News that Jennifer Hudson has been cast in a movie based on the life and struggles of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has sent up a cloud of controversy, not unlike the life and struggles of Winnie herself.

The movie, entitled Winnie, is set for a 2011 release and is to be directed by South African director Darrell Roodt, whose film Yesterday was nominated for an Academy Award in 2005. This week the Creative Workers' Union of SA (CWUSA) called upon the director to reconsider his casting choice, saying that South African actors were being disrespected by not being considered for the plum role.

We can't say we disagree with CWUSA's viewpoint. Who better to play the ANC stalwart than an actress who has an innate knowledge of the woman and her legacy? Nothing against Jennifer Hudson, though. Her rise from reality show reject to Oscar-winner was one of the sweetest fairytales of the decade, and it is incredibly difficult to fund a film project that doesn't have a star attraction at the top of the bill.

We take a look at a few talented South African ladies we think could easily do the job...

Terry Pheto
The gorgeous Pheto captivated audiences around the world in SA's Oscar-winning crowning achievement Tsotsi. Since then she's found steady work in Catch a Fire and Goodbye Bafana, but she certainly can do better and just needs that one star-making role to make her an automatic choice for filmmakers around the world. That L'Oreal endorsement contract is only going to take her so far.


Leleti Khumalo
One of the most recognisable faces in SA cinema, Leleti has worked with Roodt before, playing an HIV-infected woman left to care for her daughter on her own after her husband dies of Aids. She also impressed in Hotel Rwanda, one of the most acclaimed movies of the decade, opposite Don Cheadle and Joaquin Phoenix. She also has a supporting role in Clint Eastwood's upcoming 1995 Rugby World Cup drama Invictus. But most South Africans still know her as Sarafina. She doesn't really resemble Winnie very closely, but such an accomplished actress should've been at the top of Roodt's casting wishlist.


Vuyelwa Booi
Best known for playing the lovely Alyce on SABC's 7de Laan, Alyce certainly has the look down pat. While most of her work has been on a daytime soapie, the emotional rollercoaster her character has been on over the last year has helped her hone in on her dramatic abilities. She's probably not as well known as some of the other candidates, which counts against her. But nobody knew who the hell Sharlto Copley was a year ago, did they?


Thandiswa Mazwai
The singer has little acting experience, outside of a cameo in Catch a Fire as a funeral singer. But you just can't fake this kind of charisma and magnetism. Anyone who has seen her perform live, or even watched one of her music videos can attest to this. And when has an odd musical casting choice ever hurt? Just look at the multiple-threats posed by Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Zola and Cher on the entertainment landscape. The less said about Madonna's acting career, the better.


Honourable mentions:

Sophie Ndaba - Undoubtedly the Queen of South African TV, which just also happens to be her character's name on Generations.

Bonnie Henna - The young actress can next be seen in Invictus, playing Nelson Mandela's estranged daughter Zindzi.

KB Motsilenyane - Another soapie goddess with oodles of charm.

Gugulethu Zuma - Well, why not? With a president father and a cabinet minister mother, the Isidingo actress seems better placed than most to play Winnie.

*Are there any deserving talents that we've overlooked? We want to know what you think!