Muvhango actress is a woman of faith
She says there were people in Thohoyandou who used to paint her as a bad woman because of her role in the soapie, especially when she kidnapped Azwindini's son.
LIMPOPO – Ndikandafha Suzan ‘Vele’ Ravuku, who stays in Vuwani, attracted millions of Muvhango viewers when she acted as a sangoma who kidnapped one of Chief Azwindini’s sons, Muvhango and wanted to ritual-kill him. Muvhango soapie’s Thifhelimbilu, known as Fheli, is truly a woman of substance.
She says there were people in Thohoyandou who used to paint her as a bad woman because of her role in the soapie, especially when she kidnapped Azwindini’s son.
“People didn’t consider it as a drama”.
According to the storyline, after her release from jail, she was offered a position as a housemaid in Mulalo Mukwevho’s house.
In real life, however, she is a lovely woman, who works as a training facilitator at the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme (TVEP), a job she took up 10 years ago. She is also a youth mentor visiting schools, encouraging learners from primary to secondary level on the importance of education, the consequences of bullying in schools, teenage pregnancy, sexual assault, and children’s rights and their responsibilities. She has also taken care of children living with HIV in the Vhembe District since 2007.
Suzan has been involved with stage drama from a tender age, but became a household name in the entertainment industry in 2001, while playing on radio dramas on SABC’s Phalaphala FM, which she still does.
“I am currently writing dramas for radio, mainly for Phalaphala FM. My first was a story that was aired on 21 March 2009, on Human Rights Day. I am writing a 30-episode serial drama at the moment that will air from 19 June to 28 July. I was one of five authors that wrote ‘I Khou Khidzhana’ that was aired on Phalaphala FM, in 2013.”
“I also do adverts on Phalaphala FM as ‘Ma Angie’ on Iketzetze-Zenzele, and for the OMO Mailbag and many others,” she said.
“The person who encouraged me to play drama is Ester Mandiwana, a councillor from the Thulamela Municipality. Domina Munzhelele, and Seremane Mathivha, the executive producers of radio dramas, are my drama-writing inspirations,” she said.
“I am also the director of my own business, Mukhuro General Trading, that I started a few years ago and it focuses a lot on decoration and catering. I’m humbled by my community who always request me to be the master of ceremonies at their weddings, birthday parties, 21st birthdays and other functions.”
“I’m a focused woman, and am respected by those who know me. I draw strength from God and I fellowship at the Elim Christian Fellowship Centre, under Pastor Mufamadi. I am a strong woman and have gone through a lot , but God has always been on my side,” she said.
