Motlatsi Mafatshe Biography: Age, Early Life, Career & Net Worth

Motlatsi Mafatshe Biography

Motlatsi Mafatshe is a distinguished figure in the South African entertainment industry, known for his diverse contributions as an actor, musician, director, and producer. His notable roles in popular television series such as “Isidingo” and “House of Zwide” have earned him widespread acclaim.

Age and Birthdate

Motlatsi Mafatshe was born on November 3, 1983. As of 2023, he is 40 years old.

Early Life and Background

Hailing from Soweto, South Africa, Mafatshe comes from a family with a political background. Despite his initial aspirations to become a pilot, he was drawn towards the arts. To hone his artistic skills, he enrolled at AFDA, specializing in musical direction.

Career Journey

Initial Interest and Education

Mafatshe’s interest in acting was sparked at a young age by a television set gifted by his grandmother. This ignited his passion for the screen, leading him to study film and acting. He believes his journey in the industry is not a mere coincidence but a result of his dedicated pursuit of knowledge and skill.

In 2001, he enrolled in a film and arts program, graduating in 2006. With his formal education complete, he embarked on his professional career.

Acting Debut and Recognition

Mafatshe’s acting debut came unexpectedly while assisting a friend in directing a film. Dissatisfied with one of the actor’s performances, he stepped in and played the role himself. Despite lacking formal acting training at the time, his natural talent was evident and garnered praise.

Driven by determination, Mafatshe diligently pursued auditions, strategically positioning himself within the industry. A pivotal moment came when he traveled from Limpopo to audition for a role on SABC3’s “Isidingo”. Although they were seeking extras at the time, he seized the opportunity to audition for “When We Were Black”. His attitude and comedic talent impressed the director, leading to his portrayal of Casper on the show.

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Years later, Mafatshe received a call from his manager informing him that “Isidingo” was searching for new characters. Approaching the audition with charisma and authenticity, his portrayal of Sechaba Moloi captivated audiences for nine years. He even joined the show’s directing team in 2018. His outstanding performance earned him the prestigious Outstanding Lead Actor award at the Third Royalty Soapie Awards in 2019.

Expanding Horizons

Mafatshe’s talent extends beyond “Isidingo”. He played the role of Wandile Dhlomo in the soccer drama “Shooting Stars” and co-produced the romantic comedy “Love Lives Here” in 2018. He has also made appearances in popular television series such as “Backstage”, “Home Affairs”, “Mtunzini.com”, “Scandal!”, “Sokhulu & Partners”, and “Elalini”. Notably, he starred in Netflix’s “How To Ruin Christmas” and BET’s “Black Tax”, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Mafatshe is a musician and a farmer. His multifaceted career includes acting, directing, creative producing, and music. He continues to leave his mark on the South African entertainment landscape. Currently, he portrays the role of Molefe on “House of Zwide”, further solidifying his position as a talented and dedicated performer.

Filmography

Motlatsi Mafatshe’s acting career is both diverse and impressive. Here’s a detailed look at his roles:

Television Roles

• Brothers in Arms (1978): Mafatshe portrayed the character Dalgado in this series.
• Wild at Heart: He played the role of David Kagona.
• State of Violence: He was cast as Chappies.
• Karektas: He appeared as a celebrity guest.
• Black Tax: He played the character Nkanyiso.
• Bone of My Bones: He portrayed Karabo Mohlala.
• Elalini: He played Moses.
• Emoyeni: He was cast as Zero.
• Hola Mpinji!: He played Last Born.
• Home Affairs: He portrayed Kwazi.
• House of Zwide: He played Molefe.
• How to Ruin Christmas (The Wedding): He portrayed Themba Twala.
• How to Ruin Christmas (The Funeral): He reprised his role as Themba Twala.
• I Love South Africa: He appeared as a contestant.
• Isidingo: He played Sechaba Moloi.
• It’s Complicated: He portrayed Thabang.
• Mtunzini.com: He played Tuks.
• Red Cake – Not the Cooking Show: He appeared as a celebrity guest.
• Shooting Stars: He portrayed Wandile Dhlomo.
• Single Guyz: He played Taps.
• Sokhulu & Partners: He was cast as Litha Zwane.
• The Comedy Central Roast: He made an appearance.
• The River: He played Fose.
• Thuli noThulani: He portrayed Masego.
• uGugu no Andile: He played Mxolisi.
• When We Were Black: He portrayed Casper.
• Zaziwa: He appeared as himself.

Film Roles

• Otelo Burning: He played Blade.
• Gog’ Helen: He was cast as Garbage boy.
• Zama Zama: He portrayed Benjamin.

Personal Life

Motlatsi Mafatshe’s personal life is as rich as his acting career. In November 2014, he married Millicent Nkangane, a fashion designer he met in church. The couple has since been blessed with two children, making them a joyful family of four.

Controversy

Despite his successful career, Mafatshe’s journey has not been without controversy. A regrettable incident occurred when he was subjected to a violent attack by hip hop artist Thulani Ngcobo, also known as ‘Pitch Black Afro’, during the South African premiere party for the television movie Tsotsi. The altercation, which was instigated by a harmless inquiry about the artist’s next album release, resulted in physical assault and property damage. Despite the severity of the incident, no charges were filed.

Net Worth

Besides the successful acting career, Motlatsi is a successful musician under the name Tlatsi and has been releasing songs for several years now. The entertainer specialized in music while studying for his degree at the AFDA. It’s funny to many of his hardcore followers that his primary career is acting instead of music.

When the Covid pandemic hit the globe two years ago, showbiz died a little, and many artists had to find another income stream to sustain their everyday life. Motlatsi started a farming business on the side that supported his family throughout the lockdown. The actor is rumoured to be worth an estimated R4 million, with most of his money coming from his intensive acting career.

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