Ncebakazi Pilingane on depression and playing Eva on ‘DiepCity’. Image via Twitter @Nashie920
Ncebakazi Pilingane: ‘Playing Eva in ‘DiepCity’ saved me from depression’
Talented actress Ncebakazi Pilingane – who played Eva in ‘DiepCity’ chats about her character, depression and her addiction to alcohol.
Ncebakazi Pilingane on depression and playing Eva on ‘DiepCity’. Image via Twitter @Nashie920
Talented actress Ncebakazi Pilingane – who played Eva in Diepcity opens up about her character and overcoming depression.
The 29-year-old actress played a psychotic Mamfundisi (female preacher) who was determined to wreck pastor Charleston’s marriage to Asa.
NCEBAKAZI PILINGANE: ‘DEPRESSION AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION’
Actress Ncebakazi Pilingane – who played the villainous role of Eva on Diepcity recently opened up about her character, her childhood, and depression with Drum Magazine.
Ncebakazi Pilingane grew up in Kraaifontein, Western Cape around traditional healers who would sit outside the house playing music through umrhube and uhadi while also showing off their dancing skills through ukuxhentsa.
She realised her calling for the arts in Grade 5 during Arts and Culture class and co-wrote her first play.
She’s had a lot of obstacles thrown at her such as cutting her studies short at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and AFDA and being haunted by a sexual assault incident.
“One of my classmates wrote a play where a young woman was being sexually assaulted in the bushes and it brought back a lot of memories.”
“I didn’t attend my graduation at the market theatre because I was sinking in depression and alcohol.”
Things started to finally look up for her when she landed the role, which she hopes will launch her screen career.
Also read:‘DiepCity’: Lebohang Mpyana discusses her on-screen romance with Ringo
Also read:‘DiepCity’ Review: Troubled Nox can’t raise bail money for Bonga
PLAYING THE PSYCHOTIC EVA
The DiepCity actress tells the publication that she’s grateful for the role as it has made the last seven years of hustling all worth it.
“Eva and I have a fighting and strong spirit and I enjoyed playing her because she challenged me.”
“Eva is a psychopath, and she stands her ground if she wants something, she will go after it.”
Pilingane watched psychological films such as Obsessed, and drew inspiration from Moshidi Motshekgwa who played Naomi on Rhythm City.
She says that the response from South Africans has been both amazing and terrifying.
“It has been remarkable, and no one saw it coming. Because I thought I was just a passing character with no storyline.”
Also read: ‘DiepCity’ viewers are triggered by MaShenge and Nox’s toxic relationship
Also read: ‘DiepCity’s’ Lebohang Mpyana: ‘I grew up with no parents’
HER EXIT IN ‘DIEPCITY’
Eva was determined to have Charleston to herself and dedicated herself to his church so that he can fall in love with her, but Charleston chose his wife over her in the end.
Viewers on the show remember her last explosive fight with Asa where she ended up unconscious in a burning shack.
It was in this episode that viewers finally realised that she’s been hiding her villainy pretty well from everyone else.
#DiepCity was shocked to learn that Eva held a prisoner in her shack who also ended up in the burning shack…or did she?
Eva locked a woman in a cage but forgot to lock it before Asa knocked… it is still unclear if Eva and the woman made it out alive.
