The South African short film, The Last Ranger has earned a nomination for Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards. Following a special screening at Montecasino, we caught up with the film’s leading ladies, Avumile Qongqo and Liyabona Mroqoza, to discuss their experiences bringing this poignant story to life
Set against the breathtaking landscape of Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, The Last Ranger follows young Litha (Liyabona Mroqoza), who embarks on an awe-inspiring journey with the last remaining ranger, Khuselwa (Avumile Qongqo). However, their adventure takes a harrowing turn when they are ambushed by poachers, sparking a desperate fight to safeguard the rhinos—one that ultimately unearths a heartbreaking truth.
Inspired by real-life events, the film weaves together a powerful narrative with pressing sociopolitical themes, shedding light on the brutal realities of poaching and the socio-economic hardships that drive it.
Meet Liyabona Mroqoza
Glamour: The Last Ranger is your debut acting role, and you’ve already won international awards. How did you prepare for such a demanding character at just 11 years old?
Liyabona: I had the support of everyone around me and that just gave me a boost of confidence. I am so blessed to have my mom, Cindy Lee, Avumile as well as everyone else by my side.
Glamour: What was the most challenging scene for you to film, and how did you overcome it?
Liyabona: The most challenging part about filming was experiencing cold temperatures high up in the mountains. It was unusually cold, but I had the help of Avumile to teach me a technique on how to handle and relax my body.
Glamour: Working alongside Avumile Qongqo must have been an incredible experience. What’s the biggest lesson you learned from her?
Liyabona: I've truly learnt a lot from Avumile not only how to master my acting skills but also how to deliver a top-notch performance.
Glamour: The film’s story is both emotional and action-packed. What was your favorite moment on set?
Liyabona: That is such a difficult question to answer because I enjoyed every moment of being on and off set. I made so many wonderful memories with everyone.
Glamour: Did playing Litha change the way you see wildlife conservation and the work of rangers?
Liyabona: Yes it truly did. I got to see how dedicated the rangers are in protecting all these beautiful animals and that they are putting their lives on the line so that many more generations are able to have the experience of seeing the animals.
Glamour: You’ve already made such an impact with this role. What kind of stories do you hope to tell in the future as an actress?
Liyabona: I just want to keep challenging myself to become the best I can be.
Glamour: The Last Ranger is reaching audiences worldwide. How does it feel to have your first film recognized at the Academy Awards?
Liyabona: It's such an overwhelming feeling. I haven't stopped smiling ever since the nomination announcement. I feel so blessed and grateful.
Glamour: What message do you hope young people, especially girls, take away from your character’s journey?
Liyabona: They should know and believe that anything is possible because there's a giant inside every little girl.
Meet Avumile Qongqo
Glamour: The Last Ranger tells a powerful story about female rangers protecting South Africa’s rhinos. What drew you to this role, and what did it mean to you personally?
Avumile: For a number of years women were sidelined from occupations of this nature. Fast forward to recent years we are seeing a great surge of competent female rangers in South Africa and gradually in the rest of the continent. It is not often that narratives of this nature are championed by women– let alone black as, in the case of my character, Khuselwa– and for this I commend Darwin Shaw, Will Hawk and David Lee who co-produced and co-wrote the script. To be afforded the opportunity to narrate this story in isiXhosa, to be guided by a marvellous female director Cindy Lee, and to be led by my brilliant co-star Liyabona Mroqoza, all this became a wonderful launchpad for my character. This sort of strong foundation empowered me to have more agency over the character and her story.
Glamour: What kind of preparation did you undertake to authentically portray Khuselwa, a ranger on the frontlines of conservation?
Avumile: I ensured that I gave myself a strong backstory which usually anchors the rest of the performance(s). Essentially if the center holds, all else holds.
Glamour: The film sheds light on both rhino poaching and the socio-economic challenges that drive it. How did this project deepen your understanding of these issues?
Avumile: It re-affirmed what I had always suspected that in order to effectively and comprehensively address socio-economic disparities of any kind, the conversations need to be inclusive and the communities affected must be given room to be the custodians of whatever urgent solutions required. In the film’s context, community-based conservation is a fundamental vehicle of imparting knowledge and generating employment.
Glamour: As an actress, how important is it for you to tell stories that highlight strong, impactful women?
Avumile: Strong is relative but it matters to me that female characters are given agency over their lives. How they choose to represent themselves must be evident in their wardrobe and dialogue. I’m not interested in playing stereotypical anything or be seduced by -ism which at times I find cumbersome in the actualization of self. The ability to self-determine as a woman is power and it is unique to each woman how they live that out. Khuselwa’s strong will to preserve her dignity even in the face of her unravelling word is what made her attractive to me.
Glamour: The Last Ranger has resonated with audiences worldwide, earning an Oscar nomination. What has been the most rewarding response you’ve received so far?
Avumile: The most rewarding response was from my family. I will never get used to my mom and dad expressing their gratitude to God for the good in my life, the sense of pride from my sibling and the rest of my family and friends.
Glamour: What was it like working with Liyabona Mroqoza on her debut role, and how did your dynamic shape the film’s emotional depth?
Avumile: There is nothing more rewarding than working with a generous performer; Liyabona is one such actor. I could never rave enough about her talent but when you’re in such good company you are compelled to return the generosity. We established a wonderful (trust) relationship off-screen, which became a gateway to the on-screen nurturing relationship.
Glamour: The film is in Xhosa, bringing a local South African story to a global stage. What does this representation mean to you?
Avumile: That we do not have to contort ourselves in order to appeal, appease, or be accepted! Our top priority was to tell our story authentically, telling it to and for ourselves in a manner that will make any South African watching the film feel seen and considered. I think we did a great job at that.
Glamour: As we approach International Women’s Month, what message do you hope audiences—especially women—take away from this film?
Avumile: Be patient with the process of becoming and unbecoming, find the calm in you and discover the power within you.
You are worthy, you are unworthy, you decide.
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