Prince Chauke

Prince Chauke

Dineo Nchabeleng, who plays Angela in the popular soapie Generations, will now be seen in the internationally acclaimed movie Beat the Drum, which opens locally tomorrow.

The young actress, now 14, was just nine years old and some months when the movie was shot in 2002.

The film has enjoyed worldwide exposure since its overseas release and is now coming home for its countrywide opening.

To date, it has won 27 international awards, including the best feature film awards at the Urban Film Festival in New York and the Monaco International Film Festival.

Nchabeleng plays alongside South African acting giants Owen Sejake, Nthati Moshesh and others.

Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, she said: "Beat the Drum was my first movie and it was an awesome experience.

"It felt great to act alongside Sejake and Moshesh and I learnt a great deal from them about making acting a career and the discipline that goes with it. It was a springboard for my acting career as a whole.

"Generations and Beat the Drum have provided me with amazing mentors and the sky is the limit now. My future plans are to be in another movie."

Though its primary theme is HIV-Aids and its effects on one particular black family, Beat the Drum also manages to convey a refreshing, well-crafted and honest look at how people from all races, social groups and ages are affected by the disease.