South African television has never been short of talented actors, but not a lot have remained as consistently magnetic as Rami Chuene. From the unforgettable Gracious Mabuza on The Queen to standout performances in How To Ruin Christmas, Isono, Giyani: Land of Blood, The Republic, Harvest, Muvhango and Scandal!, Chuene has built a reputation for bringing layered, unforgettable women to life. Now she’s doing it again as Vera in e.tv‘s new primetime telenovela, The Four of Us.
Produced by acclaimed production house Tshedza Pictures, founded by Phathutshedzo Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon, the creative force behind The River and Youngins, the drama has spent the past week introducing viewers to the turbulent world of the Dhlomo family, where legacy, ambition, betrayal and emotional warfare collide. New episodes are also available on Netflix, giving audiences another way to keep up with the gripping family saga.
At the heart of the story is Vera, a fiercely loyal businesswoman whose life has been shaped by hardship. Her deep desire for security influences every decision she makes, but beneath her nurturing exterior lies a woman you do not want to provoke.
We caught up with the veteran actress to unpack why this role immediately spoke to her, what makes Vera unlike any character she’s played before, and why sharing the screen with one of the country’s finest ensembles still feels surreal.
What was it about The Four of Us that made you say yes?
I think it was falling in love with the story first and then the production company also became the big decision maker for me.
You’ve played the most powerful women on screen. What makes her different from the characters you’ve played before?
What’s different with Vera is that with her we’re showing a different element of how South Africans live. There’s a misconception that people who live in Diepsloot aspire to one day move out and live in Fourways for instance. But that’s simply not like that. There are people who are actually happy living in the location and are not planning to leave even with the issues they are dealing with. Whether electricity goes off sometimes or they run out of water, they love the space that they are in and work so hard to improve their living conditions.
So Vera and her family they also live in Diepsloot. She’s a business woman and can she can easily afford to live in Fourways but she doesn’t want to because she loves the community that comes with living in Diepsloot. She loves the sense of comfort and the sense of belonging. The sense of being neighbourly and knowing everybody.
She’s a people’s person.
Everybody knows Vera. She’s mama action. She’s a home builder. People go to her for advice. And to also borrow money because she’s also a mashonisa. And she still gives sound doctrine and sound advice. But don’t cross her coz she’s gonna beat you up.
The 4 of Us boasts one of the strongest casts currently on television. What has it been like working alongside them?
Even now, I still can’t believe I’m working with all these incredible people at the same time. I’ve worked with Sindi before, but for many of the others, this is our first project together. Hope Mbhele, Thembinkosi Mthembu, Sdumo Mtshali, Kgaogelo, Nthabiseng and Scelo Buthelezi… they’re all phenomenal.
I remember watching Teddy on Gomora, and now he’s playing my son. Then there’s Crocodile from Sarafina!, so many of us had a crush on him, and now he’s playing my husband. Can you believe it? He’s such a gifted actor and has been doing this for years. I’ve also worked with Fezile Makhanya before, and he’s always such a sweetheart. Walking onto set every day and seeing this calibre of talent around you is incredibly humbling. It’s truly a blessing.
Watch The Four of Us from Monday to Friday at 8PM on etv. The Four of Us boasts a powerhouse ensemble led by SAFTA-winning stars Sindi Dlathu, Sdumo Mtshali and Thembinkosi Mthembu as the feuding Dhlomo siblings. They are joined by Rami Chuene, Dumisani Dlamini, Hope Mbhele, Kealeboga Masango, Sibongile Nojila, Seipati Mahamu, Lebohang Lephatsoana, Nombulelo Letsosa, Pascaline Phale, Nthabiseng Kgosana, Scelo Buthelezi, Quinton Madlala and Tebogo Malapane, bringing together a blend of acclaimed veterans and exciting new talent in a story driven by family, legacy, power and betrayal.
