Actor Oros Mampofu is a rising star with a royal dilemma
|||Igazi’s Oros Mampofu plays a character of royal ancestry, but his modern philosophy conflicts with his traditional upbringing. Then there’s his sexuality, writes Debashine Thangevelo
FERGUSON Films have proved their Midas touch once again with Mzansi Magic’s Igazi. Strengthened by the stellar casting of South Africa’s top acting talent, it is a melting pot of tradition, ancestry, myth, witchcraft, greed and deception. That makes it a gripping drama at grassroots level.
What’s admirable is the fact that some of the most recognisable faces – like Thami Mngqolo, Peter Sephuma and Zikhona Sodlaka – play characters that don’t fit into their usual wholesome moulds. And, Mngqolo and Sodlaka, in particular, are persuasive in unleashing their characters’ inner darkness.
Amid the seismic shift in the storyline, where a throne awaits its rightful heir, there is the youngest son, Prince Phila Mbangatha (Oros Mampofu).
This 25-year-old stars in SABC1’s award-winning youthful soapie, Skeem Saam, in which he plays Jama. Of course, he has had a few breaks before Igazi; in SABC1’s Kowethu, and the made-for-TV movie, Rise, and he participated in Top Actor. That’s aside from doing a handful of TV commercials.
However, his baby steps in the industry have not gone unnoticed by executive producer Shona Ferguson, who favoured him for his current role.
Before delving further into him bagging the part, Mampofu shed light on what inspired him to follow such a cut-throat profession, more so with his religious upbringing with his apostle dad and mother.
He says: “My father is a very understanding person. What made it easier is my older sister, who is also in the industry. She studied at the New York Film Academy and Afda. She has a very rich entertainment and media background.”
What also helped was his parents’ openness and supportive natures.
He recalls: “They would always tell us (he has a twin brother and a younger sister) that we were meant to shine and were special.
“There was also, for me, the desire to explore the human condition. To find out what it means to be human and to witness/ experience it from all demographics and dynamics. That is where acting comes in. The field of entertainment opens all possibilities. That is the gift card for me,” he adds.
Looking back, Will Smith in Bad Boys 2 had some influence in his decision, too.
The Afda graduate recalls his strategy upon entering the industry with a voracious appetite to inhabit as many characters as possible. And he shared that with his friend and fellow graduate, Mabasa Msongelo.
“From when we graduated, we decided to go to every audition. What we were playing on was the numbers game. The more auditions, the greater our chances. We took a step-by-step process. The day we got the brief, we would come together and run down what the script was about. We would write a backstory on the character. After that, we would do an audition a day before the actual one. We tried to live in the space of the audition. In that way, we would be ready.
“I came across Igazi by going to the casting by Ferguson Films. Shona liked me from the word ‘go’, so I considered myself lucky.”
Peeling back the layers of his reticent character, he notes: “He is very misunderstood. The conflict that he is dealing with is that he is not like anybody else. And if he expresses himself, they won’t accept him. So he chooses to go into his own bubble. He is the type of individual who would rather stay connected to people via social media.
“He loves his music and is very up-to-date with what’s going on in the world. I think that is his coping mechanism – especially with him struggling to come out to his family.
He continues: “He has a big brother, Jonga, and an older sister. But she is more his step- sister (born to the king’s first wife).”
Interestingly, the king, who is steeped in tradition, is more forward-thinking than expected. And he is not only patient with Phila, he is surprisingly understanding of his youngest child, which is a far cry from his mother, who is more obsessed with Jonga and his ascension to the throne.
Among his co-stars, Mampofu is the one with the least experience. But everyone on set has kindly imparted their knowledge to this hungry newcomer.
Meanwhile, his Skeem Saam character is about to undergo a journey of his own.
He hints: “There are some interesting themes and subtexts that he will be dealing with. He meets demons he never considered to be present. And he is challenged by Joburg itself.”
As for the space the actor is in now, he says: “I consider myself a very ambitious person. The brand of ‘Oros’ has grown within such a short space of time. It’s been an interesting and amazing journey, where I have had to learn and adjust. There is also the beauty within it where I’m learning and seeing my reality meet my aspirations in so many ways.”
Of course, best you tune into to Igazi because, aside from Phila’s emotional struggles, there is a storm brewing for his family.
Igazi airs on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) on Sundays at 8pm.