Thuso Mbedu

Thuso Mbedu. Image via Twitter @ICEKREAM_MAG

Halala! Thuso Mbedu to receive International Women of Power Award

South African actress Thuso Mbedu will be honoured with a special award at the International Women of Power wards on 31 July.

Thuso Mbedu

Thuso Mbedu. Image via Twitter @ICEKREAM_MAG

Since stealing the limelight in Barry Jenkins’ The Underground Railroad, South African actress Thuso Mbedu has become an unstoppable force in Hollywood. The talented actress is set to be honoured at the 2022 International Women of Power Awards on Sunday 31 July in Los Angeles, California. 

The awards will be hosted by several stars including actress and singer-songwriter Ryan Destiny, best known for her role in Grown-ish alongside Yara Shahidi. 

ALSO READ: Thuso Mbedu strikes ground-breaking production deal with Paramount+

WHAT ARE THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF POWER AWARDS? 

2022 marks the 5th annual International Women of Power Awards. Speaking to CBS News, the founder of Heirs of Afrika, Koshie Mills, says the event celebrates black women across all industries. 

“Heirs of Afrika was created to bridge the gap between the disconnect from Africans in the continent and Africans out here. We wanna bring a global sisterhood, black excellence and everyone together so we can foster cultural exchange,” explained Mills. 

“We decided to create this event and really have a good time. We’re gonna have performances. We’ve honoured so many wonderful people and this year, we have more to talk about.” 

THUSO MBEDU TO RECEIVE SPECIAL HONOUR 

Heirs of Afrika is set to honour Thuso Mbedu at the International Women of Power Awards on 31 July. 

In an Instagram post on 24 July, Mbedu was praised as “a force to be reckoned with” and hailed her work in The Underground Railroad

“Thuso even appeared on the 2018 Forbes Africa under 30 list, it’s the accomplished queen for us,” wrote the organisation.

ALSO READ: Thuso Mbedu marks first-ever win at Independent Spirit Awards [watch]

THUSO MBEDU IN ‘THE WOMAN KING’

Thuso Mbedu is set to star in The Woman King alongside Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis. The 31-year-old will play Nawi, an ambitious recruit who joins an all-women army.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, the film’s director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, said there was a special moment between the two actresses during filming. 

“Nawi (played by Thuso Mbedu) is getting chastised for talking back and not respecting and she starts to walk away. In an unscripted moment, [Viola] reaches down and snatches her machete from her. That was a turning point in the scene,” Prince-Bythewood explained. 

“Thuso felt it innately and these tears just sprung to her eyes because they were both so deep in the scene. It was such a special moment to witness.”

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE