Johannesburg – Actress Amanda Manku, known for her role as Lizzy on the popular SABC1 soap opera Skeem Saam, has revealed the emotional toll of portraying a particularly challenging storyline, while simultaneously grappling with the ongoing trial of the men accused of murdering her mother and grandmother.
On Skeem Saam, Manku's character, Lizzy, faces an agonising dilemma: choose between her own life and the lives of her unborn twins. Doctors have warned her that continuing with the pregnancy could lead to paralysis due to pre-existing spinal cord injuries stemming from a past shooting.
Amanda (33) described the difficulty of embodying such a weighty decision. "The current storyline has Elizabeth facing a rollercoaster of a ride. Years ago, she was shot, and now, this has caught up with her. She's got spinal cord injuries, leading to complications in her pregnancy and the heart-wrenching decision of saving her life or the pregnancy, or even continuing with the pregnancy and facing disability," she explained.
The actress confessed to shedding many tears during filming. "It's a very tricky and powerful story. This is one of those stories that require deep understanding before you even start shooting. Social media shows how many people relate to the story because it’s a situation where no decision feels right. It's not an easy decision to make."
"Personally, playing this role was intense, and even when they called cut, I found myself still crying because it was so heavy. With the help of my co-star Clement Maosa, I managed to portray the storyline,” she added.
Manku also highlighted the storyline's message about the importance of heeding parental advice and facing the consequences of one's actions. Lizzy's current predicament stems from ignoring her mother's warnings nine years prior.
"Even when her mum advised against certain things, she didn’t listen, thinking she knew it all. Nine years later, she's facing challenges. Different choices back then could have prevented this situation. This story shows us that every action has a reaction. Be mindful of your decisions, as they always lead to repercussions, whether positive or not," Amanda cautioned.
Off-Screen Tragedy: Murder Trial Commences
The trial began on 10 February 2025, and to date, five witnesses have been called to the stand, with thirty more expected to testify. The accused have been in custody since their arrest.
Amanda's uncles have already testified, recounting the events of the day their loved ones were murdered and describing the horrific injuries found on the bodies of the deceased.
“On our arrival, we went close to the bodies to check where the gun wounds were. The first one shown to us was Lettie Maphothoma, and she had a gun wound on her chest, stomach, and her left leg. We went to see another one. When we got closer, we discovered that she was shot on the back of her head, chest, and stomach,” said a police officer who worked on the day of the incident.
Other witnesses described the vehicle used by the killers as silver-grey with a Mpumalanga number plate.
Amanda's uncle, who was the last witness on the stand, testified that he was with the two deceased when they noticed an unfamiliar car.
“This vehicle puzzled my mom and sister because it had a Mpumalanga registration, and asked themselves what it was doing there at night. On our way, they were still talking about the car and suggested to ring a whistle so that the community can come out and they let them know about the unknown car and what it wanted,” he said.
The trial continues with new witnesses expected to provide further details surrounding the tragic events. As Amanda Manku continues to deliver powerful performances on Skeem Saam, she also faces the difficult reality of seeking justice for her murdered mother and grandmother.
