SA Teen Actress Makes TIME Magazine Top 10 List

A young South African actress selected in the iconic Time magazine's list of Top 10 Movie Performances of 2011.

Khomotso Manyaka made her acting debut at the age of 12 when Oliver Schmitz cast her as the lead role in his emotional drama Life, Above All which deals with the impact of Aids on a community, a family and the life of a young girl.

The film which garnered few awards around the world and here at home is based on the book Chanda's Secrets by Allan Stratton.

Of her performance Time writes: 

"Given the challenge, Manyaka invested the part of Chanda, the sole strength of her ravaged clan, with amazing poise, delicacy and grit."

The young actress also received recognition for her role when she was named Best Actress at the Durban Film Festival and then later scooped up the Best Actress Award at the SA Film and Television Awards where I met and interviewed her on the red carpet.

Interviewing Khomotso on the redcarpet at the Saftas

The shy soft spoken starlet attending the SAFTAS with her co-star in the film. I was amazed at how oblivious she seemed to the fact that she was a star now. In an industry where egos rule, I was very impressed by her humility. 

The now Grade 10 student at National School Of The Arts said: 

"I'm very proud of myself: 2011 was a great year."

She was offered a full scholarship at the prestigious NSA and is currently focusing on school and is not working on any projects at the moment. 

She comes in at no. 3 on the female list behind the legendary Meryl Streep at no.1 with her performance as Margaret Thatcher on Iron Lady and Viola Davis who is in second place.

Brad Pitt leads the gents for his performance The Tree of Life, Moneyball and Happy Feet Two

Congrats Khomotso. Looking forward to seeing you blossom as an actress.

Watch the trailer for Life, Above All below