Brenda Ngxoli Takes On Brenda Fassie in SABC1’s New Docu-Series

When news spread that Brenda Ngxoli would play Brenda Fassie in the upcoming four-part docu-series Vulindlela, reactions were instant. Within hours, social media lit up with excitement, curiosity, and plenty of debate.

SABC1 confirmed the casting in mid-November, describing the project as a detailed look at the life and legacy of one of South Africa’s most magnetic performers. Ngxoli, a seasoned actress with more than twenty years in television and theatre, takes on one of the most challenging portrayals of her career, stepping into the story of a woman whose music still defines an era.

Brenda Ngxoli – Instagram

Fassie wasn’t just a star. She was a mirror to her time; fearless, unpredictable, and deeply human. Taking on her role is no small task. Ngxoli’s casting suggests that the producers were looking for skill, not celebrity, and wanted a performer who could hold both the humour and heartbreak that shaped Fassie’s journey.

The docu-series, Vulindlela, will blend interviews, rare footage, and dramatised scenes. SABC1 says it aims to show “the rise, the collapse, and the reinvention that shaped Brenda Fassie’s extraordinary career.” The focus isn’t only on her fame but also the hard truths behind it: the pressure of fame, personal struggles, and public scrutiny that came with being South Africa’s biggest pop icon.

Brenda Ngxoli – Instagram

As with anything tied to Fassie’s name, opinions came fast. Some fans argued that her niece, Gemma Fassie, should have played the role, while others felt Ngxoli was the right choice, an experienced actress who could carry both the energy and vulnerability needed for the part. The split reaction shows how strongly South Africans still feel about Brenda Fassie’s story. She remains more than a memory; she’s still a presence.

The first episode airs on Saturday, 15 November 2025, at 8pm on SABC1. Each part will explore a phase of Fassie’s life: her breakthrough, her rise to fame, the turbulence that followed, and finally, the legacy she left behind. Actor Sphamandla Dhludlu will play Chicco Twala, Fassie’s longtime collaborator and friend, adding another layer to the story’s authenticity. Producers have said they’re steering clear of a polished retelling, promising instead to show the woman behind the music without trimming away the difficult parts.

Brenda Ngxoli – Instagram

This project lands at a time when South African broadcasters are investing more in homegrown stories. But Vulindlela isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a cultural reflection. Fassie’s music carried the sound of resilience and rebellion. Retelling her story is a reminder of how pop culture and politics often collided in the country’s most creative years.

For those who grew up dancing to “Weekend Special” or shouting along to “Vuli Ndlela,” this series will do more than stir old memories. With Brenda Ngxoli stepping into Fassie’s shoes, it revisits the fire, flaws, and freedom that made Brenda Fassie unforgettable, and still unmistakably ours.