Zizipho Buti, the talented actress starring in Showmax’s Soft Life, has opened up about how her character, Owami Gqoji, resonates with her own life. In the series, Owami is a Tembisa woman who finds herself navigating the glamorous world of high-society companionship in order to pay off her mother’s mounting medical bills.
In an interview with The Citizen, Zizipho revealed a surprising connection between her personal experiences and her role as Owami. The two share striking similarities in their relationships with their fathers, something Zizipho had not fully realised until taking on the role.
“My mother was in a relationship with her lecturer, who was married. And this is where I saw a strong connection to Owami’s story,” Zizipho explained. “My father passed away, but during his life, he wanted to be involved in mine. He made sure I attended private schools, paid for my education, and provided for me as much as he could. Although he was married, and my mother and I were a secret in his life, he tried his best to be present for me.”
Zizipho pointed out that while her character Owami did not have a relationship with her father, her own experience was different. “Despite the circumstances of not growing up with him in the house, he still made an effort to support me. The parallels between our father-daughter dynamics were striking. And they helped me connect with Owami on a deeper level,” she said.
Taking on the emotional depth of Owami has also challenged Zizipho in new ways. “She is highly emotional, which is the opposite of who I am in real life,” Zizipho shared. “Tapping into her pain and resilience was exhausting but deeply rewarding. I remember coming home from set feeling so exhausted from all of Owami’s crying. But it was a good challenge.”
