South African actress and choreographer, Hlengiwe Lushaba- Madlala is receiving praise on the social media platforms for the portrayal of Phumzile ‘MaMchunu’ Mchunu on My Brother’s Keepers.
She was given her flowers, after her dramatic exit on the show. With some angry at the MaMchunu character, while others are appreciating the thespian.
Hlengiwe is renowned for characters she portrayed on Gaz’lam, Society, District 9, Greed and Desire and Tjovitjo. Recently, she played the feisty Shabalala matriarch, who raised a family of headstrong men.
She played alongside Zola Nombona, Wiseman Mncube, Lindani Mkhize, Sdumo Mtshali among other talented thespians, in a riveting series that of Nqubeko- an overly ambitious son who is tired of being sidelined by his father. The son later breaks his father’s rules by going after his brother’s widow.
With the filming of the show wrapped after the announcement of its cancellation, Hlengiwe spoke to Daily Sun then, and shared insights about the MaMchunu character.
“I don’t remember seeing a character that focuses on the journey of a mum from beginning to end the complexities of being a mum. It’s been beautiful getting appreciation from mums and older women. They feel seen through this character. For me, that’s beautiful. It overwhelms and humbles me,” she said.
Recently, X (formerly Twitter) was filled with messages of viewers showing appreciation to Hlengiwe for how she embodied MaMchunu until the end. MaMchunu is the character that most viewers had a love-hate relationship with.
Take a bow Phumzile Prudence Mchunu Shabalala??? Thank you Mama Hlengiwe Lushaba Madlala for portraying MaMchunu so well♥️ the Matriarch has fallen?
You have finally found your peace and reunited with your children?️
Deo gratias – Thanks be to God?#mybrotherskeeper pic.twitter.com/Aacn1BYyEq— SIWE? (@Siwe_Lubambo) March 18, 2025
#MyBrothersKeeper it takes a lot to cry an almost every episode. Curious to know how she felt after shooting all these scenes because I would be extremely exhausted. pic.twitter.com/N5bTzwqLit
— Jabulani Macdonald ⚡️ (@Jabu_Macdonald) March 18, 2025
I know she was our villian but I’ll miss Mamchunu ???? Mam Hlengiwe Lushaba Madlala take a bow queen you played Mamchunu so beautifully ❤️❤️❤️#MyBrothersKeeper
— . (@mpumi_m2) March 18, 2025
