Sannah 'Sana' Mchunu (born 19 March 1972), is a South African actress.[1] She is best known for the roles in the television serials such as; eKasi: Our Stories, Muvhango, The River and Gomora.[2]
Sannah Mchunu | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sannah Mchunu 19 March 1972 |
| Nationality | South African |
| Occupation | Director & Actress |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Known for | Mzansi Bioskop Movies & Zodwa on Gomora |
| Children | 7 |
Personal life
editMchunu was born on 19 March 1972 in Mofolo North, Soweto, South Africa.[3] She could not finish school due to having children at a very young age.[4]
At the age of 14, she became pregnant with her first child.She then welcomed her second child at the age of 19. She fell pregnant again after her parents sent her back to school.[5] After her parents died, she lived with the father of her fourth child .[6] When she became pregnant with her fifth child, her husband started to physically and emotionally abused her.[7] After all that turmoil , she left the children with him. Currently, she is a mother to seven children.[3][8]
Career
editIn her teen years, Sana used to dance for the late Brenda Fassie, which was later interrupted by her multiple pregnancies .[9] She went to audition under the guidance of her friend, Winnie Khumalo. She was later selected to star in eKasi: Our Storiesin a supporting role.[3]
In 2013, Sana joined the fifth season of e.tv anthology series eKasi: Our Stories and played the role "Mrs Simelane" often called "Sis K". She continued to star in the sixth season of the series playing multiple roles such as "Rebecca", "Mrs. Khumalo", and "Gladys".[10] She then played the role of "Grace Letsoalo" in the Mzansi Magic miniseries Vuka Mawulele. In the same year she appeared in two more serials: as "Mrs Qoboza" in SABC1 mystery thriller End Game, and as "Sibu" in Mzansi Magic mini-serial Shabangu P.I.. In 2014, she appeared in most of the telecast television serials in South Africa: SABC1 drama Sticks and Stones (as "Aunty Nena"), SABC1 docudrama Amagugu (as "Lizzy"), SABC2 drama Gauteng Maboneng second season (as "Rebecca"), Moja Love telenovela Hope (as "Nelly") and in SABC1 drama thriller Ihawu (as "Rebo Modise"). Meanwhile, her most notable television role was as "Nomarashiya" in the SABC2 soap opera Muvhango.[11]
In 2015, she joined the Mzansi Magic soap opera Isibaya and played the role "Ma Ruth".In 2016, she appeared in the second season of the Mzansi Magic serial It's Complicated as "Nobesuthu". In the same year, she appeared in the SABC2 telenovela Keeping Score and later starred as"Tryphina" in the second season of the SABC1 docudrama Ngempela. In 2017, she starred as the"Mayor's Wife" in the second season of the Mzansi Magic telenovela Ring of Lies and as "MaGumede" in the fourth season of the SABC1 comedy serial Ses'Top La.[11]
In 2018, she starred in the 1Magic telenovela The River with the role "Matilda" and continued in the second season of the show.In 2019, she played the role of "Mam Lindi" in e.tv supernatural serial Isipho and later joined the fourth season of the Mzansi Magic drama The Queen starring as "Tryphina".[11] In 2020, Sana appeared in the Mzansi Magic telenovela Gomora as "Zodwa" where her role has received critical acclaim .[12][13]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Genre | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Vuka Mawulele | Grace Letsoalo | TV series | |
| 2013 | eKasi: Our Stories | Mrs Simelane/Sis K/Rebecca/Mrs. Khumalo/Gladys | TV series | |
| 2013 | End Game | Mrs Qoboza | TV series | |
| 2013 | Shabangu P.I. | Sibu | TV series | |
| 2013 | Stepfather Se Voët | Tamsy | Film | |
| 2014 | Sticks and Stones | Aunty Nena | TV series | |
| 2014 | Amagugu | Lizzy | Film | |
| 2014 | Gauteng Maboneng | Rebecca | TV series | |
| Generations | Guest role | TV series | ||
| 2014 | Hope | Nelly | TV series | |
| 2014 | Ihawu | Rebo Modise | TV series | |
| 2015 | Isibaya | Ma Ruth | TV series | |
| 2016 | It's Complicated | Nobesuthu | TV series | |
| 2016 | Keeping Score | Sunday Voice | TV series | |
| Muvhango | Nomarashiya | TV series | ||
| 2016 | Ngempela | Tryphina | TV series | |
| Rhythm City | Machiliza | TV series | ||
| 2017 | Ring of Lies | Mayor's Wife | TV series | |
| 2017 | Ses'Top La | MaGumede | TV series | |
| 2018 | The River | Matilda | TV series | |
| 2019 | Isipho | Mam Lindi | TV series | |
| 2019 | The Queen | Tryphina | TV series | |
| 2020–2023 | Gomora | Zodwa | TV series | |
| 2024 | Youngins (Showmax series) | Matron Lulu | TV series |
Awards
edit| Year | Award ceremony | Category | Results | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Mzansi Viewer's Choice Awards | Favourite Actress | Won | [14] |
| 2024 | National Film and Television Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series 2024 | Won | [15] |
References
edit- ^ Favour, Adeaga (21 August 2020). "Personal life and career of Sannah Mchunu". Briefly. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ Machethe, Sindiswa (26 August 2021). "Sana Mchunu Bio". Celebioza. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Sana Mchunu Biography". Savanna News. 29 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ Nkosi, Joseph; MA. "Sannah Mchunu biography: age, husband, background, children - The Nation". Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "Sana Mchunu reveals 'Don' reminded her of her ex-husband who dumped her with their 5 children". Africa Updates. 22 November 2021. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "Gomora actress Sana Mchunu(Zodwa) grateful for her failed marriage". Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ Faeza. "Actress Sana Mchunu opens up about her painful past and how acting opened many doors for her". Drum. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "Gomora actress Sana Mchunu's daughter causes chaos on social media - Pictures". Celebs Now. 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 1 June 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "5 things you need to know about Sana Mchunu". www.glamour.co.za. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "'Gomora': Sannah Mchunu (Zodwa) says divorce saved her career". The South African. 13 August 2021. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Sana Mchunu: TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ Leteba, Lineo. "Gomora's 100th episode: 5 best scenes from Teddy and Zodwa". Drum. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "Gomora actress Sana Mchunu(Zodwa) is in mourning". Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ de Wee, Naledi (13 April 2022). "DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards: Take a look at all the nominees". The South African. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ Keteyi, Oluthando (11 November 2024). "Nambitha Ben-Mazwi, Deli Malinga and Vuyo Dabula among winners at National Film & TV Awards South Africa". Independent Online. Retrieved 13 November 2024.