Lerato Mvelase

Boasting a career spanning over two decades in the acting industry, Lerato Mvelase takes the helm in the new Mzansi Magic series, Icala, sharing the spotlight with co-stars Sanah Mchunu and Bheki Sibiya. The full synopsis reads: “A man, reckless and self-centred, thinks his death end is near. So, he spills the beans, confessing to his loving, revenge-driven wife about the child he fathered with her BFF. Plot twist? He does not die. Instead of ending their marriage, his wife decides to craft her spine-chilling revenge on both offenders.” 

Sharing her initial thoughts on the script, Lerato reflects, “As I delved into the script, I couldn’t help but notice that my character, MaShandu, harbours a concealed psychosis unearthed by the unfolding circumstances. She rationalises her unsettling behaviour with the perceived injustice inflicted upon her by her closest confidants, her best friend, and husband.” Describing the tone of the drama, she emphasises its exploration of fundamental issues within black families, skillfully interwoven with comedic elements. Highlighting the director’s deliberate approach, Lerato expresses admiration for their understanding of the narrative nuances. “The director was so intentional about this story. Even though it was my first time working with them, they understood what was needed in a particular scene, thus making it easier for us as actors to be more expressive. Chris found a way to create a more balanced atmosphere in a way that we deal with painful issues,” she shared.

In an interview with The Talks, Daniel Kuunyaka expressed the idea that actors essentially summarise life through their stories. Lerato Mvelase, who has intricately brought numerous characters to life over the years, aligns herself with this perspective to some degree. In her own words, “I’ve been telling stories for years, and we embody one character to another, and it differs greatly every time. We get to live different lives all at once. The tone, the scenery, the mentality and the physical aspects of it. It’s the first time in my career telling a story this relatively serious but with many intelligent comedy elements to it.” 

Working with the cast influenced the talented actress to find a better texture for her character and understand how to explore her character, MaShandu, best. Furthermore, she adds, “Right at the beginning, we were all trying to figure out what these characters were all about. How do they speak, their tone and walk? Working with my selfless and talented cast mates kind of took me back to the basics of acting. That being when actors work hard at honing their craft, it gives all the other actors the right to do the same.”

Moving forward, Lerato Mvelase says she’d love to see more stories in the TV and film industry of women that are so real and relatable. “I want to see women that I can relate to. Women who might seem like that have interminable courage but have moments of weakness, make mistakes, have problems and live a realistic life. Women who elicit a sense of truth in them.” 

Sannah Mchunu

Sannah Mchunu, who portrays MaNxumalo, has earned critical acclaim over the past years and says this character is a little different from the roles she has played before. Sannah says she’s aware of the difficulty that comes with being strongly associated with her previous role on Gomora, but she’s filled with ecstasy to take on new projects and fully explore other roles on many fronts. Although acting was never intended to be a part of her life journey, Sannah says her life was forever changed when she accompanied her friend Winnie Khumalo to an audition and ended up auditioning too upon the director’s request, and since then, she has earned her seat at the table of veteran actresses we have in the country. Maintaining relatability within the stratosphere of subtle acting and full range of motions has been Sannah Mchunu’s impressive balancing act, which is always on display regardless of any role she portrays.

Oftentimes, her performances are set apart by conveying her complex personality. Sannah has mastered the art of embodying different characters to the point where she communicates swiftly to the audience with her powerful line delivery and even with the tiniest expressions and subtle gestures. Her gut-punching performances in shows like Gomora, Muvhango, The Queen and more have left a mark on her fans, and it doesn’t come as a surprise that she’s been receiving wild praise from the audience of Icala. 

When asked about her go-to method of best embodying a character, Sannah says, “With most of the characters that I play, I read the description of the area in which the character is based and make it a point to go witness the life that people in that area live. For instance, with Zodwa on Gomora —- I went to Alexander township and scouted a few taverns and chill-out spots, learning the character traits that I could embrace and fully embody when delivering my performance. Now, I did the same thing with MaNxumalo. I went to KwaMai-Mai frequently to adapt certain behavioural patterns that village women and men tend to display in their everyday lives.”

Mchunu has always been candid about her life before fame. Despite facing immense challenges, including becoming a mother to five children by the age of 21 and enduring almost a decade of marriage to an abusive partner, she discovered the inner strength to reclaim control over her life. This transformative journey opened the doors of showbiz industry-wide for the actress. The award-winning actress encapsulates a spirit of humility and charm on-screen and in person. 

Watch the thirteen-part series of Icala, starring Lerato Mvelase, Sannah Mchunu, Velile Makhoba and Bheki Sibiya, every Monday at 20:00 on Mzansi Magic channel 161.