Brenda Ngxoli Opens Up About Playing Brenda Fassie in Vulindlela

Award-winning actress Brenda Ngxoli is gearing up to honour one of South Africa’s biggest music legends as she steps into the role of Brenda Fassie in SABC1’s new four-part documentary series Vulindlela. The series, which premiered on Saturday, 15 November 2025 at 20:00, brings MaBrrr’s explosive energy, bold personality, and unforgettable journey back to life.

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According to DRUM, Brenda Ngxoli said taking on this role came with a level of pressure she had never felt before. Even with her decades of experience, she admitted that becoming Brenda Fassie was unlike any character she had ever portrayed.

She shared her feelings honestly: “As an actress, I always hope that I do justice to the character and that l’m an open enough vessel to tell the person’s story or to allow the story to be told without my own influence. That’s where my anxiety comes from. This is Nokuzola. It’s not just anybody.”

Brenda also revealed that she was initially against playing the role. “When I got the call, we met at Nicolway in Bryanston, and it had been a couple of years since the nation had voted in consensus for me to play her, and I was very clear that I didn’t want to play her. I never wanted to play her. I feel bad saying it, but I was adamant. I don’t know why, but maybe I was scared.”

At the time, she felt she wasn’t ready. “When we met at the time with the production team, I was overweight, I had just given birth, and I was going through my own things, so I told them that I wouldn’t be the right person, especially at the time,” she added.

But instead of accepting her hesitation, the executive producer, Shandukani Nesengani—who has been working on the series for over 10 years—asked her what she needed to prepare for the role. Brenda knew what it would take, as she had lost weight before. A year later, she trained with personal trainers, just like actors do in Hollywood, to transform into Brenda Fassie.

She even joked that she survived on a “Mediterranean diet” and had a driver provided by the production house to help her stay focused on her role.

Vulindlela tells the inspiring story of Brenda Fassie’s rise from humble beginnings to becoming a superstar who broke barriers and inspired generations. After facing major challenges, MaBrrr made a huge comeback with her hit album Vulindlela, an anthem of strength and triumph still loved today.

The four-part series Vulindlela airs weekly on SABC1, with Episode 1 released on 15 November 2025, followed by Episode 2 on 22 November, Episode 3 on 29 November, and the final Episode 4 on 6 December 2025.