- Jill Levenberg, known for her role as Mymoena Samsodien in Suidooster, won the Best Actress award at the 2024 Silwerskerm Awards.
- Levenberg, a Kensington resident, reflected on her nine years playing the character, expressing gratitude for the recognition.
- Her career, spanning over 20 years, includes numerous awards in theatre, television, and film, highlighting her passion for the arts and storytelling.
Jill Levenberg, better known as Mymoena Samsodien in the Afrikaans soap Suidooster, ascribes her recent Silwerskerm Award for Best Actress in a telenovela/soap to hard work and passion for the arts.
The 2024 Silwerskerm Awards for Film and TV were held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Saturday 31 August.
Speaking to People’s Post, the Kensington resident says she feels honoured.
“After nine years of being in Mymoena Samsodien’s shoes as the first Muslim matriarch in a South African soap, I am really grateful for the recognition.
“I’ve had many nominations for her, but this is the first win for this particular character. And I am happy I can continue to be a part of making history with this character and my Suidooster family in South Africa.”
READ | The latest print editions of the People’s Post here
Levenberg is no stranger to the entertainment industry and has won multiple awards for her work in theatre, television, and film over her 20-year career.
She explains that she made her acting debut at primary school while participating in a school play.
After matric, Levenberg completed a BA Honours in English and drama at the University of Cape Town (UCT) graduating on the dean’s merit list in 2004.
As a young girl, she had her eyes set on various career paths, but ultimately the arts won.
“From a young age, I was entertaining the family with concerts and impersonations. But at some point, I also wanted to become an industrial psychologist as well as a lecturer and a criminologist.”
While Levenberg has portrayed many roles over the past two decades, she says the stories of some of the characters will always be dear to her.
Some of her career highlights include playing the role of Ellen Pakkies in Ellen: Die storie van Ellen Pakkies, which saw her win multiple awards, including the Silwerskerm Award for Best Actress in feature film, Best Actress award at the Taormina Film Festival in Italy and a South African Film and Television Award (Safta).
In 2016, she was awarded the Fleur du Cap Theatre award for best performance by a supporting actress in a musical/music theatre show.
Last year, she won the Woordfees award for her role as Diana from Madagascar in the production Droomwerk.
According to Levenberg, the arts are a powerful tool.
She also calls on more support for artists.
“There are not enough funds allocated to the arts. We do not own our images; we have been fighting for a long time for the law to be changed around repeat fees in this country.
“The South African Guild of Actors has been fighting for years to get the government and the president to sign off on this document where the law will be changed regarding repeat fees for actors, and I sincerely hope that minister Gayton Mckenzie will take up this struggle on behalf actors in this country.”
Levenberg says she still gets excited to play a certain role.
“There are so many stories that need to be told. Every time I get a script and it’s exciting or there is a character that hasn’t been seen yet or a story that hasn’t been told yet I get excited. I am passionate about untold stories and unseen characters.
“What keeps me motivated is making a difference in society. Empowering the youth and women. My friends and my family.”
She also shares a message with aspiring artists.
“Do some research on what the work will entail. The long hours, the sacrifices, and often financial sacrifices as well. And then decide if you will be able to cope with that. Keep your mind, body and soul sharp by exercising and reading. Meditation helps as well.
“Take an interest in people and life so that you can tell their stories. So that you can learn that there are different perspectives and never judge the character that you play.”
The actress expressed her gratitude to everyone who has supported her throughout her career.
“I just want to thank every person who has ever supported me in any way and believed in me. Thank you for your love and thank you for your support. May we all continue to spread love and kindness to each other.”
