Ana Magaia
Ana Magaia
Born
Ana dos Remédios Magaia
(1958-12-27) December 27, 1958
Lourenço Marques, Mozambique
OccupationsActress, Producer, Theatre performer
Years active1980s–present
Notable workGranma Nineteen and the Soviet’s Secret, Mosquito, Não é Preciso Empurrar

Ana dos Remédios Magaia (born 27 December 1958) is a Mozambican actress, producer and theatre performer. She has been active in stage, film, and television for more than four decades, becoming one of Mozambique’s most influential cultural figures.[1][2] Magaia gained international recognition for her portrayal of Grandmother Catarina in João Ribeiro’s film Granma Nineteen and the Soviet’s Secret (2019), a role that earned her the Best Supporting Actress award at the Kisima Music & Film Awards in 2020.[3][4] Her extensive body of work spans theatre, television and cinema, and she continues to advocate for professionalisation and education in Mozambique’s film industry.[5][6]

Early life and education

Magaia was born in Lourenço Marques (now Maputo), Mozambique, on 27 December 1958.[1] She is the daughter of José Francisco dos Remédios and Judite João Baptista Machalele.[1] From an early age she participated in local community performances in Bairro do Aeroporto, where she developed an interest in music, dance and acting.[1]

Career

Theatre

Magaia began her artistic career in theatre shortly after Mozambique’s independence in 1975. She was a member of the cultural troupe Tchova Xita Duma and appeared in post-independence stage productions such as Xiluva (1983), Rosita até Morrer by Luís Bernardo Honwana (1983), A Boa Pessoa de Sezuany by Bertolt Brecht (1986), and A Revolta da Casa dos Ídolos by Pepetela (1984).[7]

In 2002, she participated in the Lusophone co-production Vim-te Buscar in Lisbon, Portugal, promoted by Cena Lusófona.[8] Magaia continues to perform and direct in Maputo, often focusing on socially conscious and educational theatre.[9]

Film and television

Magaia made her screen debut in the 1985 co-production O Tempo dos Leopardos, directed by Zdravko Velimirović.[10] She gained national recognition with the 1994 television series Não é Preciso Empurrar, considered Mozambique’s first telenovela.[11]

She has also worked behind the scenes as a casting director and assistant director in films such as África Dreaming (1997) and Terra Sonâmbula (2007).[5]

Her later film roles include:

  • Mosquito (2020) – directed by João Nuno Pinto, as Namuku.
  • Granma Nineteen and the Soviet’s Secret (2019) – directed by João Ribeiro, as Grandmother Catarina.[3]

Awards and recognition

YearAward / HonourWork / CategoryOrganisation / EventNotes
2020Best Supporting ActressGranma Nineteen and the Soviet’s SecretKisima Music & Film AwardsRecognised for her performance as Grandmother Catarina.[3]
2020Presidential CommendationContribution to Mozambican cinemaOffice of the President of MozambiquePublicly congratulated by the President for artistic excellence.[4]
2024Cultural HonourLifetime contribution to Mozambican arts and cultureTelevisão de Moçambique / Hlambetweni Cultural AssociationHonoured in Marracuene alongside Noel Langa, Isau Meneses, and Marcelo Ponguane.[6]

Cultural advocacy

Magaia is an advocate for arts education and for the professionalisation of the Mozambican film industry. She has welcomed the introduction of the country’s new Cinema and Audiovisual Law as a positive step toward greater stability and opportunity for artists.[5] She continues to perform storytelling sessions and readings, including the 2023–2024 series Estórias com Ana Magaia at the Camões Centro Cultural Português in Maputo.[12]

Selected filmography

YearTitleRole / PositionTypeNotes
1985O Tempo dos LeopardosSupporting roleFilmMozambican–Yugoslav co-production directed by Zdravko Velimirović.[10]
1994Não é Preciso EmpurrarMain castTelevision seriesRegarded as Mozambique’s first telenovela.[11]
1997África DreamingAssistant directorFilmWorked behind the scenes in this short-film anthology.
2007Terra SonâmbulaCasting directorFilmAdaptation of Mia Couto’s novel.
2019Granma Nineteen and the Soviet’s SecretGrandmother CatarinaFilmDirected by João Ribeiro.[3]
2020MosquitoNamukuFilmDirected by João Nuno Pinto

Legacy

Magaia is widely recognised as a pioneer of post-independence Mozambican cinema and theatre.[13] Her career spans more than forty years, during which she has mentored younger artists and contributed to the professionalisation of the Mozambican arts industry.[9]

References

  1. ^ abcd"Ana Magaia: continuo aquela menina marota". Jornal Domingo (in Portuguese). 9 October 2019.
  2. ^"Revista Índico n.º 66". Revista Índico (in Portuguese). May 2023.
  3. ^ abcd"Mozambique @ Kisima 2020: João Ribeiro awarded Best Africa Director, Ana Magaia Best Supporting Actress for "Granma Nineteen and the Soviet's Secret"". Club of Mozambique. 14 December 2020.
  4. ^ ab"Presidente da República felicita João Ribeiro e actriz Ana Magaia". O País (in Portuguese). 17 December 2020.
  5. ^ abc"Ana Magaia acredita que o cinema moçambicano terá dias melhores". O País (in Portuguese). 23 May 2017.
  6. ^ ab"Personalidades das artes e cultura homenageadas em Marracuene". Televisão de Moçambique (in Portuguese). 6 May 2024.
  7. ^"Cena Lusófona – Comunicado de Imprensa 23 Apr 2002 – Ana Magaia". Cena Lusófona (in Portuguese).
  8. ^"Comunicado de imprensa: Cena Lusófona apresenta "Vim-te Buscar"". Cena Lusófona (in Portuguese). 2002.
  9. ^ ab"Revista Índico n.º 62 – Entrevista: Ana Magaia"(PDF) (in Portuguese). LAM Moçambique. July 2019.
  10. ^ ab"O Tempo dos Leopardos"(PDF) (in Portuguese). CESA Lisboa. 2022.
  11. ^ ab"Cultura: Não é Preciso Empurrar – A primeira telenovela moçambicana" (in Portuguese). Jornal Domingo.
  12. ^"Estórias com Ana Magaia – Camões Centro Cultural Português". Camões CCP Moçambique (in Portuguese). 2023.
  13. ^"Conversa Mabulo – Livros e estórias da minha vida". Carta de Moçambique (in Portuguese). 29 June 2023.
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