Cynthia Erivo sparks debate over Miriam Makeba biopic casting

British actress Cynthia Erivo has sparked both debate and praise following a video of her practicing isiXhosa for her role in the upcoming biopic, ‘The Road Home’. The film explores the lives of South African music legends Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela during the Apartheid era.

Initial reactions from South Africans were mixed, with some critics questioning the casting of a British actress for a South African icon and expressing concerns regarding linguistic authenticity. However, a clip of Erivo discussing her language lessons and her ability to master the ‘Q’ click sound has since garnered positive attention online.

The R300 million production features Thabo Rametsi as Masekela. Erivo has expressed that she feels ‘honoured’ to portray Makeba, describing the singer as a ‘legend, a storyteller, a healer’.