Could this be the case for upcoming Studio 263 actress, Amanda Mugoni, known as Sakina in the soap, who has defied all cultural norms and kissed her father-in-law on camera? She says times have changed and she is in the acting industry to transform the women of today through her character.
Mugoni is married to Wakanaka (Charles Kapfupi) in the soap and, in real life, to the son, William.
‘‘Wakanaka is my father-in-law in real life and in Studio 263 he is my husband, but it is not anything to talk about because I am in love with the son, not the father. Yes we kissed (with the father-in-law) in the script but that is just acting. Acting should just be treated like any other profession,” said Mugoni.
She said some people think that she is double-crossing father and son because of her role in Studio 263, but she shrugs that off with a good measure of high spirits.
From humble beginnings, Mugoni worked her way up through “bit parts” to become one of Zimbabwe’s most distinguished actresses. Starting her career as an “extra” in 2005 with no significant role in the popular soap Studio 263, Mugoni says it took her six years to land her role as Sakina. “Just after high school, I joined Studio 263 as an extra. I would just appear in a group,” said Mugoni.
After six years of patience and determination, her dream came true. She plays the role of a cunning single mother who is married to Wakanaka and loves her family. She is ostracized by society because she has a child with another man.
“Using my role as Sakina, I hope to transform society’s perception about single mothers. Society regards them as “damaged goods” and some call them “returned soldiers’’, which is not good,” said Mugoni (26).
However her character on screen is different from her true personality as she is a God-fearing woman and humble.
“Sakina and Amanda are two different people. Amanda is married to William, a man I respect and love so much,” she said. “I encourage all ladies out there to follow their dreams no matter how much time it may take. It might seem to be forever but with patience and determination, one always succeeds,” Mugoni said. ZBC’s Studio 263 is Zimbabwe’s longest-running soap opera.
Post published in: Arts