Sophie Ndaba on family, fame, and finding strength

Actress Sophie Ndaba, known widely for her iconic role as Queen Moroka on the beloved Generations soapie, has long been a force in South African entertainment. Yet, beneath the spotlight, her heart remains closely tethered to Zimbabwe, the country that shaped her early life and ignited her confidence as an entertainer.

The actress with roots in Zimbabwe was in Harare during the week for a business breakfast.
“It’s an incredible and heart-warming feeling to be back home among my people, as they are the ones who shape us into the brands and public figures we become,” she said in a radio interview.

For Ndaba, staying connected to her heritage is more than sentiment; it is a responsibility. She spent her early years in Harare and Bulawayo, where she was raised and educated, before relocating to South Africa after high school to pursue modelling and an entertainment career.

“It’s exciting that my kids have that connection to Zimbabwe. Being a mother and reminding them of their legacy is very important. You need to always take pride in the people and country that groomed you. For me, Zimbabwe activated me and gave me the confidence that people see on the camera.
“There were not a lot of confident young women when I started out in the industry, but I was able to level up and take charge of that space that did not have those kinds of people who could show the industry that they were there,” she said.

Her connection to Zimbabwe goes beyond memories; it’s embedded in her family. Ndaba spoke about how her two daughters, Rudo and Lwandle, bear names of Zimbabwean descent, a nod to the legacy and culture she continues to celebrate.

As the conversation turned to her career, Ndaba reflected on the challenges and triumphs of embodying Queen Moroka on Generations. “Queen had her own energy and sense of being, and my job was to bring that character to life through me. Queen Moroka shaped how many women saw themselves and related to other women. Many could identify with her fashion sense and demeanor.”

The discussion also explored the pressures of public life. Ndaba recounted how even simple outings with her children required preparation, given her visibility and the public’s desire to engage with her.
“I used to wear a cap every time I would go to the park with my kids to get some fresh air and decompress, but people would still be able to recognise me. So it was very important for me to be prepared and to have the energy to handle it well,” she explained.

The interview also delved into a challenging period in Ndaba’s life, marked by significant weight loss due to a long-term battle with diabetes.
“I remember in that time, I was in a state of depression, and I couldn’t see or care about what people spoke about me because the depression was not linked to or caused by them,” she shared candidly.

“I felt as if half of myself was there while the other half was not. During that time, I was just trying to figure some important things out. I felt that God protected me during that season in my life, and when I came out of it, I had learnt that losing your mental health is not about going crazy, but knowing that you are figuring the answers out to something.”