Inside the world of Muvhango and fame with Zonke Mchunu
It’s been months since we saw Imani in the action on Muvhango and then suddenly, on Valentine’s Day, there she was.
Zonke Mchunu stepped into her shoes again after playing her for eight and a half years.
We know this detail well because we interviewed Zonke in 2015 when she first debuted on the show so thought it would be nostalgic cool to catch-up with her now.
Take a step onto the Muvhango set:
TVSA: It’s good to see Imani back – we’ve been looking out for her. Have you been busy with Umkhokha? What’s been going on? Where have you been that you haven’t been on Muvhango?
Zonke: So I had taken a little break, just to unwind and work on my craft a little bit more and then, after that, I got another gig on Umkhokha so I’ve been doing that – it’s been fun.
TVSA: How long will Imani be back for?
Zonke: For now we’re not sure but this whole season she’s going to be around, still being the old Imani so we’re waiting to see what she comes up with.
Given the way she left, she’s coming back with a bang – she is even more confident than before.
TVSA: In terms of Umkhokha – have you replaced Vuyiseka Cawe as Khombisile? What’s happening with that?
Zonke: I believe so, I wasn’t really sure what the story was behind all of that. I got an audition post and I went there and got the job and I’m happy to have the job – I’m not really sure what happened with the previous Khombisile and how it happened.
TVSA: The two shows are filmed in different provinces so where are you living? How do you manage this all?
Zonke: I’m still in Joburg right now – I’m back at Muvhango fulltime and then part time at Umkhokha.
Umkhokha is based in Durso it’s kinda like flying in and out – if I’m supposed to be that side and then quickly have to come back here to shoot at Muvhango.
TVSA: When you go to Durban do you stay with family or in a hotel? What’s your life like there?
Zonke: I’m born and raised in KZN, I do have a few relations in Durban so sometimes I’ll be with my relatives, depending on how much time and work I have that side.
So I stay with them, and sometimes I book myself in a hotel if I have a lot of work to do ‘cos you know, sometimes being around family, it’s so much fun and you forget you have to work
TVSA: We last spoke to you in 2015, shortly after your Muvhango debut. At the time, you were completing your drama studies at the Durban University of Technology, your mom was working as a cleaner at your former high school and you were single. What’s happened between then and now?
Zonke: *Laughs* Oh my God, that was how many years agooooo? From then, eish, most of my time I’ve been working at Muvhango, my mom doesn’t work as a cleaner anymore, she’s retired now, and I have a seven year old boy who’s my joy, my world.
TVSA: That’s a lot to have changed. Are you still single?
Zonke: *Laughs* Yes I’m still single.
TVSA: Does your mom stay in Durban or does she live with you?
Zonke: I’m most of the time on the road so my mom is still home in the rural areas of KwaMaphumulo – that’s where she’s based with my other siblings and nieces and nephews. I see them maybe once or twice a month if it’s a good month.
TVSA: Did you manage to finish your drama studies? At the time it was challenging.
Zonke: Ja, it was a bit challenging because of work. Now, as we’re speaking, I still haven’t gone back to do my last subjects that I was supposed to do but that’s a story for another day.
TVSA: At the time you said you weren’t able to go to classes, people were taking notes for you and that kind of thing.
Zonke: Ja, I haven’t been able to go back. I’ve been thinking about it, but now, the thing is, I think I’ve found another love – I want to go back to my first ever love which is civil engineering, which is what I did before drama.
TVSA: Yes, what happened with that? Tell us more.
Zonke: Well, I didn’t finish that also *laughs* so now I’m still thinking about it.
It’s still an idea I’m cooking in my head of going back and seeing, you know, spread my wings and seeing what else can I do in this world, ‘cos, with acting, even though I’m not where I want to be particularly in acting, I also want to see what other things I’m able to do.
TVSA: Have you changed in the past eight and a half years and if so, how?
Zonke: Changed, I’m not sure, but grown, yes, I’ve grown so much – in my work, personally, as a person.
I’ve learnt so much over these years, being a mom, being a sister, all of that. I’ve grown so much.
TVSA: What’s been your biggest realisation or lesson?
Zonke: It’s not necessarily one thing I can pinpoint, it’s just when you grow, there are certain things that you leave behind. Maybe like the way you dress – it’s not the same as I used to dress eight and a half years ago.
TVSA: How is it different?
Zonke: I was young then *laughs* I used to dress like however. I didn’t care much, but now, I’ve grown and I’ve learnt my body type and how I should
