From Ferguson Films to Good Samaritans of Mzansi: South Africa Rallies Behind Brenda Ngxoli with Financial and Emotional Support
Multi-award-winning actress, voiceover artist, and speaker Brenda Ngxoli sent shockwaves throughout South Africa over the weekend after publishing a harrowing video of herself and her mother having a bitter altercation in which the pair could be heard exchanging injurious accusations of physical abuse.
In the video, the SAFTA-decorated star’s mother can be seen holding what looks like a white pipe, repeatedly wagging it as the two argue, with the main theme of their fight being centered around Ngxoli telling her mother that she was a domestic abuser. Her mother, in the video, also reiterates that Brenda was allegedly known around the village for lifting her hand against her.
Brenda Ngxoli | SUPPLIED
Towards the end of the video, once the conflict had died down, Brenda speaks her mind while the camera is still recording, explaining that she was done keeping the peace and that the fight had erupted after Brenda refused to let a man named Siphamandla, his mother’s apparent lover, talk to and hold her daughter Sky. Capping the recording, Brenda also responded to her mother’s accusation of abuse, stating that it was defamation of character and that she would be taking that seriously.
In more follow-up videos, Brenda, while holding her baby, gives updates on the situation while letting the public know that she had not abused her mother in any sort of way, since she was spreading rumours of being abused at the hands of her daughter.
Brenda eventually posted a video thanking the public for their support, including unsolicited phone calls and messages from complete strangers. She also stated that it was not her intention to air her mother’s dirty laundry, that this was something she had initially hoped to take to the grave with her.
Trigger warning: Video contains content that might be emotionally distressing to sensitive viewers
Video from Brenda Ngxoli’s Facebook | SUPPLIED
South Africans were moved by the traumatic turn of events suffered by the Home Affairs actress, prompting good Samaritans to band together with the common goal of supporting Brenda.
In the spirit of ubuntu, Mandisi Tshingana volunteered to have his bank account be used to raise funds to support the former The Queen star. Since starting the initiative, Tshingana, with the help of generous donors, was able to raise a whooping R90 000.
In addition, Brenda’s former employers, Ferguson Films, wired R50 000 to Tshingana’s bank account to add to the balance.
On top of the monetary donations, more supporters and businesses chipped in to sponser Brenda with various gfits and services, including an all-expenses-paid getaway to Lilitha Boutique Farm Lodge, a beauty makeover as well as a photography session.