When TV and film actress Zikhona Bali won her first international accolade last month, it was a case of life imitating life.
Bali, who stars as a lead in Thando, always imagined herself being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey after winning an international award. She was just 10 years old at the time. She used to practice her responses not knowing that one day her dream will become a reality. Now that she won the best actress award at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema in California, US, she is thrilled.
The actress won the best actress award with her latest film Thando. The film, that is directed by Kagiso Modupe, premiered at cinemas on April 8.
Bali, who is also appearing in DiepCity, chats to Sowetan about her recent successes in both Thando and When the Sun Set (Lakutshon’ilanga). For the 34-year-old Gqeberha-born actress, it still feels like a dream.
“It has been amazing. I don’t how I am feeling, I am excited and nervous at the same time. It has not sunk in yet that I have won. I think I will start bragging about winning an award next month. There was a time where I got nominated in the South African Film and TV Awards and I did not win. From then, awards did not matter to me. When it happened last month I had never expected it.
“I never anticipated that both films that I am acting in as lead will do this well internationally. This takes me back to by childhood memories where I will sit in a toilet at my grandmother’s house and imagine being a star. I will rehearse how I will answer questions after winning. I can’t believe that it is happening to me in reality.”
Thando is Bali’s second lead role in a film. Her first lead came in When the Sun Set (Lak’utshon’ilanga) that won an award at the 49th Annual Student Academy Awards in New York. According to Bali, the two roles came at the right time when she was dying to tell stories that have a purpose. Though Thando is a heavy storyline, the actress enjoyed playing the role. The character took her back during the days where she was called mnyamana (dark-skinned girl) by other kids.
“[In Thando] I have to be this young girl who is experiencing a troubled life and living with her grandmother in the township. She then gets exposed to the life of 'blessers' and falls pregnant. She is being bullied at school to a point that she wants to kill herself. Preparing for the role was different because I had to relive the days I was teased by kids at school because I was dark and skinny. That left me with emotional scars.
“Since I used to complain to my grandparents [about the bullying] they started telling me how beautiful I am. By the time I went to high school I was confident. I knew that dark skin is beautiful. With Thando, I was able to tap into that. The film tackles an important issue that is happening in our schools. Children tease each other about colourism, privileges and weight.”
Though she was not aware, Bali always loved everything that has to do with appearing on TV. Watching Generations as she was growing up made her to fall in love with actors like Pamela Nomvete and Connie Ferguson.
“I remember asking my grandparents how people get inside the TV when I was young. I used to watch Generations and imitate actors because I was fascinated by acting. But I never knew I can earn a living out of acting. I did drama at high school and even directed one of the plays. My class teacher who had noticed my talent even told my grandparents that I should do drama but they were concerned that acting was not a stable [career].”
When she completed her matric, Bali’s grandparents refused her to pursue acting because they thought it wasn't a stable career path. When she arrived in Johannesburg, Bali studied journalism at Boston Media House and did her brief internship with Sowetan newspaper. Though she was in journalism her heart was still in acting because she also attended auditions while studying.
Her first appearance on TV was, ironically, in Generations as an extra which she says she was not happy about. Her second TV appearance was in Rhythm City where she shot only one scene because nerves got the better of her. Her biggest role was in Mfolozi Street on SABC1, and from then on she appeared in shows like Zabalaza and Gauteng Maboneng. Like most other actors, at some point she went for months without a job but she never thought of going back to journalism.
“Things started slowly and I knew I had to be patient but when they opened up it felt good. Before I could get a big role I tried my luck in everything. At some point I was a bartender, taught English with audio for Asia and was also a public relations assistant.”
Currently, Bali is appearing in DiepCity, playing the role of Asanda, a two-faced Mamfundisi. She says in the new season, Ayanda’s life will be full of drama as she face life challenges.
Fact File
Favourite music: Anything good
Favourite artist: Jacob Banks
Favourite food: African traditional food
Favourite Emoji: Heart
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