- Gugu Gumede plays the cold and calculated villain Connie Zondo in Isiphetho: Destiny.
- She works closely with seasoned actors like Linda Sokhulu and Peter Mashigo.
- Gugu hopes to play Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, her late mother, one day in a biopic.
- She says motherhood is her greatest purpose.
Gugu Gumede is back on television with a fierce role.
The 32-year-old actress is Connie Zondo in eTV’s newest drama series Isiphetho: Destiny, a show set in the heart of Soweto that follows four estranged friends bound together by secrets from their past.
Gugu stars as the villainous Connie who runs a successful shisanyama joint. But, things take a turn when her niece and daughter decide to go up against her and open a rival restaurant that will compete directly with hers and this is when we see her true colours.
She acts alongside the likes of Mbalenhle Mavimbela, Tsholofelo Maseko, Linda Sokhulu and more. Gugu adds her impressive range and fierce aura to the prime-time telenovela with the show’s debut garnering an impressive 3.3 million viewers.
A calculated villain
Many remember Gugu as the captivating prophetess Mamlambo on Uzalo and, now, she gets to exercise her villainous tendencies on Isiphetho: Destiny.
Describing her character, Gugu says, “Connie Zondo is beast. One of the most fun characters I’ve ever portrayed really. She is ambitious, calculated, strict and cut-throat. But all of it is just hard-shell with soft interior - because everything she is and does is out of love for her family. She does it all for legacy. You’ve got to give props to a brave woman like that with a deep rooted love for her family.”
Gugu’s character Connie is one of three siblings, played by Linda Sokhulu and Mjosty Mbhele, whose rivalry with the four friends will come to light every weeknight at 18:30.
She works very closely with Linda, who has been a welcomed staple on Mzansi’s screens in acclaimed roles in shows like Isidingo, Grown Woman and Killer Front Page.
READ MORE | Linda Sokhulu takes on a new challenge in Grown Woman - 'The big shift for me was playing a dramedy'
Legends and fresh faces
Gugu tells us how honoured she feels to be working alongside industry greats.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working very closely with the legendary Linda Sokhulu and Peter Mashigo. It’s always such a blessing to work with people you grew up watching, quite surreal really.
“The great thing about Black Brain though, is how they go out of their way to discover new talent and open up the industry, with every show and because of this, I’ve had the great pleasure of also working with young, fresh talent, with the likes of Zinhle Sithole, who plays my granddaughter. It’s been a great experience.”
This year, Gugu marks off 10 years in entertainment and with her lineage tracing back to her late mother Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, leader of the National Freedom Party, Gugu’s dream role is to bring her mother’s story to life.
She tells us, “Growing up, I would always say that my dream role is uMkabayi ka Jama, the sister of King Senzangakhona. It stemmed from the love and desire of portraying black women in the entirety of their strength. Now though, I would love to do a biopic of my late mother, Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi, and portray her life. What a strong and powerful woman. That is now my dream role.”
The love story of motherhood
In 2022, Gugu took a break from the small screen when she welcomed her baby girl into the world. What she describes as “the greatest juggling of all time”, spending long hours on the set leaves her little time with her family.
“Acting and directing are my great loves, but motherhood is most certainly my greatest purpose,” she says. “I found it when I had my little girl. It truly takes a village, and I am so grateful for the team of women around us, who help fill in for me when I’m on set. Again, it’s a juggling act but the most beautiful one you’ll ever see!”
READ MORE | Zola Mhlongo returns to radio after 3 years
Being a mom to a little girl has defined the actress’ purpose and she tells us some of the lessons she hopes to leave a child as she grows up.
“Motherhood is the most beautiful love story! I am in awe. It has shaped me so much as a woman, I found my footing in the world when I became a mother. It taught me life in different way. I understood situations and people differently. I developed a new understanding for women. I related to my mother a lot more. I worshipped God a lot deeper. I met myself. I showed up for myself; because in order to show up for your child, you need to start with you.
“All this comes from being a mother, and these are the lessons are the lessons I wish to impart on her. The strength of a woman. The beauty of embracing the softness (and soft life) of being a woman. It’s a balancing act, and it is okay to be both - I wish I knew this when I was younger. The adventures of being both Black and a woman are best explored in comfort. Work so hard that you bless yourself with that.”
