As we celebrate National Women’s Day, we honour the sacrifices of the women who came before us and recognise the ongoing sacrifices made by present-day women in their various spheres of influence. Television plays a big role in the lives of South Africans, and when ordinary women seek inspiration, they often look to the women they see on their TV screens. This speaks to the power of storytelling, in either empowering those with a similar story or teaching those who can’t relate about a prevalent truth. These narratives told on a big platform have great power in achieving representation on different levels. Here Zandile Cele, Hlengiwe Lushaba-Madlala, and Kay Bikitsha, actors on primetime television shows on Mzansi Magic, reflect on the power and vulnerabilities that their characters face, and how these mirror the experiences of the everyday South African woman.
Cele who is in her late 20s and resides in KZN, has faced bullying while growing up, which has shaped her into the strong woman she is today. She is a sangoma and prides herself in being able to help people through her gift. We see her offering Vuyokaxi Nguqu aka ‘Vovo’ her consulting services in the second episode of Short & Sweet. Describing herself, she says, “ngikhululekile futhi ngiyathanda ukuziculela esontweni nasemicimbini; ngiyigagu-ke, ngiyayishaya ingoma ingakho abantu bangikhonzile futhi anginakho ukwesaba umangiphakathi kwabantu” (I am care-free and love singing at church and events. I am an exceptional singer and that why people are so fond of me. I am a people’s person). Reflecting on her journey to the big screen, she says that she has learned not to look down on her calling and take pride in herself and adds, “you need to believe in yourself no matter what people think about you”.
Her story is just one of many among South African women, and she hopes that her role on the show inspires other short women with a calling to never look down on themselves. Her journey is just beginning, and she looks forward to see how the impact of her story can change the lives of the women who watch the show. Short and Sweet season 2 airs Thursdays at 20:00 on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161).
Seasoned South African actor Lushaba-Madlala, who plays MaMchunu Shabalala on popular Mzansi Magic telenovela My Brother’s Keeper (season 2 airs on Mzansi Magic, channel 161,Monday – Friday at 19:30) celebrates storytelling through reflecting on her on-screen character. Lushaba-Madlala describes MaMchunu, affectionately known as “Chunu”, as a God-fearing, strong, loyal, resilient matriarch of her family. She further describes MaMchunu as her husband’s right-hand woman, his advisor and confidant and the pillar that holds the Shalalala family together. She notes that MaMchunu’s current challenge is navigating between her heart space and her head space. As a typical Zulu woman, she is extremely loyal to her husband but now she questions the choices he has made lately.
My Brother’s Keeper has captured the hearts of many South Africans, as audiences have followed the drama riddled Shabalala family for two seasons. MaMchunu voices the struggles faced by women who enter a marriage for their family’s sake and must endure pain caused by a selfish husband – while holding together a family of five sons, with only two being her own, who she lost at the hands of other family members. Lushaba-Madlala has a rich performance background and has been in the entertainment industry for years. Reflecting on the industry’s support of women, she acknowledges the strides women are making but notes that the industry remains largely male-dominated. She believes in better supporting women by writing well-rounded stories and moving away from stereotypes, delving into the complexities of South African women. She looks forward to seeing more women in decision-making roles and encourages the continued seeking of feminine power in places that are rigid and can be very masculine inviting.
“A lesson that I have learned from playing Nozuko is independence and the importance of having your own things, secondly it’s loving and appreciating the people around me more because sometimes we underestimate how much love they give us,” she commented.
May the stories of these women we see on our TV screens inspire us to remember the strength every woman possesses. As you reflect on the stories the above women tell through their artistic representation of every South African woman, also appreciate the power of real stories told. Gqeberha the Empire airs Monday to Friday at 21:00 on Mzansi Magic.
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