Aviwe Ngabom, of Despatch, became a familiar face playing Avukile in the Afrikaans telenovela Arendsvlei, and now he is moving on to new heights with a Netflix movie.
After two seasons, the 25-year-old made his final appearance on the show earlier in 2023.
But, after responding to a Facebook post, he managed to land a role on The Queenstown Kings.
Directed by the lauded Jahmil XT Qubeka and produced by Layla Swart, The Queenstown Kings tells the story of the heartfelt journey of Fezile Gigaba, a 16-year-old football prodigy with big aspirations.
The movie delves into themes of family, community and the transformative power of sports, resonating deeply with its audience.
Ngabom said he saw a Facebook post from Yellowbone Entertainment announcing auditions for the flick.
“Convinced that I was well suited, I reached out to my agent at Mehlareng Agency to verify its authenticity.
“Upon confirmation, I auditioned for the lead role of Fezile Gigaba in 2021, and a year later I received a callback indicating that I had been shortlisted.
“I vividly remember a significant moment in my journey — it was just after my birthday on April 2 2022, while on a bus to Cape Town with a brief stopover in Swellendam.
“I subscribed to Netflix and shared my belief with Antonio May, who was also travelling with me, that I would soon appear on Netflix.
To my astonishment, a few minutes later, I received a call from my agent confirming my selection by Yellowbone Entertainment for a Netflix feature film.”
Ngabom said working with Swart and Qubeka had been a dream come true.
“Zolisa Xaluva and Thembekile Komani, my industry role models, were also part of the project, which left me elated.
“In the film, my portrayal of Zidane Tshotsha, a soccer player wearing the number 10 jersey, wasn’t far removed from my role as Avukile Makwethu in Arendsvlei.
“Both characters share a common trait — an unwavering desire to do what’s best for their friends.”
The film was primarily shot in Komani and Johannesburg.
“Balancing work between the two productions was demanding.
“I often used my flight time for script review and catching brief moments of rest in the production vehicle.
“Despite occasional scheduling conflicts, I was committed.
“Remarkably, I delivered one-take performances consistently, and I commend Yellowbone Entertainment for treating me with the professionalism I had long aspired to experience.
“It marked a turning point in my career, where I felt valued and prioritised as an actor.”
He added that he planned to return to Gqeberha for Gqeberha: The Empire.
“As the youngest [known] actor from our region to make an appearance on Netflix, I am enthusiastic about the prospect of joining the show, which is geographically close to home.”
Yellowbone Entertainment’s Neo Moretlwe confirmed that The Queenstown Kings would premiere on Netflix on November 17.
HeraldLIVE
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