Masasa Mbangeni Biography: Age, Husband, Children, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Scandal, Movies & TV Shows

Masasa Mbangeni is a dynamic South African actress, casting director, and producer whose magnetic performances have solidified her as a standout in Mzansi’s entertainment industry.

Best known for her unforgettable role as the cunning Thembeka Shezi on Scandal!, she captivates audiences with her ability to portray complex characters with nuance and intensity.

A Mandela Rhodes Scholar and advocate for social change, Masasa’s journey from Gqeberha’s townships to international screens reflects her intellect, passion, and dedication to the transformative power of storytelling.

Profile

• Full Name: Masasa Lindiwe Mbangeni
• Stage Name: Masasa Mbangeni
• Born: March 6, 1987
• Age: 38 years old
• Birthplace: Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha), Eastern Cape, South Africa
• Nationality: South African
• Occupation: South African Actress, Casting Director, and Producer
• Height: 5’3
• Parents: Mr and Mrs Mbangeni
• Siblings: Four siblings (fourth of five children)
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $500,000–$2 million

Early Life and Education

Masasa Lindiwe Mbangeni was born on March 6, 1987, in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha), Eastern Cape, South Africa, growing up in the vibrant township of KwaMagxaki. As the fourth of five children, she was a shy, introspective child who found joy in crafting imaginative stories and directing her friends in playful skits, foreshadowing her future in performance.

Her family’s lively household fostered a love for creativity, though details about her parents and siblings’ names remain private. Masasa’s early exposure to township life instilled resilience and a deep connection to her Xhosa heritage.

She completed her schooling in Gqeberha before relocating to Johannesburg to pursue higher education. In 2009, Masasa was awarded the prestigious Mandela Rhodes Scholarship, which supported her Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), specializing in Performance and Directing.

At Wits, she drew inspiration from South African acting legends like Nthathi Moshesh, Nomhle Nkonyeni, and Sello Maake Ka Ncube, whose mentorship later enriched her career.

Career

Masasa Mbangeni’s career took root in theatre, where she delivered standout performances in James Ngcobo-directed plays at Johannesburg’s Market Theatre, including Nogogo, Sundjata, and Amen Corner. She also starred in Oedipus @ Koonu, directed by Greg Hoffman, which toured the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Her stage work showcased her emotional depth and set the foundation for her screen success.

In 2008, Masasa made her television debut with guest roles as Eunice in BBC’s Silent Witness (Season 12, Episode 7–8) and a personal assistant in M-Net’s Egoli: Place of Gold (Season 18). Her breakthrough arrived in 2013 when she joined Scandal! as Thembeka Shezi-Nyathi, a scheming villain whose four-year arc made her a household name.

Her portrayal earned her a 2015 SAFTA and Royalty Soapie Award for Best Actress, plus two additional SAFTA nominations. Masasa exited Scandal! in 2016 to pursue new projects but returned briefly in 2019–2020, leaving when her character was killed off, prompting fan petitions for her revival.

Post-Scandal!, Masasa played Celia, a ruthless businesswoman, Harvest (2016) and Akhona in The River Season 2 (2019). Her television credits include Bridget in The Republic Season 1, Nomahlubi in Housekeepers Season 1, Katlego in It’s Complicated Season 2, and Khanya Langa in Hard Copy Season 4.

She starred in SABC2’s Thola Season 2 and appeared in Netflix’s Unseen Season 2 (2025, as Maxine’s mother). Her film roles include Machine Gun Preacher (2011), The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019), I Am All Girls (2021), Devil’s Peak (2023), and Heart of the Hunter (2024).

As a casting director and producer, Masasa contributed to the short film Amagama ka Nokutela (2022). She serves as Chief Operating Officer at Clive Morris Productions and Chief Creative Officer at Yililiza Pty Ltd, mentoring aspiring actors through In & Out Drama Studio.

Her advocacy work includes the 2015 Marie Claire Naked Campaign against sexual violence and support for performers’ legislative protections. Masasa’s vision includes directing her projects, driven by her belief in art’s ability to heal and unite.

Awards and Nominations

• 2014: South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA), Best Actress in a TV Soap – Scandal! (Nominated)
• 2015: South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA), Best Actress in a TV Soap – Scandal! (Won)
• 2015: Royalty Soapie Awards, Best Actress – Scandal! (Won)
• 2016: South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA), Best Actress in a TV Soap – Scandal! (Nominated)
• 2016: DStv Mzansi Magic Viewers’ Choice Award, Best Actress – Scandal! (Nominated)

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @masasambangeni
• Facebook Handle: Masasa Mbangeni
• Twitter Handle: @MasasaMbangeni

Personal Life

Masasa Mbangeni, where she enjoys a quiet life away from the spotlight. She is single, with no confirmed spouse or children. Rumors linked her to screenwriter Gwydion Beynon in 2020, based on her Twitter references to “my man,” but Masasa has not verified this relationship, and recent sources suggest she’s unattached.

Her private nature keeps romantic details minimal, focusing instead on her career and advocacy.

Masasa is passionate about reading, yoga, and exploring South Africa’s wine culture, aspiring to become a connoisseur. She cherishes memories of her KwaMagxaki childhood, sharing nostalgic Instagram posts about family moments, like photos taken by “Bhut’ Japan” at her late Aunt Vuyiswa’s house.

Her advocacy for mental health and legislative protections for performers reflects her commitment to social change. Masasa remains close to her four siblings, crediting her family for grounding her. She describes acting as a “sacred space” that demands vulnerability, a perspective that resonates with her fans.

Filmography

Television:

• Silent Witness (2008, BBC, Season 12, Episodes 7–8) – Eunice
• Egoli: Place of Gold (2008, M-Net, Season 18) – Personal Assistant
• Scandal! (2013–2016, 2019–2020,) – Thembeka Shezi-Nyathi
• Hard Copy (Season 4) – Khanya Langa
• Thola (SABC2, Season 2) – Supporting Role
• Harvest (2016, e.tv, Season 1) – Celia
• It’s Complicated (Season 2) – Katlego
• Housekeepers (Season 1) – Nomahlubi
• The Republic (Season 1) – Bridget
• The River (2019, Season 2) – Akhona
• Unseen (2025, Netflix, Season 2) – Maxine’s Mother

Films

• Machine Gun Preacher (2011) – Supporting Role
• The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019) – Supporting Role
• I Am All Girls (2021) – Supporting Role
• Devil’s Peak (2023) – Supporting Role
• Heart of the Hunter (2024) – Supporting Role

Theatre:

• Nogogo (Market Theatre) – Performer
• Sundjata (Market Theatre) – Performer
• Amen Corner (Market Theatre) – Performer
• Oedipus @ Koonu (National Arts Festival, Grahamstown) – Performer

Casting Director & Producer:

• Amagama ka Nokutela (2022, Short Film) – Casting Director, Producer

Net Worth

Masasa Mbangeni’s net worth is estimated at $500,000–$2 million. Her income derives from a 17-year acting career, with significant earnings from Scandal! (reportedly R30,000–R50,000 per month), roles in Netflix projects, and her work as a casting director and producer. Additional revenue comes from endorsements and her leadership roles at Clive Morris Productions and Yililiza Pty Ltd.