Can South Africans Act?
February 1, 2010 by Phathu
When it was announced that the Oscar winning Jennifer Hudson was cast to play Winnie Mandela in Darell Roodt’s biopic about Winnie, who is probably the most infamous woman who never became a first lady, South Africa was outraged. The same foul cries that have been sung for years were heard once again, why cast an American to play a south African icon. The timing of the news could not have been better, Invictus, which I am yet to see, had just hit the market and Morgan Freeman was playing Mandela on screen for all to see, but there was little noise about that.
I am not for or against the casting of Jennifer Hudson to play Winnie and here are my reasons:
Making a movie is ten times more expensive than making a television show. For a movie to be made in this country you need investors, investors only come when they are certain that a movie will make money at the box office. The only way to lure investors into a movie project is to attach a big star to the movie. This also works when you need to make deals with international movie distributors. They all want to know who is starring in your film.
Imagine you are trying to sell a movie in Hungary starring a nobody, who is going to watch it – no one! Or you’re the boss of Rand Merchant Bank and get a proposal to fund a movie that will star Will Smith and two days later you get a movie that will star Vusi Kunene, where would your money go? This is business; sentimental does not rule the stock market.
On the other hand I do understand the complaints people have about allowing Hollywood actors to tell our own stories, yes they can’t get the accent right and some pronunciations leave you cringing on the seat. The fact of the matter is that we need our actors to be given this chance to shine on the screen; I wish I had a solution on how to solve this problem but I do not – I am sure somebody smart at the National Film and Video Foundation can explain to us the best way to remedy this.
My gripe is that Jennifer Hudson is not such a good actor; she just got lucky with Dreamgirls. It is the choice of actor that bothers me, not the fact that she is American. There are many international stars who are better suited for the role.
When the dust of this whole uproar settled down, I found myself wondering, if ever we were to cast a South African actress to play Winnie, who would it be? We don’t have many film actresses, so it would have been a toss between the utterly boring Leleti Khumalo who can send you to depression by just looking at her or Bonnie Henna, whose acting abilities still haven’t impressed me – I think she just got lucky, she is no Charlize –hey, just my opinions.
I know some of you are going to stone me for this but I really don’t think South Africans can act, only ten actors in this country are versatile enough to play any role you offer them. Most actors in this country are good at reading a script and memorizing the lines, I think soapies are to blame for creating such caricature actors. The other thing is that most actors are not trained actors; they are just cute faces that got a chance on TV. Acting is an art that can only be perfected through years and years of training. I feel that most people do not respect the art as much as they respect the academic field. The fact that motho o a phapha or is a drama queen does not make them good actors, laawd have mercy on these people that populate our dramas.
There is very little attention that is paid to crafting the act, I have heard of a major soapie actress that reads her script during make-up. Where is the respect of the craft in that, how can a person bring an emotion to such a script – you should go see how they shoot these soapies, it is like a popcorn machine. Who cares about the flavour, just make popcorns!
I always shudder when people say Pamela Nomvete is a brilliant actress, I have my reservations about that. In every role that I have ever seen her, she has been unable to shake-off the Ntsiki Lukhele role. What happens in this country is that an average actor will get a role that fits them well, they play it to the best of their ability – they are not necessarily the best actors, it’s just that the role fits them like a glove. They become one with the character and bring magic to the scene; I think that was the case with Pamela and the Ntsiki role. There are many actors who fall in this field, just think of Kenneth Mashaba on Generations.
I am sure by now you’re wondering which actors I consider to be the best in this country, Fiona Ramsay tops the list – I think she is a fine brilliant actress and then my list is populated by the likes of Motshabi Tyelele, Vusi Kunene and others who always slip my mind.
- Which South Africans can act?
By Phathu Makwarela ©
Sbozh on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 3:43 am
Nice angle Lelz
Haven’t seen her in many roles I must admit; but I think she respects the art in acting though. In Devil Protest (Market theatre) & Tsotsi also in Zone 14; she seems to have potential. A really good director might get a lot from her ! Terry Phetho comes to mind; as well as Nandipha of Isidingo
Kiki on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 4:00 am
I say Moshidi,that woman can work any role just like Brenda Ngxoli,Nthati Moshesh,Nambita Mpumlwana,Bubu Mazibuko n Vatiswa Ndara (she worked the mamfundisi role on generations and now home affairs) If there is one woman that cant act is Terry Pheto.Aaw Thixo wam she is everywhere just lyk Lele aka Inno frm Soceity but eish no acting skill watsoever..now thats what we call being lucky.. lol @ Leleti kwakwakwa Phathu mara.
Dladla on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 8:40 am
I think the whole Winnie story thing would have to be carried out by two women; one to depict the younger winnie and the other will potray the older Winnie.
I mean, in whatever choice we make we must consider that two people are needed. At least, I think so.
Also, I agree Kiki, Vathiswa Ndara is the best and I think she would do justice to the role of the controversial one.
Otherwise, I really cannot wait to see how the movie will potray all the stuff SA is prohibited from talking about, in regards to the case on Former Mrs. Mandela and her deeds in the past.
khafo on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 9:34 am
Ja, I also think Vathiswa can nail this. Where is Pamela mara?
I agree with you Phathu, Jen is not a good actor but the best and greatest singer. Is this movie on the circuit yet?
Enkosi on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 9:42 am
Phathu it’s like you read my mind and put it down so beautifully. The industry still has a long way to go. And our actors and actresses are so hell bent on comparing themselves to Hollywood and the money issue isn’t even half of it. We want what Hollywood glitz and glam but we are not prepered to do the kind of work it takes to get there. Hollywood’s taken years to be what it is (good or bad) and thina we want to get there overnight and with none of the sweat. Shame!
I also think Vatiswa Ndara, Nambitha Mpumlwana and Nthathi Moshesha are really great actresses. I disagree with you re Seputla Sebogodi though I think he’s quite good. Think of his Surbaban Bliss days
Enkosi on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 9:51 am
In some ways I prefer Nollywood, Vendawood and the like because they take whatever little they have and come up with something. They are not trying to be Hollywood they just tell their own stories in their own way using what ever means available to them. I know the movies are very cringeworthy but its better than sitting on your backside and doing nothing. And it might well be the building blocks of something bigger.
sponono on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 10:11 am
Phathu you’ve just said everything I(and some others)’ve wanted to say but didnt have guts to say it…acting in SA is done as a a thatha’machance…and very few have taken years to practice the craft…its just auditions, and as soon as the audience loves the story they dont even question the acting, and voila the person is a star…(lookin at you Generations folks)…teh fault also lies with the Arts Dept who isnt investing much into film and arts so taht training is provided by teh best in the field, even if we get overseas acting coaches, but for a start
Pahthu I think Phylicia Rashad (MRs Cosby)would have NAILED this role..as an older Winie..have you seen her in action.an maybe Kerry Washington(Ray) for a younger Winnie..
Phathu Makwarela on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 10:15 am
Sponono….yes, Phylicia Rashad would have been great…Enkosi..yes i watched Suburban Bliss…LOL.
Brown Shuga on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 10:57 am
Seputla did well in both his “Suburban Bliss” and “Bophelo Ke Semphekgo” role so he is definitely not just a one hit wonder.
I was LMAO @ Florence Masebe being the loudest one in this war coz I was like “Chikka please, you ain’t gonna be no Winnie”. She should try out for a role in the ANCYL, I’m sure she’d do well as Floyd Shivambu’s replacement or deputy.
Lillian Dube is a good actress, so was Roseline Morapedi…(eish, am gona cry now RIP).
As for who could play Winnie, hayi angazi…
Vesa on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 11:06 am
kwa kwa kwa kwa @ BS’s comments!!!! I was also LMAO at Florence….how could she?
Bee on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 12:28 pm
Practise makes perfect i believe. They must start small nje ngoVusi Twala. That guy is going far, he is goin to change iFilm industry yalapha watch da space becouse Shame iFilm industry yalapha sucks period. I like what they did with INVICTUS tho, ok they used uMatt&Morgan bt they blessed Tony Kgoroge with a good role.
Film industry yalapha ilele, they produce one film a year *yawn* i mean really now.
My top ten:Rapulane,Pamella Nomvete,Leleti,Kenneth Mashaba,Brenda Ngxoli,Xolile Tshabalala,James(David on Rythm C), Menzi Ngubane,Vathiswa Ndara and Zola.
Lerato on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 12:43 pm
In my opinion good actresses are : Brenda (home affairs), Nthathi Moshesh , Moshidi (Rythm City) & Vatiswa but I can’t see any of them being Winnie as for Therry Pheto I’m worried about her acting career , she is beautiful and she looks good on the Loreal ads. Other than Tsotsi what is she doing on the acting front…how long ago was Tsotsi…There is potential there but it concerns me that she is now more known as an model rather than actress at least she is making a living..
Lwandie on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 1:36 pm
Wooo Phathu I hope my response does not turn into a mini blog lol.I have been debating on the same issue with my friends, after a feature film entitled Mrs Mandela was aired on BBC this past week:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sARTtMaKUSo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFbV61QEnmA
Personally I have no problem with an African story being told through the eyes of an international actor/ess as long as the film makers take the time and decency to research their facts correctly and try to match as close as possible individuals who will bring out a convincing performance.Films like The Last King of Scotland,Hotel Rwanda and Blood Diamond(although the last two had a few factual errors)did an amazing job in my opinion and the leading characters really brought out convincing performances.
Sadly to date I can only think of one film that has come close to depicting South African history convincingly and that is Cry freedom-the rest have been so wish washy and cringe worthy(Good Bye Bafana and Skins come to mind).I just saw Invictus,and it is just adequate really,nothing mind blowing and saved mainly by Matt Damion and Morgan Freeman’s decent acting
Jen Hudson is so misplaced in the role of Winnie ,I think Kerry Washington could possibly play a younger Winnie well and maybe Jill Scott for the older version??.
I wouldn’t entirely agree that South Africa does not have any talent,I think the film industry in Africa is just not yet organised to a level that provides performers with the right resources to improve their skills.If you look at the biographies of most of these successful actors etc,they have been schooled and coached and a lot of time has been invested in making them who they are today and so they don’t approach their roles like a hobby.
The issue of versitility is not just an African one Phathu,very few actors world wide can actually be chamaelons-the majority have just perfected what they are best at-I mean can you imagine Hugh Grant as a gun wielding asassin.I guess if one can be the best in what they are good at then its fine.
sponono on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 1:40 pm
Which Vusi Twala you talkin about Bee..the one who brought us that Etv weekly drama crap..oh yeah he’s the next Spike Lee alright:<
Nogs on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 2:19 pm
moitheri Pheto can’t act period..some people are born lucky in this world and they are over rated for nothing…think the likes of Connie ferguson, Sophie Ndabs le Bo sonia sedibe ..they can’t act…at least Little Dinny has potential and her quiet confidence. I agree with …Moshidi motshegwa, Nambitha and them they can act…but the rest oawa bathong!!!!
kazisongo on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 2:24 pm
Eish Bee I didn’t know Tony Kgoroge got a part in Invictus bengizoya ngigijima, that reminds me I must go watch Skin. Whatever happened to Motshabi, i think she can be more convincing as Winnie. If they have to go for an American then my choice would be Angela Basset
Bee on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 2:34 pm
@Sponono, yes darly we r talking abt one person here and i still say what i was sayin ‘watch da space’. Every1 starts small.
sponono on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 2:53 pm
OK Bee…I’m gonna give him a chance..coz I’d love to be given a chance meself if and when I do ventrue into directin/acting
Nogs I agree with you about all the rest except for Sonya Mbhele Sedibe I think she also has potential..that girl can pull a tantrum/cry and sashays into a room like no one on tv..Katlego was gret to watch in Backstage…she’s hot I hope Rapulana will have her in their next movie Paradise.
sponono on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 2:55 pm
kazisongo..you’ll go to watch Toni in Invictus, only to find taht yilegenge edlulayo nje!!!!…LOL…just like that guy from Zone14 he also got a role in District 9,question is was it a ROLE or just a role-nyana….LOL
Kazisongo on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 3:18 pm
Hawu sponono uBee said they blessed him with a good role mos!
Ma'shwam'shwam on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 7:03 pm
I think BRENDA NGXOLI is the BEST FEMALE ACTRESS IN THE COUNTRY. She would execute the role of Winnie PERFECTLY because she is a multi-faceted actress who BECOMES the role she is given
Sthe on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 7:56 pm
Most people of Generations cannot act,period…I mean,SHARON,GLADYS,KHETHIWE,AJAX and the likes yawn,yawn,yawn…now cuming 2 those who can act and are underestimated….KEKETSO SEMOKO,MOSHIDI MOTSHEGWA,NTHATI MOSHESH,BRENDA NGXOLI,STELLA isidingo…need I say more?….It sickens me dat ppl lyk Sophie Ndaba and Sonia Sedibe,though I may not dispute their gud crafts,win SAFTAs lyk evry year…when,BRENDA or NTHATI have no accolade from the sick SABC dominated awards
Phathu Makwarela on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 8:24 pm
Sthe…what has E-TV produced that is worthy of a SAFTA? LOL
Sthe on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 8:29 pm
Rhythm city and Scandal!
Sthe on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 8:32 pm
@Phathu n I bet u think the soapie dat u write for is worthy of awards or gud actors,ryt?…LOL
Phathu Makwarela on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 8:48 pm
No comment Sthe.
Bee on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 11:09 pm
@Sponono.Hayi,hayi Sponono ngiyakhuza. UTony uyadlala la phaya.
bee on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 12:58 am
@sponono.as a President’s bodyguard hawu.
sponono on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 10:04 am
Phathu ..now you cant comment without people refering to “that other” show you write for…mnc!lol
neeways etv, hasnt really done much in local content/dramas
Phathu Makwarela on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 10:14 am
Sponono…yes, i dont think that “other show” deserves awards..it has a long way to go before it becomes worthy..for reasons i shall not divulge here….LOL
tzhavile on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 11:09 am
those that i lyk would be brenda and nthati….but for the profit sake, the way in which Jen Hudson put soul in everything that she does, i am going to sacrifice my R33 and watch it.
Enkosi on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 11:33 am
How could I forget Mlangeni Nawa aka Bra Zeb, I think he’s brilliant as well as Keketso Semoko.
kazisongo on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 11:40 am
I agree bra Zeb is good.Remember him in Sgudi snaysi as Laqhasha?
sponono on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 12:00 pm
did y’all read about Parsons drama when he marched into some offices demandin to know why he was taken off contrall and mae a call actor…shem I felt bad when he mentioned his bnd, kids, debts, shem leave Parsons alone, he aint bad…he’s like the guy next door (of course he should ahev expected anything in this bzness)
Kabzan on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 1:13 pm
i think Pamela Nomvete can act…just that she exagerated the characters she used to play. if she cools down a bit..she is good. As for who shud play Winnie: i dont know.
I disagree about Bonnie Henna: I think she is a BRILLIANT actress.Period!
other good actors: Moshidi(Naomi ko Rhythm City) , Vatiswa Ndara, Vusi Kunene,Ferry Jele (gay in Society, believe it or not Connie Ferguson & Seputla can act!
Nogs on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 2:12 pm
LOl at Generations actors…..full of mediocrity shame!!!
Kgotso on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 4:52 pm
What an awful article… honestly disagree with most the opinions in this one….. -1 for you.
Phathu Makwarela on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 4:57 pm
Kgotso…ouch, I think you are missing the point….the article is meant to generate debate…so its much helpful when u note down your opinions…read the responses, must people do not agree with me and they give valid points why…that is what healthy debate is about. Stay well….
sponono on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 5:29 pm
why do most South African continue to support mediocrecy and are not open to challenging debates and to questioning art not everything written should sound like a Drum brown-nosing article sometimes we need to ask ourselves if we are contributing positively by celebrating what is supposedly artisting or talent without questioning it…in fact the same question in the article could be asked about music in SA..e.g who’s realy doing great quality music…but then the article will be called awful..
Phathu Makwarela on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 5:36 pm
Sponono..u are right, i think Kgotso represents those people who are not open to fair debate, they become defensive and lash out without putting facts on the table.
MaGeza-1 on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 9:32 pm
Bonnie Henna….whr is she? Under which rock are the Henna’s hidin? I know they where on some spiritual crusade in Somerset West in CT. JC update on this please…
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Schantell on Wed, 21st Apr 2010 2:11 pm
I have no qualms with South African actors & actresses, what i do have a problem with is, when someone dies in Generations, they appear in another soapie. unless u lucky, u wont get anywhere – i have huge talent, havent been given a change although i have starred in a few advertisments – stop complaining and give the rest of the talented South Africans a chance