By Nangamso Mabindla
29 July, 2005

WHEN Leon Schuster's latest movie Mama Jack hits the screens in November it will have a local feel to it.

One of the city's most recognisable faces, Gompo-born Ayanda Mbatyothi, is making his film debut in the movie. Mbatyothi is well known for his striking resemblance to a young Nelson Mandela.

Mama Jack, produced by Anant Singh and Helena Spring, is set in Cape Town and stars Leon Schuster. His character, who works on a movie set, finds himself on the wrong side of the law and goes on the run.

Schuster, Singh and Spring are the team that produced the hit Mr Bones.

For East Londoners, though, the movie has the added interest of the familiar face of Mbatyothi, who plays a young man who resembles Mandela.

Speaking about the experience of being on set with some of the country's best moviemakers, Mbatyothi said it was something he had long wished for. "I have a passion for acting," he said.

"I cannot believe I will be on the big screen doing what I love the most," he said, adding, "I thank Leon Schuster and Anant Singh for believing in my talent as an actor."

He urged people to take in the movie. "They will love Mama Jack, it's brilliant."

Mbatyothi described his role as made for him. In Mama Jack he plays Clinton, who "has everything about Madiba, posters, speeches, pictures and other things; and because of his resemblance to him he is invited to act in a movie about the former president".

Mbatyothi he didn't want to talk too much his character: "People need to go and see me in action."

He hoped that his being in a big-budget movie would be an encouragement to other aspiring actors in the city and the province. "They need to be patient, their time will come. It has taken me 10 years, but I am now reaping the rewards of my patience."

Even though his big break had finally come, Mbatyothi planned to plough something back into the local communities. "I would like to advance my career, but also search for talent here in the Eastern Cape as well. I want youngsters here to reach for their dreams and make it to the big screen too."

Mama Jack will be hit the big screens from 2 November.