Rising star Zazi Kunene who stars opposite Vusi Kunene in Generations: The Legacy says the actor is not her father.
Source: Instagram
Zazi who is famously known for her roles in Smoke and Mirrors and Shaka ILembe recently joined the soapie as a nanny, Alice.
Rumours of the actress being related to the thespian blew up on social media when she scored the role on the SABC1 TV show.
The actress excitedly took to her X account in December 2024 to share a video herself acting on the SABC1 soapie. She captioned the video:
“Please do not invite me out this December, ngibuka (I’m watching) iGenerations. Thanks. Love u, mbyeiiii.”
Zazi: “I am not related to Vusi or Nhlanhla Kunene”
The actress and singer revealed to Sowetan Live on Monday, 13 January that rumours of her being related to Vusi Kunene began when she played the role of Sindi in e.tv’s Smoke and Mirrors.
“I still can’t believe how big this ‘relation thing’ has blown up. I also can’t believe that people can make up something and believe it. I was so nervous when I joined Generations, thinking that people are going to believe it even more now that I’m on the show,” adds the actress.
Zazi also starred opposite Vusi in Mzansi Magic’s award-winning series Shaka ILembe, where she played Queen Nandi’s daughter and he played a Tsonga king.
The actress also denies reports that she’s related to Adulting actor Nhlanhla Kunene and adds that he’s just an industry friend.
What you need to know about Zazi Kunene
Zazi Kunene, born on 17 May 1999 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, is a South African actress with an inspiring journey to success. As a child, she struggled with a stutter, which made her shy and a target of bullying. Her mother enrolled her in the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy, a pivotal step that helped her gain confidence and pursue her passion for acting.
Zazi studied drama at the University of the Witwatersrand but paused her final year to follow her dreams. She took on a role in a Netflix dance production, a decision she does not regret. She made her acting debut in the Mzansi Magic movie Emlanjeni, portraying a young girl from a disadvantaged background who aspired to study at university despite working as a maid.
Her acting journey began in 2007, with her first role as King Duncan in Macbeth. In 2016, she performed in a reenactment of the Mbongeni Ngema classic Sarafina at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and acted in Ukuvuna at the Soweto Theatre. With a growing portfolio, Zazi continues to shine as a rising star in the South African entertainment industry.
Vusi Kunene dumps House of Zwide
In more entertainment news, Briefly News reported in July 2024 that the veteran actor Vusi Kunene dumped House of Zwide for Generations: The Legacy.
Kunene who portrayed the role of a fashion designer Funani Zwide in the e.tv fashion telenovela returned to the SABC1 soapie to reprise his role as Jack Mabaso.
