Since taking part in the Nigerian/South African movie, Man on Ground, directed by Akin Omotoso, South African actress, Thishiwe Ziqubu, has been on the rise. In this interview with Assistant Life Editor, TERH AGBEDEH, during the just-concluded Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) in South Africa, she talks about her career and her role in Hard to Get, which opened the festival, among other things
Was ‘Man on Ground’ your first film?
Thishiwe Ziqubu
Yeah, that was my first film.
How different is it from Hard to Get?
It is incredibly different. Man on Ground was a very internal exploration of social issues. I really enjoyed playing Zodwa. It was such a learning experience for me. I was thrown into the deep end playing with artistes like Fana Mokoena and Hakeem Kae-Kazim. It was an honour. It really groomed me.
Hard to Get is a totally different film. Obviously, the exploration of a character is always incredibly internal. Skiets was a very complex character with many internal issues that she is struggling with. Exploring them was quite intense, but it was also a very physical film, very dynamic, fast-paced. So, in terms of genre, they are two different films. Approaching a character in such films is never the same. I think no two films are the same in how you approach the characters. So I am very glad to be exploring such varied roles because you don’t want to be put in a box as an actor.
This is reportedly the fourth film you have done; is that correct?
I was asked the same question this morning. I have done three television films, which are also feature-length but 50 minutes. Much shorter. So, actually, I realise this morning that you can’t put them in the same box. Hard to Get is my second feature-length film and I have done three television films.
I did a film called His Majesty’s Building. Experimental. The director took a lot of risks, which was great. And then I did two films for ETV which were romantic comedies. Again, very different genres. A lot of fun.
What were you doing before Man on Ground?
I was hiding in an alley (laughter).
You were what?
Hiding in an alley (laughter). I am joking. I was writing, still writing, actually. I studied scriptwriting and directing after high school. I went to AFDA. AFDA is a film school. There is one in Johannesburg and Cape Town. I studied at the one in Johannesburg. I have always wanted to act, but I am actually a very shy person; very shy, very insecure. So I was always very afraid.
Shy person, and you did Hard to Get with all those racy scenes in front of the crew?
Yes. You see, you grow and you throw yourself into those situations because you have to. So, acting, I would say, found me.
Your dad was there to watch ‘Hard to Get’. Did that make you feel like the ground should open and swallow you up when those scenes came up?
Yes, yes. I cringed in many moments. To be honest, I knew it would make him extremely uncomfortable; so I didn’t invite him. He found his way and called me to say he was outside and I had to go get him. He was very proud, very supportive; but it was too much for him, and understandably so. It is quite explicit; if I was a father, I would not want to see my little girl like that.
Have you done any television series?
Yes, I have done a Canadian miniseries called The Book of Negroes. It is based on an amazing book also by the same title. It is like a slavery epic; the story of one woman who was taken abroad as slave, but she is a very inspirational character. She learns how to read and returns to Africa, but realises she can’t even live because it is just another route to be taking slave again. So, I played the mother of that character when she was a youth.
How about series in South Africa – there is a lot of them; is your interest not in them?
Yeah, there is a lot of television content here, but I have not done television that much. I did a small support role in Endgame, but I haven’t done television or soap.
What is responsible for that?
I don’t know (laughter). They don’t want to cast me. I am not a big fan of soap operas. However, I would like to do really strong drama series like Jacob’s Cross. But I have actually never, because it is such a new journey for me. I suppose I haven’t had that opportunity as yet.
Do you feel like you are on a rollercoaster?
Of course, I feel like that now since Hard to Get came out. The past three days have been a rollercoaster. So yeah, but it is nice; it is thrilling.
You have done something with the Canadians. Does that mean you are open to international projects?
Definitely! I would love any opportunity to work globally because I see myself not as a South African artiste; I see myself as a global artiste and I would love any and every opportunity to engage with audiences the world over, especially Africa. But this continent is my priority.
DIFF has held for 35 years. How many editions have you attended?
Funny enough, I used to work for the festival when I was still in film school. I have always thought it very important to not just be about film school to get into the actual industry and stuff. So the only way I found to do that when I was still like 18 I used to volunteer for the festival, the people that get work all over during the festival; showing you where to go, getting attitude from those really arrogant filmmakers. I was that person. Every year during the summer, I did that. So I have had quite a long relationship with the festival.
Then after film school, because there were no jobs in writing, I was working in project coordination for the festival.
That means you are working on a script for a film that you will do sometime in the future?
Definitely yes, I am actually working on my feature film script now. So I am trying to push that hassle as well.
Have you been to other festivals?
Yes, with Man on Ground, we travelled quite a lot. Man on Ground was such a lovely experience. It premiered in Toronto, so we attended, Dubai too.
How about Nigeria.
No, Akin did no hook it up (laughter). I did come to Lagos though for the AMVCAs (Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards), where I got a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. I love Lagos.
Five years from now, what do you hope to have achieved?
So much! In five years, we would have made this feature that we spoke of, and subsequent features. I put myself up as a director, too, because I know that your first film will be your first film; you are not going to suddenly become Martins Scorsese. I am willing to give myself the time to make the first mistakes. I want to be realistic about it, but I want to be brilliant as well.
I am hoping that in the next five years, I would have grown much better as an actress, transformed myself and the craft itself. I think it is very important for artistes to keep working at the craft. For example, musicians always practice. I think it is the exact thing. So I want to keep nurturing myself and my body as the tool.
If a younger person in your family comes up to you to say I want to be an actress, what would you advise?
My daughter actually is saying that to me now and I am like, ‘are you sure?’ (laughter). What would I say to her? I would say that she must make sure that it is about the right thing; that it is not just about wanting to be famous, to see yourself on television, or on the cover of a magazine. It must be about the craft, about wanting to explore the human condition. If she can examine her intention for wanting to do it, then I will say go for it. Work from the heart, be okay with being vulnerable. Acting is an inside work; it is not outside as Hollywood has often taught us to believe.
