Amahle Khumalo talks about her role as Nosipho in Empini S2

Amahle Khumalo is having her biggest year yet. The rising star plays Nosipho Bhodoza in the drama series Empini, one of the 10 most streamed titles on Showmax last year.

She also stars in Homecoming, a compelling new telenovela from the award-winning Tshedza Pictures on Mzansi Wethu. It’s another major move in a career already marked by standout performances in hit shows like Mzali Wami and Erased.

Xabiso Ngqabe caught up with the magnetic young talent to talk about becoming Nosipho and filming emotionally intense scenes.

Nosipho comes from a well-off family, but inside, she’s falling apart. How did you tap into her emotional truth?

There are layers to Nosipho, and the first layer is the kind of family she comes from. She’s definitely her father’s daughter – trained to keep things in, to appear composed. Nosipho performs control; it’s all a performance for the world. It’s that thing where, when the door is closed, the curtains are drawn, and she’s in bed, she’s screaming into her pillow.

Tapping into that was difficult for me because I’m naturally very expressive. So playing someone who withholds so much was a challenge. People struggle to connect with her because she doesn’t reciprocate. If she’s fine with something, then everyone else should be too. It’s her way or the highway. Things get tricky when she steps into marriage and tries to do what her father did with her mother: train her partner. That’s where the tension builds. Every emotional action she takes is deliberate and well thought out.

What were your initial thoughts about Nosipho when you first read the script?

My initial thoughts on Nosipho were that she’s quite different from me but at the same time, we share certain similarities. And honestly, that’s what made my heart ache for her. She deeply wants to follow her own passions, but she was placed in a role she didn’t choose, forced to carry it out without question. Then, after dedicating her entire life to it, Zenzele comes and takes everything from her. I felt for her every time I read the script. She may be a character, but for me, she represents a real person – there’s someone out there living this exact reality right now.

You’ve had some powerful moments this season. Which one did enjoy filming the most?

There was a scene I did with Jabulani where Nosipho breaks down. That whole dynamic brought out a side of her that craves validation. She wanted Jabulani to love her, to see her, so badly. She just longed for a normal kind of love, and that’s something I could really relate to. The entire storyline with Jabulani hit me hard. Her trying to hold herself accountable, carrying the guilt of hurting someone she genuinely loves – that was heavy. Because she really does love Uhuru. The problem is, the environment of their marriage just isn’t conducive. She doesn’t want the overwhelming life that comes with the MPS. She just wants something real.

Your chemistry with Neo Ntlatleng (Uhuru) is incredibly compelling. What’s it like building that dynamic with him on screen?

Neo is such a giving performer and as an artist, it was my first time coming across him and we got along immediately. We are now even actual friends so it helps to connect on screen because even off screen we would play around and banter. On a performance level, I couldn’t have asked for a better on-screen partner to help me through. Neo is so true and giving but most importantly very honest in his performance. I don’t think South Africa is giving him enough flowers. He’s so amazing.

What’s the energy like behind the scenes on the Empini set? Any standout moments that stuck with you?

It’s always a vibe. We try our very best to stay connected. From the beginning, we made the decision that we’re in this show together and that we’ve got each other. The camaraderie is incredible. Whatever we do, we try to support one another – we even hang out off set, go to different places, and have fun. That’s what keeps us close. We’ve built a solid bond; we're like family. Being able to call on Nambitha Ben-Mazwi or Sandile Mahlangu means everything. I look up to Nambitha, and I remember opening up to her about how I’ve watched her on screen and how honoured I am to be working alongside her.

Watch the trailer for Empini S2

Catch Amahle Khumalo in her breakthrough role in Empini Season 2 – now streaming on Showmax. And don’t miss her role in Homecoming, the gripping new drama from Tshedza Pictures, airing on Mzansi Wethu, where she stars alongside SAFTA winner Thembinkosi Mthembu.