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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
RHYTHM City star Zintle Ncipa says there is no substitute for formal training for one to break into the film industry in South Africa and make money off it.Ncipa, who plays the character of Kamo, a go-getting hair salon owner who is a straight talker on the soapie, was in the country at the weekend for a theatre play — the First Christmas by Victory Fellowship.

The actress, who was born in Port Elizabeth, said there was nothing that beats formal training in acting as it makes one know their worth as an artiste.

“I once talked to someone from Zimbabwe who was on the set of Rhythm City. He said when he came to South Africa, he found it difficult to get a well paying job as an actor.

“It was only after he went for training and graduated that he started getting call ups and making money. He said he could now speak the language of value in the market,” she said.

Because of formal training, Ncipa said she could dictate what she could earn and which roles she could play.

“I’m not any other actress who is looking for a job, but I’m a professional actress who you’ve to sit down with. So for you to get to that level, you’ve to have that acting education,” she said.

Ncipa said when someone does a cinema movie one becomes an A-Lister who earns a lot of money from appearance fees and call ups to play roles.

“When someone does a cinema movie in South Africa like me who has done two, they become an A-list actress or actor. You can demand between 10,000 and 15,000 rands per call.

“Also people can pay appearance fees of between 50,000 to 100,000 rands depending on who you are,” she said.

Turning to her role on Rhythm City, Ncipa    said her character was a feisty person who was a straight talker which was a direct opposite to her in real life.

“I’m actually a shy person who is involved in the youth cell of my church in Port Elizabeth.  I also train youths in theatre and drama during weekends and use that to encourage the youth.

“I tell them that no matter what, no one can take away your talent no matter who it is,” she said.