Amanda Manku Breaks Silence on the Passing of Her Mother and Grandmother

Well-known South African actress Amanda Manku finally speaks out about her mum and gogo’s deaths.The actress, who is known for her character Lizzy on SABC1’s Skeem Saam, lost her family members in 2021.

Gladys Manku and Letty Maphothoma were shot dead on their way home from fetching water.

Amanda’s dad was arrested earlier this year in connection with the murders and has been in custody since.

In an interview with actress Pasi Koetle on Mommy Diaries, Amanda expressed how her mum’s death has affected her.

“From 2021, I’ve been on auto pilot. I’m kinda realising that I’m coming back to earth. And 2024 has been that year for me. Things happen in our lives,” she said.

She said she still needs to deal with her loss.

“Something inside me also died on the day they both died,” she said.

Amanda said her mum conceived her when she was 15.

“She was my friend, and my gran was my mum. When both of them died, I was angry with God. I was angry that He took the two women I knew, who were God-fearing and prayerful.”

She said the manner in which they died still doesn’t make sense.

“I thought I was fine. I was still living at home at the time and there were all these things happening,” she said.

“All along I was on auto pilot, and it was as if they were visiting from somewhere. Losing your mum is something else. I was angry and would shout in my prayers and didn’t listen to gospel music because it didn’t make sense at all.

“My dad was my best friend. He was my pillar of strength, and this is the man arrested for the murder of my mums. I had perfect parents, including my dad. They had me when they were young, and it was a perfect love story, but Satan doesn’t like beautiful things.”

She said she’s found her strength in God.

“Being weak wasn’t an option. I’m the first born of five kids. I had to be strong for my siblings,” she said.

Amanda said she’s lost her dad even though he’s still alive.

“He was the best dad and anyone who knows me knows that I would have spoken about him,” she said.