Nambitha Ben-Mazwi shining bright on and off screen

Multi award-winning entrepreneur, actor, and founder of advocacy organization #SheSpeaksByLadyNam’, Nambitha Ben-Mazwi’s accolades domestically have laid the foundation for her breakthrough as a promising brand on the international stage. She is the first African actor to hold six international Netflix credits. In 2020 she was hand-picked by Beyonce to star in her Black Is King visual album.

She was named a Top 5 entrepreneur in the country at the 2019 Accenture Rising Star awards. She has lent her voice to advocate for women and children as an official ambassador with Global Citizen, and just this past year as the host for Glamour Women of the Year 2023. She has graced our screens portraying groundbreaking characters such as Zimkhitha in the Netflix movie, “Happiness Ever After”, Linda Bhengu in the Netflix hit show “Savage Beauty”, in the critically-acclaimed, Emmy award-winning, US Netflix hit show “Black Mirror”, and currently making waves as the lead character Ndoni Themba in a first of its kind, action-packed Showmax Original, “Empini”.

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Nambitha Ben-Mazwi was one of the hosts at the Essence film festival

Nambitha is a true multi-hyphenate from actor to business honours graduate to style icon, entrepreneur, advocate, ambassador and more. And there is no sign of slowing down. We are voluntary witnesses to her journey - eagerly watching her transform into her different roles with ease, purpose and an unwavering dedication to breaking barriers and inspiring change in the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment.

Can you take us through your journey to becoming a professional actress?

I always say my story is a full circle moment. When I was young, and asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always drew a picture of me holding a microphone on stage. From grade one I had a natural interest and love for the arts and I knew I was called to do something impactful that required an audience.I didn’t relentlessly pursue the arts from the get go. I made the gradual decision of progressing to corporate after graduating from UCT with my Business Science Honours, because the arts was not going to pay my bills. However, a trip to New York changed my life. I took the plunge and landed my first gig at a comedy club. I came back to South Africa, firm in my pursuit of staying true to myself with a keen interest in pursuing a career in media. I worked at Heart FM, and later entered Presenter Search on SABC 3 and managed to secure my first TV series “Doubt” on Mzansi Magic and the rest was history.

Are there specific roles or genres that you are particularly drawn to, and how do you see your career evolving in the future?

I love a good old biopic and I think it comes from my love for history, it was one of my favourite subjects at school apart from maths. Even when I read, I love reading non-fiction - a story of someone who has gone through something with the ability to see myself in it. We are each other’s mirrors and if we get to strip down ego and get to the most vulnerable parts of ourselves, we are all the same and I want to showcase that. I want people to see themselves reflected back. Last year I got to do my first action film which was exhilarating and all I’ve ever wanted to do was showcase my Muay Thai. I got to do my own stunts and I would really like to do more of that. Empini Showmax came at the perfect time!

As someone who has made significant strides in the entertainment industry, how would you describe the acting landscape as a whole, especially in relation to diverse representation and storytelling?

We need to institutionalise the arts industry. South Africa is one of the country’s that hasn’t institutionalised the entertainment industry as compared to the global landscape. Until artists are protected, we can’t move forward and progress. Moreso now with the inevitable innovation and rise of AI. The bargaining power artists hold is extremely imbalanced and minimal, and that leaves room for unfair practice and exploitation in many parts. With diversity and representation concerned - things have gotten better over the years, back in the days there was colourism and I have spoken at length about this during a Savage Beauty round table discussion. We are seeing a winds of change. We have the Netflix movement “strong black lead” who are advocating for representation. For my lead role on Happiness Ever After, I fought for Zimkhitha’s role to have natural hair - I wanted to be as natural as possible - no lashes, none of that because I knew I was representing dark skin girls and I wanted to represent a different aspect of it. We need young girls to see themselves as beautiful in their authenticity and I think there’s a beautiful shift towards that and a celebration of it- and it goes back to the basics of a healthy non-toxic working environment that respects and pays artists their worth.

Acting often requires a deep emotional investment. Can you share how you prepare for challenging or emotionally intense roles, and how do you maintain a healthy balance between the demands of a role and your personal well-being?

I have a process during pre-production. I usually go offline. I disappear from my family and friends. I go off alcohol completely and centre myself without the noise. I feel, by cutting out all the noise, it forces you to spend more time with yourself , to be in tune and feel what you may be avoiding and heal from certain things. When I approach a character in that grounded aspect, I am able to hear, see, feel, touch and move like the character. I am able to see things between the lines of a script that I might have not been able to see if I was surrounded by a lot of noise. My coping mechanism is also church , my identity is firmly rooted in Christ. When I listen to my praise and worship I easily get back to myself.

You have had the opportunity to star in several Netflix productions. How has this experience influenced your approach to acting, and what have been some of the highlights of working on these projects?

I wouldn’t say my approach to working has changed but I have grown. The bigger the production the more directors you get to borrow knowledge from. I have always been strategic with my work but my approach has been refined. I have grown in every production. I want to feel challenged every time. I want to stretch myself. I don’t want to pick up a script and feel uninspired or bored. I think that is a dangerous place to be for any creative person because we draw inspiration through storytelling. I’ve absolutely had the best time working with Netflix. I advocate for them purely because they have changed the status quo locally, and we are experiencing an international standard of working culture, respect and expectations. There’s a professional way of doing things and they have educated us. We have done a lot of unlearning when it comes to working in terms of what is acceptable and what is not. They pour into us and listen to our dreams and goals.

How do you hope to inspire and empower the next generation women?

I am a founder of #SheSpeaksByLadyNam, a women empowerment movement that I started in 2018. The movement was catalyzed by a push and passion I have towards women and young girls. #SheSpeaksbyLadyNam is all about helping women and young girls find their voice and live in purpose. The movement began when I realised I couldn’t answer every social media DM - so I created a platform where I can meet and engage my followers. We started with an authentic brunch to advocate for vulnerable raw conversations. Followed by [the MAC cosmetics partnership campaign] Find your tone where we encouraged self-love and self-esteem. In 2021 I took it to Gqeberha where I gave a workshop on the business side of the arts, and it sold out. The reception and love I received from my home city was insane. I want to empower women around topics of self-love, wealth creation, skills development, GBV, female reproductive health and wellness.

As a seasoned actress, what advice would you offer to emerging talents who are navigating the complexities of the entertainment industry and striving to make their mark in the world of acting?

Be yourself. Every single person has got a personal DNA. There is no one like you. Find that magic and allow it to lead you. No one wants another Lady Nam. Do you, because that magic is what casting directors are looking for! The more in tune you are with yourself, the [more] truthful performer you will be.

Lastly; Looking back at your experiences and accomplishments, what are some of the most valuable pieces of advice you have received from mentors or colleagues that have shaped your approach to acting and success in the entertainment industry?

Laurance Fishburne told me I gotta have fun as an actor on set because if you are not having fun you are not doing it right - so I loosened up a little bit. [Before that piece of advice] I was a very strategic academic when it came to my approach to work and forgot to lose myself in the moment. Little moments like hanging out in the green room, bonding, sharing stories, acting a damn fool , and creating relationships with the crew - and honestly I laugh the most when I’m on set. My late uncle Winston Ntshona once asked me to spell the arts and I thought, here comes another riddle. He responded and said L.I.F.E “LIFE”, and I will always draw back to that because I cannot tell a story or evolve as an artist without tapping into my life.