Abena Ayivor

(1975-) Actress for stage and TV.

Biography

Born in Zambia to a Ghanaian father and Zambian mother, and grew up in a big family of eight children in the Eastern Cape.

Training

Studied for a BA degree in law at the University of Cape Town, but dropped out to complete a two year diploma in Drama and Presentation at City Varsity. Abena moved to Johannesburg in 1999.

Career

Her first job was as stand-in for Angela Bassett during technical rehearsals for the film of Boesman and Lena (2000).

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Stage

Her stage debut as actress was for Pieter Toerien, playing "Claudia" in Honour (Joanna Murray-Smith, 2004).

Television

Played "Lerato" in the TV soap Generations, 1999 to 2003.

Then followed parts in the medical series Jozi H, The Royal, a British series, "Dineo" in Isidingo, the BBC miniseries Blood and Oil, Wild At Heart, Jacob's Ladder,