Uzalo has been renewed for a second season and the writers expand on Mamlambo’s controversial world as a staunch Christian and prophetess, writes Debashine Thangevelo
IN the world of acting, Gugu Gumede is a fledgling. She has all of two roles to her credit: Mandisa in SABC1’s Generations and her current one as Mamlambo in the channel’s well-received drama, Uzalo.
Well-spoken, with traces of an American accent filtering through, she says: “I auditioned for Uzalo season one in Joburg. But the role I auditioned for was for one of the mothers. But I was told I was too young for the role and I was too old to play one of the younger generations. So then I had to accept defeat.”
However, the casting gods did not abandon her. She reveals: “I got a call from them at a later stage and they said: ‘You know, there is another character that you would be good for’. And they told me about Mamlambo. So that’s how I came to work on Uzalo.”
Her character, funnily enough, operates in two different spiritual worlds, which makes her quite interesting to play.
On the one hand, Mamlambo is a deeply religious Christian. However, she also got the calling and answered it. As such, she finds herself in an interesting marriage between the two faiths, so to speak.
This Durban-raised actress explains her gravitation toward the art form and sheds light on bagging her first break on Generations.
“I lived in the US for some time – I was studying there. My mother (National Freedom Party leader, Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi) is a politician so I grew up in boarding schools. I got used to moving around so much, which also meant connecting with people quickly and easily. Often, I would put up a façade or go into character because, as a child, you always want to be accepted and liked. By the age of 9, I realised I wanted to get into acting.”
However, her mother wasn’t on board with her career aspirations. And when it came to studying, her mum encouraged her to do something else.
Gumede laughs: “She tried to bribe me a lot to go into law. I did try, though. But I didn’t make it through the year and dropped out. I hated quitting but, at least, I got to follow my dreams.”
She continues: “I don’t have a vast acting background, to tell you the truth. Generations is the first TV role I did.”
She proudly admits that it was also great schooling for her.
“It was amazing working with legendary actors like Menzi Ngubane and Sophie Ndaba. It was a life-changing moment and I gained friends from there. I always said, in high school, that I was going to be on Generations. And I did that,” she beams.
Back to Uzalo. The Tonight asked Gumede how she reconciles with her character’s different forms of spirituality.
She offers: “I had to do a lot of research as she is quite a controversial character. She mixes Christianity and being a prophet. She believes she can combine the two. Manzuza (Mamlambo’s nemesis) believes she is doing it completely wrong.”
Gumede continues: “So for me, when my character connects with the ancestors, I go to a different realm and connect with my God. This is a phenomenal character to play. It forces you to go beyond your limit.
“To date, I have had the honour of playing characters so different from me, as Gugu. In real life, I’m a bit more reserved and only outspoken when I’m used to you. People will argue that’s not true… but I can be.”
Interestingly, Mamlambo speaks her mind and doesn’t take “no” for an answer.
The actress adds: “When I started off, it was on a call basis. The character was significantly different from who she is now. As an actor, that humbled me. Mamlambo has different sides to her. She is really confident in herself and her power. She is accused of wanting two woman’s husbands. She knows she can get them and she plays on that as well as she knows how powerful she is.
“She is famous for a Zulu line (which she quickly rattles off). I will translate it: ‘It means, I will hit you with lightening’. In this season, she has a pivotal role to all these people and families around her. She helps them find clarity.”
Interestingly, Duma Ndlovu has been eyeing this talent for a role in an upcoming movie. And she has been brushing up on her Zulu in a big way on Uzalo to get ready… just in case!
Uzalo airs on SABC1 at 8.30pm on weekdays.