Siyabonga Thwala

Siyabonga Thwala (born 8 September 1969) is a South African actor, businessman, television presenter, producer. He is best known for his role of Mpiyakhe Zungu on Mzansi Magic's ''Isibaya''. Siyabonga Thwala has starred and appeared in a number of high profile television shows in South Africa winning multiple awards for his acting.

He starred as newspaper publisher Vusi Zwane opposite Luthuli Dlamini on e.tv's ''Scandal!'' when the first went on air in 2005, a role that would earn him his first South African Film and Television Award. In 2007 he joined the cast of ''Generations'' as Paul Mashaba opposite Seputla Sebogodi. Siyabonga Thwala also portrayed the character of Busani Mojalefa on '' Muvhango'' and briefly returned to e.tv as DH Radebe on ''Rhythm City'' opposite Jamie Bartlett. In 2018 he created and hosted a documentary series, ''Yobe'' (a Zulu word for "forgive").

Career

Thwala began his acting career in 1989. He made his screen acting debut in the 1996 made-for-TV movie ''Born Free: A New Adventure''. In the same year, he played a cameo in an episode of the television series ''Tarzan: The Epic Adventures'' entitled “Tarzan and the Scarlet Diamond” (Season 1, Episode 5). In 1998 he was offered the role of Godlieb Mofokeng in the SABC 3 soapie ''Isidingo'' but turned it down, as he felt he was not ready for a long-term commitment to television. Shortly after, he was cast on TV sitcom ''Streaks'' based on a Cape Town hair salon, where he acted alongside Themba Ndaba. In 2003 he was cast in the recurring role of Jimmy on ''Gazlam''.

Thwala rose to fame through his role as Vusi Zwane on the e.tv soap opera, ''Scandal!''. His role went on to earn him a Golden Horn Award (South African Film and Television Award) for Best Actor in a TV Soap.

In 2007, he was cast in the role of Paul Mashaba, the journalist younger brother of ruthless businessman Kenneth Mashaba played by Seputla Sebogodi, on SABC 1's ''Generations''. He left the show in 2010.

In 2013, he earned what is arguably the biggest role of his career as taxi boss Mpiyakhe Zungu on Mzansi Magic's highly acclaimed ''Isibaya''. The role of Mpiyakhe Zungu became so well loved by viewers that, for most of the show's run, the character remained the central figure around whom the story was written. The role earned him the 2014 South African Film and Television Award for Best Actor in a TV Drama.

Thwala joined the cast of ''Muvhango'' in a leading role as Busani Mojalefa. In the same year he appeared on e.tv's ''Rhythm City'' as DH Radebe. He also appeared on the HIV/AIDS drama series ''Intersexions'' winning him his 2nd South African Film and Television Award in 2014 for Best Actor in TV drama.

Thwala created and hosted a documentary series, ''Yobe'', which sought to unite victims and perpetrators - helping them reach a point of understanding and forgiveness. In 2019, he was cast in the award-winning political drama-thriller ''The Republic'' as corrupt former president Hendrik, starring alongside Florence Masebe and Hlomla Dandala.

Awards

* 2007 South African Film and Television Awards for Best Actor in a TV Soap (''Scandal!'')
* 2014 South African Film and Television Awards for Best Actor in a TV Soap (''Isibaya'')
* 2014 South African Film and Television Awards for Best Actor in TV Drama Series (''Intersexions'')
* 2014 Royalty Soapie Awards for Outstanding actor in Soap (''Isibaya'')

National Film and Television Awards

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References

External links

The Nation News

TVSA biography of Siyabonga Thwala

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thwala, Siyabonga
Living people
1969 births