Soap actress impresses on stage

Manamela plays the part of Anna in ‘This Is For Keeps’, director Ntshieng Mokgoro’s version of a 1983 Market Theatre production. The production tells the story of a woman who suffers both emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her husband, an ex-soldier called Tony, played by Sello Motloung.

“Anna is a young lady with big dreams, but then she ends up marrying Tony and most of her dreams are lived behind closed doors,” Manamela says in the Sowetan.

“She loves life and has good intentions for her marriage. The vows bind her to an extent that there is no way out for her.”

A firm supporter of the 16-day campaign against violence which annually runs from 25 November to 10 December the actress highlighted the need for women to start speaking out against abuse.

“As women, we end up being our own worst abusers,” she said.

“If a child is molested by her dad why do we keep quiet? If a woman is bashed by her man, what is keeping her in that kind of relationship?

“We have become a very silent community when it comes to abuse.”

Although Manamela and co-actor Sello Motloung are both primarily known for their roles in various South African television shows, director Mokgoro says they blew her away with their stage performances.

“I am surprised to see what she has done with the role,” she said of Manamela.

“I gave her the flexibility to go wild, and she completely shocked me. ”

– TEAMtalk Media