Penshurst actress returns to the stage in Nelson Mandela musical

Set to premiere in Melbourne on October 4 before heading to Sydney in November, the musical tells the story of Nelson Mandela and the struggles of apartheid in South Africa. 

Vushe plays the role of Sandy Xulu – a young lady who works for a white policeman and becomes an activist after her fiance is sent to prison.

Popular Australian performer Tim Omaji – better known by his stage name, Timomatic – plays Sandy’s fiance, Sam.

It’s the first time in the world the musical, which was originally written and performed in French, has been performed in English.

Vushe said the French creators have been very impressed with the Australian show.

“We managed to make the story very authentic. Knowing we are the first English cast, there have been many changes but we’ve managed to bring up a story really well,” she said. 

Raised in Zimbabwe with mixed race relatives in South Africa, Vushe herself has had personal experience with apartheid.

“My grandma was married to a white South African so I have mixed race cousins … some of them were racist as well,” she said. 

Vushe is hoping to encourage African people living in Sydney to see the musical when it arrives next month. 

“I expect it will be hard on them because of the story that’s being told,” she said. 

“I don’t know how they’re going to take it but at the end of the day it’s about love, unity and peace and that’s what the show promotes and we’re really looking forward to that.”

Vushe has recently appeared on Channel Seven’s All Together Now. She also spent three years travelling with the cast of The Lion King, and was a contestant on Australian Idol in 2007.

Shows will begin in Sydney at the State Theatre on November 1 and run until November 18.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 136 100.