By Ntombi Mhlongo
Having scored an acting role on the new Mzansi Magic sitcom, Lenyalo Hase Papadi, the sky is the limit for Eswatini-born businesswoman, musician, and actor Nomzamo ‘Zamo’ Dlamini.
The sitcom started airing on January 9, 2023, and Dlamini plays the role of Faith.
The 13-part sitcom follows the drama that ensues after Desmond (Meshack Mavuso Magabane) and Mpho (Mapaseka Koetle) decide to end their marriage, and try to navigate a new life of co-parenting, family, finances and attempting to date – all while still living under the same roof.
According to the sitcom’s profile, the story begins when one of the lead characters, Mpho, 40, believes it’s the perfect time to end her 15-year marriage to Desmond. After being a devoted wife and mother to their two children, she has reached a breaking point and asks for a divorce from Desmond.
Expecting a smooth process, things take a dramatic – and sometimes funny – turn when Mpho realises she cannot afford to move out of their marital home as the divorce process unfolds, and neither can her husband.
Both are trapped while trying to start a new life without each other. Most people know Zamo as a successful musician who proved how talented she was when she became part of South Africa’s award-winning gospel giants Joyous Celebration.
However, she has always been passionate about theatre, and she says this is the reason why she always grabs an acting role with both hands. Speaking about her latest role, she says days before it premiered she was a bit nervous. However, she was motivated by the fact that she believed that she had done her best during the shoot.
“The most important thing is that I am excited at the fact that they allowed me to express myself in SiSwati,” she told the Eswatini Financial Times.
She mentioned that she was more than humble to act alongside some of the biggest names in the South African industry including Meshack Mavuso. Like all other artists, she believes that her current role will open more doors for her, especially in the acting industry.
“I want to believe that there is room for more doors to open. I mean, coming from my theatre background I have so much to learn and there is definitely a lot of growth to come,” she says.
Besides acting and music, Zamo is a successful businesswoman as she runs her beauty parlour under the tag ‘Spotless by Zamo’. The business deals with supplying the latest in hair products and offers beauty services like manicures and pedicures.
Speaking about the business, she says the idea came about following the Covid-19 pandemic which made life difficult for artists.
“I founded this make-up studio in February 2021and it is based in Midrand. We offer a variety of services including make-up and tutorials for those who want to learn. The whole project has been a blessing for me as it has grown and helped me survive when life was tough as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Just like in the acting role, she believes that she can still grow as an entrepreneur.
In all her success, Zamo says she is forever grateful to emaSwati for supporting her and making her shine outside the borders.
“From my days as a pupil at St Theresa’s High School, I have always received a lot of support. This has made me confident to spread my wings and make everyone who supported me proud.”
