Biography
Neo Matsunyane (born January 17, 1967) is a South African director, TV presenter, actor, and voice artist. He is best known for playing the lead role in the SABC2 drama series Kelebone.
As a presenter, he is a familiar face for presenting The Toasty Show, a live breakfast program on e.tv, for seven months. His marriage and divorce to the Botswana actress and filmmaker Constance Ferguson made headlines.
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| Quick Facts | |
| Full Name: | Neo Muntu Matsunyane |
| Born: | January 17, 1967 (age 56 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Johannesburg |
| Nationality: | South Africa |
| Education: | Kebalepile High School |
| Spouse: | Connie Ferguson (m. 1993–1998) |
| Occupation: | Director, TV presenter, actor, voice artist |
| Net worth: | R45 million |
Early Life
Neo Muntu Matsunyane was born on January 17, 1967, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He attended schools in Jozi, Sterkspruit, and Mafikeng.
Education
Matsunyane attended Kebalepile High School in Mafikeng. He obtained a certificate from The School of Broadcasting in 1991.
In 1995, he finished a seven-month film director’s course with the SABC in conjunction with Bateleur Films. He completed a script analysis course at Pretoria Technikon.
Matsunyane completed a Hollywood Film Institute Course run by Dov Simens.
Career
Neo is a veteran actor and has been in the acting industry for decades. He played lead roles in TV productions like Maitemogelo, On the Right Track, Getting it Together, Class of ’92, Kgweetsa, and Mmalonya I and II.
With many cameo appearances in many television shows, he has continued to showcase raw talent. He appeared in Desert Diners, Generations, African Skies, Going Up, Rhodes, Ke Nyala Mang, Matswakabele I, II, and III, Grondbaronne, Soul Buddyz IV and Usindiso.
Neo is also a talented presenter and handled the e.tv’s breakfast show, The Toasty Show. On his list is presenting the game shows Ho Taka and Doors, and the quiz shows Bop Shop and Motsamai.
Some educational programs he has presented include Science Club and Turn on to English. Matsunyane has appeared in many films and movies.
Some of his movie credits include Red Scorpion, Wheels & Deals, and Vusi the Voter. He appeared in corporate videos for Edgars, Standard Bank, Sasol, SAB, and AIDS inserts for the SABC.
Neo Matsunyane is a successful director and has worked with many production houses. He has done voice-overs for many productions. In 2016, his work on the SABC1 drama series Mzansi earned him a nomination for Best Director.
His first directorial was in 1994, and he has directed more production ever since. He started by directing some episodes of Young Vision, an SABC1 youth drama series.
The list of production he has directed continues to increase. Some of his works include Soul City, Takalani Sesame I, II and IV, Take 5, Emzini Wezinsizwa IX, Dube on 2, Mzansi, Soul Buddyz III and IV.
Neo also directed Afro Café, Motswako The Mix, Scandal!, the music and dance show Jika Majika, the television soap opera Muvhango, the youth-targeted soap opera Backstage, Curious Culture, and Usindiso (Redemption).
Matsunyane worked as an assistant director for many shows, such as the M-Net Face of Africa Final in 1998, Reflexions, and The Gift.
Personal Life
Neo Matsunyane married Botswana actress and filmmaker Constance Ferguson in 1993. Their union lasted for eight years after they separated in 1998. He had his daughter, Lesedi Matsunyane, with Connie. Lesedi is also an actress and film producer.
Matsunyane has another daughter Kgomotso “MoMo” Matsunyane. He speaks Setswana, English, Afrikaans, North and South Sotho, Xhosa, Zulu, and SiSwati. He resides in Johannesburg.
Social Profile
The seasoned director showcases his directing prowess on his social media pages. He posts his career journey, highlights, new roles, moments with family, and more.
Net Worth
Neo is many job titles under his belt. He earns from advertisements also and his voice-over gigs. He has worked with many top brands in South Africa and overseas.
Neo has partnered with Standard Bank, SAB, SABC, Edgars, and Sasol. He generated almost half his net worth from advert deals. The actor drives exotic cars and has an estimated net worth of R45 million as of January 2023.
Television Roles
- #Karektas as Celebrity Guest
- Grootboom & Sons as Doctor
- Soul Buddyz as Guest Star
- The River as News Reporter
- uSkroef noSexy as Evangelist Kenny