Fulu Mugovhani (born 7 September 1990 in Thohoyandou) is a South African actress. In 2015, she starred in '' Ayanda'' as the title character, a role that earned her many accolades and nominations including the Africa Movie Academy Awards, South African Film and Television Awards and Africa International Film Festival awards.

Personal life

Mugovhani was born in Thohoyandou, a town in the Limpopo province of South Africa. She studied

musical theatre Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movemen ...

at Tshwane University of Technology, where her father taught, finishing her degree in 2011. She married her sweetheart, Timi Modibedi, who works as a DJ and record producer, in June 2018.

Career

In 2012, Mugovhani joined an international production of the musical '' The Lion King'', produced by

Hong Kong Disneyland Hong Kong Disneyland () (local nickname ''HKDL''; also known as HK Disneyland) is a theme park located on reclaimed land in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island. It is located inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and it is owned and managed by Hong Ko ...

, in the role of Nala. For the production and performances she moved to Hong Kong for a year and a half. In 2013, she landed her first role in television, acting in the mini-series ''Remix'', as well as acting in the soap opera ''

Scandal! ''Scandal!'' (formerly ''The Voice'') is a South African soap opera produced by Ochre Moving Pictures and broadcast on e.tv. It is one of the most watched soapies in South Africa, contending with SABC 1's longest-running soapie '' Generations: ...

''. In 2015, Mugovhani starred in the lead role of the movie '' Ayanda'', directed by

Sara Blecher Sara Blecher (born Gauteng) is a South African director and producer. Biography Originally from South Africa, Blecher's family moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1981, when she was 12 years old. Her family is originally of Jewish Lithuanian origin, ...

. This role earned her many accolades, including the Best Actress in a leading role award at the

12th Africa Movie Academy Awards The 2016 Africa Movie Academy Awards ceremony was held on Saturday 11 June 2016 at the Obi Wali International Conference Center in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The ceremony recognized and honored excellence among directors, actors, and writers in ...

, the Best Actress in a feature film award at the 10th South African Film and Television Awards, and the Best Actress award at the 2015 Africa International Film Festival. At the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, she was nominated for Best Actress in a Drama, but didn't win. In 2017, Mugovhani had a recurring role in the soap opera '' Isidingo'' on SABC 3. Also, in the same year, she starred in the soap opera ''Ring of Lies'' in the role of Rendani, a Musangwe fighter who pursues her dream of becoming a champion boxer, despite her conservative father's desires. In 2020, after a hiatus of a year, she starred in the series ''Still Breathing'', where she portrayed a mother and wife for the first time, and in the South African comedy film '' Seriously Single''. Mugovhani has said in an interview that there is a difference performing on stage and on screen, needing to project her voice differently. This challenged her when she transitioned from theatre to television and film, as well as made it hard for her to be able to perform on stage after filming.

Filmography

* ''Remix'' (2013) * ''

'' (2013) * '' Ayanda'' (2015) * '' The Lucky Specials'' (2017) * '' Isidingo'' (2017) * ''Ring of Lies'' (2017) * ''Still Breathing'' (2020) * '' Seriously Single'' (2020)

References

1989 births Living people People from Thulamela Local Municipality South African Venda people 21st-century South African actresses Tshwane University of Technology alumni {{SouthAfrica-actor-stub