Devonecia Swartz is a class act

This young starlet from Eerste River may be small, but she packs a big punch.

Devonecia Swartz, 23, is a talented award-winning actress who plays 15-year-old Zoe Daniels in the new KykNET series, 4 Mure (Four Walls).

Swartz, who is also a singer and writer, made her debut in the second episode that aired last Tuesday at 8.30pm.

In the episode, Zoe plans to run away with her boyfriend, Paul, but when their parents get wind of the situation, there are some real-life consequences for the young couple.

The five-episode drama was shot in an hotel room, and each episode has a different theme.

Swartz says actors of colour have always been around, but are just given more opportunity now.

“I remember my mother watching Arendsvlei for the first time and she said ‘wow, all of these coloured actors came out of nowhere’ and then we realised that they've always been there; there was just no space created for them to exist in.

“Therefore, create scripts that allow for characters of colour to be portrayed and that also goes into creating funding to train writers and giving them the opportunities to create their work.

“But then you also need those in charge to want to encourage growth in the industry, whilst getting return on their money, and that’s where it gets tricky for the bigwigs.”

Swartz matriculated from Stellenberg High School and graduated from Stellenbosch University with a BA Honours in Drama and Theatre Studies (Creative Writing) in 2019.

She has a brother and sister and still lives at home. She is also in a band called Devonecia+Wilken which was nominated for a Fiësta award in 2020.

“I won a Fiësta for Best Supporting Actress in Jakkals & Wolf Onbeperk for the role of Jakkals on 2020. And I won a KKNK Kanna for the same role in 2019,” she said.

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She was also nominated for a Fleur du Cap award for Most Promising Student in 2020.

Swartz, who loves theatre, says acting for TV is tricky.

“The difference is that theatre is more forgiving when it comes to the translating of emotion, whereas you cannot lie to a camera.

“It's right there and it picks up on everything you're thinking on your face.

“I'm getting to like TV slowly but surely, but the stage will always be home. En ek mis my huis, jong.”

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