Noluvo Ntapu, who plays Patricia on Generations, opened up recently about life on the show, and losing a daughter to HIV.

On Generations, Ntapu plays Patricia, a gossip and a busybody, forever inserting her nose into places it does not belong.

But the actress behind the role is nothing like the character she plays. In a recent interview with the Sowetan, she comes across as a composed and thoughtful woman, willing to talk frankly about matters close to her heart.

Hailing from Mount Ayliff in Eastern Cape, Ntapu began her career in showbiz with several cameo appearances on shows such as eKasi: Our Stories, Soul City, 7de Laan and Rhythm City. Her big break would come when she landed the role of Patricia on Generations .

Having arrived in Joburg in 2008 with only a Matric certificate, this is one actress who can claim to have worked her way up from the bottom.

“I came to Johannesburg with just a dream to be a star. Acting was not part of my plans,” she told the Sowetan.

“I was hoping that I was going to be a gospel singer, but God had other ideas for my life.

“I was willing to do any work, including domestic work, before landing my first TV job.

“When I got my first acting role, I was running a small spaza shop to support myself,” says the 47-year-old actress.

She described her first day on the set of Generations, surrounded by big name stars like Sophie Ndaba and Menzi Ngubane, as being a fairly intimidating experience.

“I was so star-struck and scared, seeing all these big actors. I could not believe I had landed a job in such a big show, but as time went by I got used to it.”

She admitted that although being an actress in such a popular show has its advantages, their is also a downside. One of which is the tendency amongst viewers to mistake what’s happening on the screen for real life.

“Acting in Generations gives people distorted ideas about my life. There is too much pressure and a lot of expectations.

“The moment you are seen on TV people think that you are rich and live in a mansion. They expect you to drive a big car.

“They do not know that like many South Africans, I use taxis and live in a rented flat in the Johannesburg CBD.”

Ntapu’s 22 year old daughter, one of her five children, contracted Aids in 2008, and passed away last month.

“Losing her was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to go through in my life, but it taught me very important life lessons. Her sickness taught me patience and compassion.

“I had to accompany her every time she went to take her treatment from the clinic. I was there with her when she was diagnosed. It was painful to watch her going through that pain, but I am glad I was there for her.

“Whenever I accompanied her to the clinic young HIV-positive people told me stories of how their parents had disowned them.

“Whenever we went to the clinic people used to gossip about us.”

She added that people with Aids are still ostracised by some members of the community, which is something she would like to help change.

“I would like to start a parent’s HIV support group where I live, where we will support parents and families of HIV-positive people.

“The CBD has many people affected and infected by the disease who do not know who to talk to and who need help and understanding.”

The actress recently separated from her husband of over twenty years. He is also the father of her five children. She told the paper that prior to her death, her daughter had requested an audience with her father. Tragically, it was not to be.

“Before my daughter died she asked to see my husband, but unfortunately she died while he was on his way to see her.”

She revealed that her relationship with her husband had soured long before their separation.

She adds: “We fell out of love with each other long before I started acting”.

Despite achieving so much already, Ntapu still has big dreams.

“My wish is to see Patricia’s part grow. At the moment I am a call actress. I also dream of realising the gospel album I had to shelve because I had to take care of my daughter.”