Cape Town - From Khayelitsha to Blood Psalms, theatre and television actress Awethu Hleli is making big moves in South Africa’s entertainment industry.
Her childhood nickname “Boomshaka”, derived from the timeless ’90s pop group, was given to her by Khayelitsha residents for her star quality that is now manifesting as a reality.
Born to a single mother, Hleli knew she had to be number one.
The UCT drama graduate shares how her big strides have now earned her the approval of her Khayelitsha counterparts, who all agree that she has truly made her mark.
“I wake up every morning and realise that I’m living my dream. In all the craziness of this industry, I am still standing,” Hleli shares. She further shares how she believes her acting talent is a gift from the heavens and cannot treat it carelessly.
Hleli paints a grim picture of growing up in Khayelitsha, where many mothers on her street were alcoholics. She further shares how every week there was gang-related death, shootings and rape. Violence filled the air and the only high standard of excellence was a matric certificate.
Her dreams of one day being a star were moulded by the community, particularly a man who lived near her grandmother’s home, who formed a drama youth group that she was in. Despite being much younger than the other members, her ability to steal the limelight – even winning every beauty pageant – was proof that she was born for greatness.
It wasn’t until her Grade 2 teacher, Gwen Engelbrecht – the mother of Emmy-nominated actress Kim Engelbrecht – identified her shining light that Hleli truly felt validated of her calling.
From playing Nosisi in South Africa’s first boxing film, which was the 2019 South African selection at the Academy Awards, to her recent offering on DStv Showmax’s “Blood Psalms”, in which she plays Ilitye from the Amachibi tribe, Hleli never fails to deliver stellar performances.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I’d be in a marvel/epic set in pre-colonial times.” “Blood Psalms”, which took more than $550 000 for its post-production, has seen it trend weekly on Twitter, proving to be a true favourite among South Africans. Hleli is clearly destined for the stars as South Africa waits with bated breath for her upcoming film debut, “You’re My Favourite Place”, which was the closing film at the Durban International Film Festival. Hleli says: “For the longest time I dreamed of being Khayelitsha’s number one, and my dream came true.”