Terry’s Mandela moment
Terry Pheto finds TV role daunting
Terry Pheto says portraying Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is a dream coming true.
Pheto stars in the American documentary, Madiba, that premiers tonight on Discovery channel on DStv.
The six-part series examines the part played by Nelson Mandela in the Struggle for the freedom and equality of all South Africans.
Pheto said she had always wanted to portray such a powerful and complex role.
“The whole experience was amazing for me. This is an important story that we should keep telling. As an actress I am always looking for a challenging role. Finally, I got to play Mama Winnie, someone that I have always looked up to. I love portraying her because her character is complex.”
When South Africans watch the show tonight they will see the need to have discussions about how freedom was attained.
It is a simply written story that can be enjoyed by the whole family, and young people who have no knowledge of what it means to fight for freedom.
Pheto said stepping into Madikizela-Mandela’s shoes was daunting.
“I did try to meet Mama Winnie when I got the role but she was not well at the time.”
The film features Laurence Fishburne as Nelson Mandela, Meren Reddy as Ahmed Kathrada, Sello Maake KaNcube (as Albert Luthuli), Yonda Thomas (young Nelson Mandela), Thishiwe Ziqubu (Evelyn), Hlomla Dandala and Lerato Mvelase, among others.