Thembinkosi Mthembu As we start to look to Best of the Year lists, Thembinkosi Mthembu is a clear Actor of the Year contender.
Image: Supplied/Showmax
At the end of 2023 actor Thembinkosi Mthembu was marked as one of the faces that dominated South African screens and the foundation he built, successfully paid off in 2024.
In July, the popular actor won his first acting award at the 11th Annual Simon Mabhunu Sabela KZN Film and TV Awards. Mthembu was awarded Best Actor–TV at the awards ceremony in Durban. He won the top award for his role in “Shaka iLembe".
The Simon Mabhunu Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards recognise outstanding achievement and excellence within the South African Film and Television industry, focusing on KwaZulu-Natal.
Mthembu’s winning streak continued at the 18th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas), where he was awarded Best Actor in a TV Drama for his work in "Shaka iLembe".
Actor Thembinkosi Mthembu Actor Thembinkosi Mthembu won Best Actor in a TV Drama for his role in ‘Shaka iLembe’ at the SAFTAs. Picture: Supplied
Image: Picture: Supplied
He was nominated in a total of four categories; Best Actor in a Telenovela as Bandile Biyela in the Showmax Original “Outlaws”, Best Supporting Actor as Mabutho in “The River” and Best Actor in a Telenovela also for “The River”.
Speaking on his first Saftas win, Mthembu said: “I’m truly happy. When you love your work, you keep pushing every year.
“Even when I wasn’t getting nominated, I kept telling myself that I needed to work hard, not just for the awards, but to keep improving in my job.
“Being recognised by the NFVF for the Saftas is a big deal for me. I’m grateful that they see me and acknowledge the work I put in: the time, love and passion I poured into this character of Dingiswayo. I feel blessed. I’m grateful.”
Mthembu appeared in “Shaka iLembe” as King Dingiswayo the son of King Jobe of the Mthethwa, while his lead role as Bonga in “Adulting” made him the talk of the industry. His role as Bandile in South Africa’s first modern-day Western series “Outlaws”, once again continued the conversation around the humble top actor.
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