*Zenzo Ngqobe scoops Best Actor award in Canada, for role in Botswana film: “My win is for Africa!”

* On whether his win is a win for Botswana or South Africa: “It’s a win for Africa!”

* Co-actor Ramatudung on Ngqobe: “Zenzo deserves it! Working with him was great.”

* Kaone Kario loses Best Actress race to American actress: “The journey has been affirming for me.”

* Co-actor Tulani Theo Tau: “Foreign investment can propel our film industry forward.”

CattlePost Films

11 July, 2023

TORONTO, Canada

Zenzo Ngqobe scooped the Best Actor award in Canada this past Sunday to tremendous cheer on social media. The veteran actor took to social media to thank his on-screen wife Kaone Kario over the weekend.

Ngqobe has won the Best Actor Award for his role as Kebakile in “Partly Cloudy & Hot,” a high-profile Botswana short film written and executive-produced by Donald Molosi. 

Ngqobe, a Motswana from South Africa, was announced Best Actor at a glitzy red-carpet ceremony in Toronto, Canada this past weekend. The event was held at Panemonte Banquet Centre partly hosted by the Black Actors Guild of Canada.

In “Partly Cloudy & Hot,” a husband’s masculinity is tested when his wife hands him a male fertility test.

The film has been hailed as a turning point in the Botswana film industry.

According to the film’s Executive Producer Donald Molosi, “Zenzo has just beaten international, American and Canadian talent while performing completely in Setswana. I hope that this inspires us, speakers of this dying language, to use it more in life and in art.”

Thulani Theo Tau is one of the Batswana supporting actors in the film and he is quick to reassure Batswana that PCH proves Botswana talent. As a Motswana actor, Tau says that “the Botswana film industry is growing. I do believe that we are capable of making our own films. At the same time, foreign investment would help grow the industry.”

Although she was nominated for Best Actress in Canada as well, supermodel Kaone Kario did not win. 

She, however, says that, “Batswana are already out there doing the professional film work. The question is whether Batswana are ready to support fellow Batswana. I am supported around the world but not at home. I grieve this.”

“Partly Cloudy & Hot” marks Kaone Kario’s film debut. Asked on which actors she would like to share the screen with next, she said: “Abena Ayivor, Lupita Nyongo, Warren Masemula and Mahershala Ali…those are some of the people I would love to work with.”

In “Partly Cloudy & Hot,” Poloko Gladys Morobolo plays a church-mate to Kaone Kario’s character. Morobolo was excited when her co-star Ngqobe was announced a winner this weekend.

Morobolo says, “Zenzo Ngqobe is someone I grew up watching on TV. To work with him on the same set was wonderful. I loved the most how calm and focused he is on set. He continually stays in character between takes which I find absolutely beautiful.”

Zenzo Ngqobe is best known for his roles in “Tsotsi” which won an Oscar, “Blood Diamond” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and “Long Walk to Freedom” starring Idris Elba.

The award-winning actor spoke about his win over the weekend, “Mostly when I do my work I don’t think awards…I try my best to embody the role, whatever comes out of it. This Best Actor award means that my work is recognized and I embrace that.”

Ngqobe, who flew to Gaborone to shoot the film last year says that PCH is a global story. He attributes that to its resonance on every continent.

“PCH is a global story…if it inspires someone out there it’s good thing. This short film shows how we interconnect in life as humans,” explains the 39 year-old actor.

Given that Zenzo Ngqobe is a Motswana but carries South African citizenship, the actor was asked whether his award is a Botswana win or a South African win. He emphatically stated, “My win is for Africa. I am for Africa. Both South Africa and Botswana are home to me. I still don’t really know what separates them. This win is for Africa because I am for Africa.”

 Ngqobe, Molosi and Kario are expected to attend the film’s South African premiere next month at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga.