovela Broken Vows, but it was her performances in Happiness Ever After and Savage Beauty on Netflix that catapulted her to superstardom. Reflecting on her journey, Ben-Mazwi admits that she had no expectations of making it to 10 years in the industry, but she has followed her heart strategically and with intention.
One of Ben-Mazwi's most significant career highlights came last year when she was cast in Tatort, a German-language anthology series that follows homicide detectives in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The series, which first aired in 1970, is Germany's longest-running TV series. Ben-Mazwi was directed by Swiss filmmaker Claudio Fäh and portrayed illegal immigrant Moyo Alemu in the episode Könige der Nacht (Kings of the Night), which premiered in May.
Ben-Mazwi's experience working on Tatort was a whirlwind, with a week to prepare while her visa application was underway. She had to learn Swiss German, and AI technology helped her learn her lines. The role was a significant risk, but it has opened her eyes to the impact African artists can have globally and the potential for collaboration. Ben-Mazwi plans to screen a watch-party later this year for a South African audience as part of an event celebrating her decade of excellence.
Despite her success, Ben-Mazwi notes that the biggest challenge she has faced is the system not being tailored for actors and creatives to win, have longevity, and have a comfortable career in monetary terms. She believes that the industry is not protected and regulated, leading to many icons struggling financially. Ben-Mazwi's late grandmother, Nanziwe Florence Ben-Mazwi, a pioneering nurse, is her biggest source of inspiration and instilled in her a strong self-image and self-esteem.
Ben-Mazwi's late grandmother, who taught her about etiquette and the importance of self-confidence, played a significant role in shaping her perspective on life and her career. Ben-Mazwi's next project is an eight-part series, Invisible, opposite Kim Engelbrecht, based on Deon Meyer's best-selling crime novel Blood Safari. As she celebrates 10 years in the industry, Ben-Mazwi's journey serves as a testament to the power of following one's heart and taking risks to achieve success.
Key points
- Nambitha Ben-Mazwi has starred in several notable TV and film projects, including Black Mirror, Scandal!, The Queen, Diamond City, How to Ruin Christmas, Savage Beauty, Happiness Ever After, Empini, and The Estate.
- Ben-Mazwi's role in Tatort marked a significant milestone in her career, as it was her first international project and a departure from her usual roles.
- Ben-Mazwi plans to screen a watch-party later this year for a South African audience as part of an event celebrating her decade of excellence.
