A fresh new start
Khanya Mkangisa is taking her character Akhona on a journey of self discovery and rebirth after Akhona’s mother passes away in a tragic car accident on The Queen.
It hasn’t taken long for Akhona (Khanya Mkangisa) to pick herself up and continue with her life after her mom was killed in a car smash in early January. “Everyone reacts to loss in different ways,” explains Khanya. “Akhona didn’t break down crying or go into a deep, dark depression. She is already in the final stages of grief; she has acknowledged the fact that her mother is gone. While she feels sad, Akhona gets a job as a waitress to suppress the emotions,” adds the actress. The accident took place while Akhona and her mother were on their way to her aunt Vuyiswa’s (Zandile Msutwana) wedding in January and Vuyi has since invited Akhona to move into her house with her husband Jerry (Shona Ferguson). “Vuyiswa is easy to talk to, making it easy for Akhona to express her feelings and find closure. Akhona is reminded whenever Vuyi is around of the relationship that she had with her deceased mom,” says Khanya. There is more to learn about Akhona…
What does she think of her new job as a waitress at Corner House? Akhona is glad to be outdoors and distracting herself from thinking too much about the car accident that turned her life upsidedown. She had a good relationship with her mother and she doesn’t want to waste away by dwelling on what could have been. Jerry’s nephew Thato (Xolani Mayekiso) had a crush on Akhona but she rejected him… And with good reason! It doesn’t make sense for her to date Thato because he is family. Although they aren’t blood related, they live under the same roof because her aunt is married to his uncle. Besides, their romance would be too complicated because she’s still mourning her mother. This isn’t your first time working with Zandile. You played Mpilo on telenovela Zabalaza (2013-2016), her character Lindiwe’s spoilt-brat sister. What’s it like working with Zandile again? The first day on set felt like a reunion party. I was overjoyed with emotion as Zandi and I are good friends in real life too. I enjoy working with her because she is professional and like her character Vuyiswa, she is easy to be around. Have you learnt any lessons from your
newest soap character? Too many! Life has so many ups and downs and she has managed to get back on her feet after a great loss. Akhona is a great example that in times of adversity, we should never throw in the towel but keep our heads held high instead.