In a heartfelt interview, *Skeem Saam* actress Amanda Manku, known for her role as Lizzy, shared the emotional journey she has faced since the tragic loss of her mother and grandmother at the hands of her father. Speaking on the *Mommy Diaries Podcast*, Manku revealed how deeply her father’s actions have affected her and how she has struggled to come to terms with the heartbreaking events.*
During the podcast, Manku reflected on how her life changed drastically after the murders. She shared that while her initial response was to convince herself she was coping, 2024 was the year that made her realize just how deeply the loss had impacted her.
“I thought I was fine at first, but this year it really hit me that they are no longer here,” she said, expressing the profound emptiness left by her loved ones’ absence. “I didn’t deal with it at the time; I died. I think the day they passed away was the day something inside me died too.”
Manku’s mother gave birth to her when she was just 15 years old, and the two developed an exceptionally close bond. Her grandmother, in turn, played a pivotal role in raising her. Together, they formed a strong support system, and their deaths left a void in her life that she continues to grapple with.
“My mom had me when she was a teenager, so she was my friend. My grandmother naturally became my mother,” Manku explained, adding that the bond with both women was unbreakable. “When they died, for the longest time, I was angry with God because of the way they were taken from me.”
The actress expressed how central her mother and grandmother were to her life, saying they were the two pillars who provided her with guidance and love. But what made the situation even more devastating was the fact that her father, who had always been her closest companion, was the one responsible for their deaths.
“My father was my best friend,” Manku said. “He was my pillar of strength. To have him arrested for the murder of my mother and grandmother was unbearable. I had what I thought was the perfect family, parents who had me when they were young and were still there for me.”
Despite the enormity of the tragedy, Manku has been working through her grief, though the process has been painful and challenging. She acknowledged that for a long time, she didn’t allow herself to fully confront the reality of her loss, but she is now beginning to process her emotions more deeply.
The star’s candidness in discussing such a personal and traumatic event has resonated with many of her fans, who have expressed their support and admiration for her strength in dealing with such adversity.
As she continues to navigate life without her mother and grandmother, Manku is committed to healing and rebuilding her sense of self. Her openness about her struggles serves as a reminder that grief is a complex and deeply personal journey, one that often takes time and immense courage to overcome.