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Manaka Ranaka is a well-known South African actress, celebrated for her role as Lucy Diale on the popular soap opera Generations: The Legacy. Since joining the show in 2014, she has captured the hearts of viewers, becoming a beloved character in the show.
In 2007, Manaka won the South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) for Best Actress in a Television Comedy. Over the years, she has faced challenges, but, she remains dedicated to her craft.
Manaka broke her silence about a tragic incident that has deeply affected her on SundayWorld. Back in 2015, she accidentally knocked over 18-year-old Millicent Mbonani, who was crossing a road near the N3 to Durban. The pupil was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics.
Manaka’s acting career began in the 1980s when she made a cameo in a music video and worked as a backing singer while touring the country. Reflecting on her journey, she spoke with DRUM, saying, “I was introduced to acting when I featured in a music video [..]and I also did some backup vocals, so that’s when I fell into acting and 30 years later, I haven’t looked back.”
Manaka further opened up about the evolution of her character, Lucy Diale, on Generations: The Legacy on the publication. As Lucy transitions from a hardened figure to a more mature, Christian woman, Manaka shares insights into this transformation.
“There’s much more coming up with the new storyline and everything that Lucy is doing now is to keep up with her professional friends, who each have their own careers, but Lucy is not going anywhere.”
Despite her extensive experience in acting, she has ambitions for the future, expressing a desire to explore behind-the-scenes opportunities and other projects, though she prefers to keep those plans under wraps to avoid jinxing them.
