Mthembu has also commanded attention with other roles. He portrayed Mabutho in the telenovela The River and Bonga in the drama series Adulting. He appeared in the Mzansi Magic drama Shaka iLembe as King Dingiswayo.
Thembinkosi Mthembu
Thembinkosi Mthembu played King Dingiswayo in Shaka iLembe.
Personal Details
Name:
Thembinkosi Brian Mthembu
Born:
17 July 1994 (age 32 years old)
Place of birth:
KwaNdengezi, Durban
Nationality:
South African
Education:
Drama and production
Alma mater:
Durban University of Technology
Occupation:
Actor
Years active:
2017-date
Notable work:
Adulting The River
Children:
1
Early Life
Thembinkosi Brian Mthembu was born on 17 July 1994 in KwaNdengezi, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. He grew up in a supportive household alongside his parents, his elder brother, and his late sister. He later moved to Johannesburg, Gauteng, to pursue acting.
Education
Mthembu holds a diploma in drama and production from the Durban University of Technology (DUT).
Career
After arriving in Johannesburg, Mthembu got a job as a dancer at Cell C and Checkers. His debut television role was as the Shift Manager on the MTV Base drama series MTV Shuga: Down South 2. He appeared first in Season 7 on 2 April, 2019.
Some months later, he landed his first starring television role as Junior in the drama series The Republic on Mzansi Magic.
In February 2020, he joined the 1Magic soap opera The River as Mabutho and became a starring cast member for Season 4 in 2021. He also appeared on the cover of SMag magazine.
Thembinkosi Mthembu scored four nominations at the 18th annual SA Film and Television Awards (Safta) for his roles in The River, Adulting, Shaka iLembe and Outlaws. He has also received two Best Actor in a TV Drama nominations for his roles in Adulting and Outlaws.
Mthembu has also earned more nominations, including Best Supporting Actor for the final season of The River, and Best Actor in a Telenovela for his role in Outlaws.
Thembinkosi was awarded Best Actor–TV at the 11th Annual Simon Mabhunu Sabela KZN Film and TV Awards in 2024. His other accolades include Hunk of the Year at The Feather Awards and the People’s Choice Award at The GQ Men of the Year Awards
He won the Best Actor in a Drama award for this role as King Dingiswayo in Shaka iLembe at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). He played King Dingiswayo in the Mzansi Magic drama series Shaka iLembe.
Thembinkosi has shared a set with known personalities including Seputla Sebogodi, Warren Masemola, Siyabonga Thwala, Masasa Mpangeni and Hlomla Dandala. He also portrayed Sifiso Kubheka in the Mzansi Magic telenovela Homecoming.
The SMag cover has also featured Bonga in the 1Magic drama series Adulting and Bandile Biyela in the telenovela Outlaws. He portrayed Sanele “Ferrari” Zulu in the telenovela Champions and Banzi Dhlomo in The Four of Us.
Personal Life
Thembinkosi Mthembu married his long-time partner in a traditional ceremony (Umembeso) in 2024. He has a daughter.
Imanuweli Mzingeli joined Eyaziwa in 2026. He holds a degree in Political Science from a prestigious university. Outside of his storytelling work, he enjoys reading and video games.
