Biography
Mmabatho Montsho (born October 19, 1983) is a multiple-award-winning South African actress, writer, fine artist, and film director. She is best known for playing Lumka Dhlomo in the soap opera Generations.
As an actress, she has appeared in many television and film productions. She played Thembi Phakathi in the musical drama series Rhythm City.
Mmabatho Montsho | |
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Personal Information | |
Full Name: | Mmabatho Montsho |
Born: | October 19, 1983 (age 39 years old) |
Place of Birth: | Soweto, Johannesburg |
Nationality: | South African |
Alma mater: | University of South Africa |
Occupation: | Actress, fine artist, writer, and film director |
Years active: | 2006-date |
Spouse: | Mbuyiseni Ndlozi |
Early Life
Mmabatho Montsho was born on October 19, 1983, at the Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg. She has three siblings, two brothers and a sister.
The seasoned actress grew up in Carletonville, the Free State. She stayed with her parents and siblings in the City of Ekurhuleni.
After graduating from school, she started doing business. She and her friend from high school established a fashion label, Black Olive Designs.
Together, they would design and offer clothes at the B&B Rooftop market. The business got displayed at the 2004 South African Fashion Week.
Education
Mmabatho Montsho studied Audiovisual multimedia at the University of South Africa. She attended Greenside High School.
Her love for arts and languages influenced her study choice at the university. She obtained an MA master of arts degree in screen and script writing in 2019.
Career
In 2007, Mmabatho played Lerato in the African prime-time drama series Jacob’s Cross. Lerato is a materialistic woman who has married the lead character Jacob.
Montsho stars as Thembi Phakati in the e.tv soap opera Rhythm City. She is a multi-award-winner and nominee for several awards, such as Style Award. She was one of Cosmopolitan’s Awesome Women of 2007.
The celebrated actress became one of Ekurhuleni’s ambassadors in 2007. She began to host the SABC2 arts and culture magazine show Artcha in April 2009. She took over from Anel Alexander in season three.
Mmabatho and Katleho Sinavasan presented season two of the SABC1 reality series Play Your Part in 2012. She was a judge at the SABC3 reality competition series The Final Cut in 2017.
Montsho has directed television productions, including the e.tv soap opera Scandal!, and the SABC1 sitcom Thuli noThulani.
Personal Life
Mmabatho Montsho is married to Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, a Member of the National Assembly representing the Economic Freedom Fighters since 2014.
The duo has maintained a private life as a couple. They have been discreet about their relationship since 2017. They openly celebrated one other and their milestones.
Calling
The seasoned television personality also has an ancestral calling. Montsho told Daily Sun that she had gone to thwasa and completed her training in 2012.
At first, she did not want to reveal it and had not known how to deal with it. At a young age, she started having visions and knew her ancestors were calling her. She tried to resist in the beginning but was unable to.
The actress did not say if she was a diviner (sangoma) or a herbalist (inyanga).
Social Profile
Montsho shares images of herself, achievements, work, close friends, and family members on social media. She posts her celebration also, such as graduation and awards.
Filmography
Montsho was further thrust into the limelight after playing Lerato in the M-Net drama series Jacob’s Cross. She has made strides in the film industry. She has played starring roles in many movies and television shows.
- 90 Plein Street as Puleng Letsedi
- A Place Called Home as Guest Star
- Artcha as Host
- Blood & Water as Charge Officer
- Generations as Lumka Dhlomo
- Hard Copy as Noni
- I Love South Africa as a Contestant
- Jacob’s Cross as Lerato
- Lockdown as Phindi Mazibuko
- Play Your Part as Presenter
- Rhythm City as Thembi Phakathi
- SAFTAs as Presenter
- Tempy Pushas as Noxy
- The Final Cut as Judge
- The Most Amazing Show as Guest
- Zaziwa as Herself
Awards
Mmabatho won Golden Horn Award for Best Achievement in Script in a TV Drama. She also won another award for Best Short Film at the Worldwide Women’s Film Festival in Arizona in 2020.