When Nambitha Ben-Mazwi told a friend she was gunning for Netflix next at the Queen Sono launch in 2019, little did she know that three years later she would be making history as the only South African to have starred in six Netflix productions to date.
"God listened hey. I pray about everything because for me what I do [acting] is such a purpose work… So it was manifestation, God, everything," she says.
The 33-year-old adds to her count Netflix's newest series Savage Beauty, scheduled to premier on May 12.
Her previous work on the streaming network were Happiness Ever After, Black Mirror, How to Ruin Christmas, Diamond City and Dead Places.
"I am a big believer in speaking things into existence because words have so much power. But I didn't expect it to go as far as now having six credits and being the only South African but that is also just God's hand," she says.
"This is by far my best work. I am so excited about the show, not only for what it stands for but for what Linda Bengu's [her character] story is.
"This is such a cryptic show to describe because there are so many twists and turns, you are at the edge of your seat, the suspense but it is exciting and high pace."
Savage Beauty is based on the elite Bengu family who own a beauty empire built on a lot of secrets.
Linda is the daughter of Don Bengu who only met her dad later in life. She longs for acceptance from her dad while also proving herself to him as she is gunning for the CEO position.
"This story is going to open up a much-needed conversation, a conversation that I am extremely passionate about as an advocate for dark skin magi… It's going to open up very controversial conversations about beauty and beauty standards."
Mazwi is a business science honours degree holder with years of corporate background.
She says this character took her out of her comfort zone from her previous work.
