Actress Nandi Mbatha on life after Isithembiso

Nandi Mbatha is one of the most talented upcoming actresses in the Mzansi entertainment sector and ever since stepped into the spotlight fans can’t get enough of her, she always keeps them glued to the screens trying to figure out her next move.

Nandi who suffers from anxiety and for her fear of being in the crowds is best known for her starring role as Simlindile “Simi” Ngema, in the Mzansi Magic telenovela Isithembiso. She was diagnosed with the disorder in 2010.

With Isithembiso coming to an end, most people are left wondering what would be becoming of their young and lovely actress who took the industry by storm as the naive 18-year-old who was university bound after having just passed matric.

While her followers are still stuck in that scenario, the actress who studied Political Science before dumping the course for the entertainment industry as she ventured into the acting and modelling is now looking forward to expanding her horizon.

Her entry into the industry three years ago made her an instant hit with fans and never to look back.

“We were blessed with three seasons of the show. Having been a 20-year-old with no acting experience before this big role, I believe my story was different and I stayed true to who I am as a person and I believe that contributed to my landing in the industry,” she told Move magazine.

THE LAST SCENE

The self confessed feminist who is in love with the colour Pink is not even worried that the show is coming to a close and is more than ready for her next challenge. “It feels surreal in a good way! Now I get the opportunity to explore myself and my abilities. I like change so I’m ready,” said Nandi.

She and her character are worlds apart, but owing to her prowess in acting, she switches effortlessly when need be. “Having to swap between her and I a lot, in those moments, it was just much easier to be her,” she said.

Not only that veteran actors like Hamilton Dlamini and Meshack Mavuso, are some of those who inspired her to understand the whole acting thing, one of her directors was instrumental in getting to know her character better.

“One of the directors on Isithembiso, Lufuno [Nekhabambe], helped me understand Simi in ways I wouldn’t have thought of. I never understood her decisions and reasons to just cry because her and I are so different!” She said.

SHOWBIZ

“It’s been an interesting few years in the spotlight, and it wasn’t a hard adjustment. I’m naturally the type of person who would not go for handouts or to have my hand held by someone who’s influential. I see it as a blessing, it makes me work that much harder. It makes me more grateful and my achievements much sweeter,” she said.

NEW BEGINNINGS

Nandi has another fish to fry as she waits for her next acting role, she has a modelling partnership with fashion designer Quiteria Atelier and this has witness her flying to Paris to promote the products.

“Walking in Paris wasn’t different to walking at SA Menswear Week. Just different surroundings and languages. My experience in Paris made me want to make sure I achieve what I need to so that going to Paris or New York becomes the norm for me career wise,” she said.

“The opportunity to see how other people move was interesting! Nobody really cares about who you are and what you can do, they want to see the hard work you put into it! What I’ve learnt has been an amazing highlight for my career because then I was able to identify open spaces, now I can work towards them and perfect my craft the way I want to,” she added.

The Isithembiso actress is madly in love with junior creative director of Quiteria Atelier, Mpho Motsi. The two lovebirds are not ashamed to let the world know about their romance.

Nandi and Mpho met on the job and their love is still going strong in leaps and bounds. “Nandi came to the Quiteria Atelier studio for fittings. We got talking and it turned out that we had a lot in common,” Mpho told Drum magazine the other day.

Her love with Mpho came at the back of her failed relationship with Tellaman. She reportedly broke up with Tellaman who hardly had time for her.