Award-winning actress and TV personality Vele Manenje has taken the spotlight yet again, opening up about her journey in the acting world, particularly her experiences working alongside Venda-speaking actors.
The former Muvhango star candidly shared on King David's YouTube channel that she feels disconnected from her roots, asserting that she has not received much support from her own people.
"How much work are you gonna get when you can only speak TshiVenda? I noticed it a long time ago and realized I am going to be a Venda, that has to be a chameleon. I recently made peace with the fact that I am not a Venda actor. I had to admit to myself, and I can't box myself as a Venda actor."
Manenje reflected on her career, admitting, "To be quite honest, every gig I've done with my people has not been great. It's challenging when you're limited by language, but being multilingual has opened many doors for me, allowing me to audition for various roles like in iShaka Ilembe."
Reactions from South Africa Vibrate with Empathy
South Africans have taken to social media to express their support and resonate with Manenje's experiences. One user, @Katlego_Suzan_Mushavhi, shared:
"My heart broke when she said, '...my experience with my own people has not been great.' I no longer want to feel guilty for not doing characters in other languages. Her experience is one of pain and rejection. We really are our own enemies."
Others echoed sentiments of admiration for her talent and the struggles faced by marginalized communities. @ThandiweBolsiek poignantly noted,
"When she spoke about her experiences with her own people in the industry, it was sad. All industries are the same as far as bad treatment is concerned."
Meanwhile, praise continues to pour in for her exceptional performance on Skeem Saam, where Vele stars as the mother of Tobias, portrayed by Sicelo Buthelezi. Viewers are raving about her dynamic presence in this beloved South African series.
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