‘I Am Because You All Are’: Ama Qamata Thanks Fans for Supporting Fight Like A Girl

Last Updated: September 10, 2026By The Insight Team

Ama Qamata is feeling the love after South African audiences showed up in numbers to support her latest film, Fight Like A Girl.

The award-winning actress stars as Safi in the international film, a role that has marked another significant step in her career. Best known for her breakout performances as Puleng Khumalo in Netflix’s Blood & Water and Buhle Ndaba in Gomora, Ama has continued to take on more challenging roles as she expands her career beyond the characters that first made her a household name.

Fight Like A Girl is based on the true-life story of Congolese boxing champion Clarck Ntambwe and follows Safi, a young girl who escapes brutal conditions before finding a new path through boxing. The film was shot on location in Goma, including during a period of active conflict, adding another layer of intensity to Ama’s performance.

For the South African screening, Ama brought the story home for audiences at Ster-Kinekor in Johannesburg. The screening was followed by a panel discussion hosted by Women for Change South Africa, with the conversation exploring the film’s story, female resilience and the importance of telling stories centred on women.

The response was immediate, with tickets selling out within just a few days. When screening day arrived, the venue was packed as audiences came together to watch the film and celebrate women and African cinema.

The project has also allowed Ama to step into a new role behind the scenes, making her debut as a co-producer. She has previously spoken about wanting to grow beyond acting and have a greater say in the stories she helps bring to the screen.

The actress has since taken to social media to thank everyone who came out to support the film.

“I am because you all are

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our film, but more importantly to stand with us in celebrating women, our resilience and African cinema. I’m so humbled by the love and support you continue to show us.

There’s no place like home and Joburg you did not disappoint And a special thank you to L’Oréal for spoiling our guests with the loveliest goodie bags.”

The Johannesburg screening comes after Fight Like A Girl received attention at international screenings, with Ama’s performance earning recognition including the Rising Star Award at the Naples International Film Festival and Best Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.

For Ama, bringing the film home has been about more than another career milestone. She has spoken about her belief in African cinema and the importance of giving audiences the opportunity to see stories from the continent on the big screen.

“I really believe in African cinema,” she previously said, reflecting on the film’s journey and the importance of seeing African stories reach audiences around the world.