Lunathi Mampofu

Lunathi Mampofu
Born (1987-03-07) 7 March 1987 (age 39)
Cape Town, South Africa
Education
Occupations
  • Actress
  • director
Years active2009– present
Notable work
Height1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Relatives

Lunathi Mampofu (born 7 March 1987) is a South African actress and film director. She is best known for playing lead and starring roles in Mzansi Magic telenovelas The Queen (2018–2019) as Benni, The River (2020–2023) as Emma and Inimba (2025–present) as Zoleka Bikitsha-Ngcukana

Career

2009–2018: Early career

Mampofu began her screen career in 2009 with a supporting role as Nontobeko in the drama film Umthandazo. She went on to appear in The Good Man (2012), playing the starring role of Katleho and later portrayed Monica in the 2014 film Mercy. Her early work in film helped establish her range in dramatic performance and introduced her to wider audiences.

Mampofu transitioned steadily into television, earning her first recurring role as a Spiritualist in the 2016 series Isikisi and a starring role as Zikhona Sebotsane in season 2 of Ingozi. In 2018 she appeared across several productions, including a recurring performance as Lerato in Ambitious, and the role of Claudia Dunn in seasons 2 and 3 of Unmarried. That same year, she joined The Queen as Benni in its third season.

2019–2024: Breakthrough role in The River

In 2019, Mampofu featured as herself on Celeb Festival With Zola and portrayed the role of Marry in the Netflix action series Shadow. Her career gained further momentum in 2020 with roles in Lockdown Heights as Alutha and played the supporting role of Zaza "the mystery woman" across the first two seasons of Kings of Jo’Burg.

Mampofu received widespread recognition for her portrayal of Emma, a major character in The River, where she appeared from seasons 3 to 6. She won two Royalty Soapie Awards for her starring role for Emma from The River for Outstanding Supporting Actress and Best Actress categories by Viewers Choice. The year, she also included an appearance as herself on #Karektas hosted by Desmond Dube.

In 2023, Mampofu expanded her presence in both mainstream and streaming productions. She played a Sangoma in In Your Dreams, took on the starring role of Athi in the telenovela 1802: Love Defies Time and appeared as Brenda Grootboom in the thriller series Fatal Seduction.

Mampofu received a nominations for Best Supporting Actress in the South African Film and Television Awards. In 2024, she led the casts of Disaster Holiday as Nandi and Code 13 as Bongi Nkosi alongside Zolisa Xaluva, further solidifying her reputation as a prominent performer in South African film and television, and also international stages.

2025–present: Lead roles in Levels and Inimba

In 2025, Mampofu began starring as Zoleka Ngcukana in the drama Inimba and joined the Mzansi Magic series Levels in the lead role of Bongi for its debut season with Bonko Khoza. She was nominated in the National Film and Television Awards for her starring role of Nandi in Disaster Holiday in the Best Actress category.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Umthandazo Nontobeko Supporting role
2012 The Good Man Katleho Starring role
2014 Mercy Monica Supporting role
2024 Disaster Holiday Nandi Lead role

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2016 Isikisi Spiritualist Recurring role
Ingozi Zikhona Sebotsane Starring role
2018 Ambitious Lerato Recurring role
2018–2019 The Queen Benni Supporting role
2019 Celeb Festival With Zola Herself Episode 4
Shadow Marry Recurring role
2020 Unmarried Claudia Dunn Starring role
Lockdown Heights Alutha Supporting role
#Karektas Herself Episode 25
2020–2023 Kings of Jo'Burg Zaza Supporting role
2020–2023 The River Emma Main role
2023 In Your Dreams Sangoma Recurring role
2023–2025 1802: Love Defies Time Athi Starring role
2023–2025 Fatal Seduction Brenda Grootboom Starring role
2024 Code 13 Bongi Nkosi Lead role
2025 Levels Bongi Lead role
2025–present Inimba Zoleka Bikitsha Mabandla Lead role

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Nominated works Result Ref.
2023 Royalty Soapie Awards Best Actress As Emma on The River Won
Outstanding Supporting Actress Won
2024 Feather Awards Best Styled Individual Herself Won
Hot Chick of the Year Won
South African Film and Television Awards Best Supporting actress As Athi on 1802: Love Defies Time Nominated
2025 National Film and Television Awards Best Actress As Nandi on Disaster Holiday Nominated
2026 Africa Choice Awards Female TV Star of the Year Herself Pending

References

  1. ↑ Tyekana, Phila (2024-07-13). "5 minutes with the talented Lunathi Mampofu". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  2. ↑ Tlhoaele, Kgalalelo. "Actress' decade of drama!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  3. ↑ Tyekana, Phila (2023-08-22). "5 minutes with actress Lunathi Mampofu - 'I've learnt to be patient with myself'". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  4. ↑ "Expect Great Things From Actress Lunathi Mampofu". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  5. ↑ Mathobela, Phuti (2017-08-31). "'Home's best' – Lunathi Mampofu on why she ditched the US". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  6. ↑ Clipkulture, Official (2021-02-25). "7 Things You Should Know About Lunathi Mampofu - Clipkulture". Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  7. ↑ "Lunathi Mampofu takes on challenging new role". The Herald. 2020-05-27. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  8. ↑ Ngenyane, By Andiswa. "ACTRESS Lunathi Mampofu joins Unmarried!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  9. ↑ Khulu, Ntombi. "Empowerment in action: Lunathi Mampofu's pioneering self-defence initiative". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  10. ↑ Makhele, Tshepiso (2018-08-20). "SA actress joins The Queen in exciting debut". The Citizen. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  11. ↑ Dayile, Qhama (2018-10-19). "Actress Lunathi Mampofu on her role in The Queen". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  12. ↑ "Lunathi Mampofu joins The Queen & you can bet she's packing heat". TimesLIVE. 2018-08-15. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  13. ↑ Sibiya, Sibongumenzi. "Top actress' return is personal!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  14. ↑ "Lunathi Mampofu takes on challenging new role". The Herald. 2020-05-27. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  15. ↑ "A Sensational First Look At The New Season of Kings of Jo'Burg". About Netflix. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  16. ↑ Mathobela, Phuti (2023-01-27). "The wait is over! Kings of Jo'burg S2 is here". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  17. ↑ Tjiya, Emmanuel (2020-09-18). "Lunathi Mampofu touches people's hearts". Sowetan. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  18. ↑ "Lunathi Mampofu has Mzansi heartbroken with 'The River' sexual assault scenes". TimesLIVE. 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  19. ↑ Makhoba, Ntombizodwa (2020-06-21). "Lunathi Mampofu is shaking things up on The River". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  20. ↑ Zuma, Mbalenhle (2023-03-11). "Molokomme, Mampofu scoop Royalty Soapie viewers choice award". Sunday World. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  21. ↑ "Desmond Dube to host new comedy game show". News24. 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  22. ↑ Nontsele, Chuma (2025-12-03). "Lunathi Mampofu surprises a young girl battling a life-threatening disease in hospital". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  23. ↑ Magagula, Nompumelelo (2023-05-01). "New series defies time and love". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  24. ↑ Lesemane, Lineo (2023-06-06). "Meet the stars of the new SA's steamy Netflix series 'Fatal Seduction'". The Citizen. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  25. ↑ Seleme, Rae (2024-09-22). "2024 SAFTAs Here are your soapie and telenovela nominees". The South African. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  26. ↑ Seleme, Rae (2024-11-17). "Kenneth Nkosi and Lunathi Mampofu to lead the cast of 'Disaster Holiday'". The South African. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  27. ↑ Soans, Neil (2024-12-16). "Disaster Holiday Movie Review: Delivers chaos but falls short on comedy". The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  28. ↑ "Zolisa Xaluva and Lunathi Mampofu helm the new crime drama, 'Code 13'". IOL. 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  29. ↑ Maako, Keitumetse (2024-05-29). "Behind the badge in Code 13 Lunathi Mampofu faces her toughest role in new cop drama". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  30. ↑ Mamaila, Mzwandile (2024-03-20). "Lunathi Mampofu stars in new drama series, plus 5 highlights from her role in The River". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  31. ↑ Maako, Keitumetse (2025-05-19). "'So exciting': Lunathi Mampofu brings Zoleka Ngcukana's relatable story to life in Inimba". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  32. ↑ Khulu, Ntombi (2025-05-12). "How Lunathi Mampofu's starring role in Inimba is a journey of healing". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  33. ↑ Mdaka, Zintle (2025-07-04). "Lunathi Mampofu and Bonko Khoza to star on 'Levels'". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  34. ↑ Komana, Itumeleng (2025-10-16). "Lunathi Mampofu, Londie London, Shaka iLembe and more snag 2025 NFTA nominations". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  35. ↑ Madibogo, Julia (2023-03-12). "The River wins big at Royalty Soapie Awards". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  36. ↑ Seemela, Masego (2024-11-08). "Actor Lunathi Mampofu wins big at the Feather Awards". Sowetan. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  37. ↑ Ferreira, Thinus (2024-09-05). "2024's SAFTA nominations announced See all the dominators and new categories at this year's event". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  38. ↑ Ngenyane, Andiswa (2025-10-14). "Mzansi film legends to be honoured". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  39. ↑ Moroeng, Moroba (2025-10-09). "Nomzamo Mbatha, Gail Mabalane, Thuso Mbedu and More Bag 2026 Africa Choice Awards Nominations". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 2025-12-11.