Amanda Manku, known for her role as Lizzy on SABC1’s Skeem Saam, has finally opened up about the tragic deaths of her mother, Gladys Manku, and her grandmother, Letty Maphothoma. The two women were shot dead in 2021 on their way home after fetching water. Earlier this year, Amanda’s father was arrested in connection with the murders and has remained in custody since.
In an emotional interview on Mommy Diaries with actress Pasi Koetle, Amanda shared how the loss of her mother has deeply affected her. “From 2021, I’ve been on autopilot. 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, reflecting on the difficult years since the tragedy.
Amanda opened up about how the deaths of her mum and grandmother left her shattered. “Something inside me also died on the day they both died,” she shared.
She revealed how her mother, who conceived Amanda at the age of 15, was more than just a parent to her. “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.” The actress admitted that the way they died still haunts her. “I thought I was fine… all along I was on autopilot, and it was as if they were visiting from somewhere. Losing your mum is something else,” she said, adding that she even struggled with her faith. “I would shout in my prayers and didn’t listen to gospel music because it didn’t make sense at all.”
Amanda’s relationship with her father has also been a source of pain. “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,” she shared, explaining how difficult it has been to reconcile her father’s actions with the man she once knew.
Despite the heartache, Amanda has found strength in God and her role as a mother. “Being weak wasn’t an option. I’m the firstborn of five kids. I had to be strong for my siblings,” she said. Although her father is still alive, she feels like she’s lost him. “He was the best dad… he was a big contributing factor to how I knew parenthood.”
Speaking about her own journey through motherhood, Amanda said, “Being a mother is the center of my life, even when you feel like giving up on life, you don’t have that choice to be weak.”
Amanda concluded by offering words of comfort to those going through similar tragedies, reminding them that strength can be found even in the darkest of times.
