Biography
Siyabonga Thwala (born 17 March 1969) is a gifted South African television and stage actor, television host, producer and businessman.
He is popularly known for his role of Mpiyakhe Zungu on Mzansi Magic’s Isibaya.
Siyabonga Thwala has starred in several high profile television shows in South Africa, winning multiple awards for his acting.
| Siyabonga Thwala: History, Bio, Photo | |
| Full Name: | Siyabonga Thwala |
| Salary: | N/A |
| Born: | 17 March 1969 |
| Age: | 52 years old |
| Place of Birth: | Umlazi, South Africa |
| Brother: | N/A |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Parents: | N/A |
| Height: | 1.71 m |
| Siblings: | N/A |
| Girlfriend • Wife: | Thandi Twala |
| Occupation: | Actor • Tv Personality |
| Net Worth: | $20 Million |
Early Life
Siyabonga Thwala was born and raised in the Umlazi Township in Durban, KwaZulu- Natal, Thwala began acting in 1989.
He was born in 1996 on the 17th day of March. He found his love for acting at a tender age and was supported by his parents for it.
He also has a brother whose name he has decided to keep private from the media space.
Career
Siyabonga Thwala began his acting career in 1989. He made his acting debut in the 1996 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 new SABC 3 soap opera, Isidingo but refused as he felt he was not yet ready for a long-term commitment to television. Shortly after, he was featured on the TV sitcom, Streaks based on a Cape Town hair salon, where he featured alongside now veteran actor, Themba Ndaba.
In 2003, he featured as Jimmy on Gazlam. Siyabonga Thwala rose to fame through the role of Vusi Zwane on the e.tv then-new soap opera, Scandal!. His role earns him a Golden Horn Award (South African Film and Television Award) for Best Actor in a TV Soap.
In 2007, he featured as Paul Mashaba, the journalist younger brother of ruthless businessman Kenneth Mashaba played by Seputla Sebogodi, on SABC 1’s Generations.
In 2013, he earned was is arguably the biggest role of his career to date, as taxi-boss Mpiyakhe Zungu on MzansibMagic ‘s highly acclaimed Isibaya. The role of Mpiyakhe Zungu became so well-loved by the viewers of the show that for most of the history of the show, the character has been the central figure of which the story has been written around.
The role also earned him the 2014 South African Film and Television Award for Best Actor in a TV Drama.
Siyabonga 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.
Siyabonga Thwala created and hosted the documentary series, Yobe.
In 2019, he featured in the award-winning political drama thriller, The Republic as corrupt former President Hendrik where he starred alongside Florence Masebe and Hlomla Dandala.
Personal Life
Asides from what appears on screens, Siyabonga Thwala is a family man.
He is married to a beautiful wife known as Thandi Thwala. However, little is in public about Siyabonga Thwala‘s wedding.
Also, there is no record of him having a past relationship before meeting his current wife. Siyabonga Thwala and his wife prefer to keep their lives a secret.
Filmography
- Gaz’lam (season 2) as Jimmy
- Generations (Season 1) as Paul Mashaba.
- Intersexions (Season 2) as Musa
- Isibaya (Season 1,2,3,4&5) as Mpiyakhe Zungu.
- Isidingo (Season 1) as J.
- Jozi Streets (Season 1) as Jabu.
- Muvhango (Season 1) as Busani Mojalefa.
- Rhythm City (Season 1) as DH Radebe.
- Scandal! (Season 1) as Vusi Zwane
- Single Guyz (Season 1) as Javvas Jabulani
- Soul City (Season 8) as Dali
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)
- 2014: Best Actor for the TV show IsiBaya during the Golden Horn Award.
- 2014: Best Actor for the TV drama InterSexions during the Golden Horn Award.
Net Worth
With so much money made from his roles in movies, Siyabonga Thwala has packaged an estimated net worth of $20 million.