Bongile Mantsai

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Bongile Mantsai
Born (1982-02-03) 3 February 1982 (age 43) [1]
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Occupation(s)Actor, theatre practitioner, musical director
Years active2000s–present
Notable work Inxeba: The Wound, Knuckle City , Scandal! , Mies Julie
Awards SAFTA Best Actor (2020), Durban International Film Festival Best Actor (2019)

Bongile Mantsai [2] is a South African actor and theatre practitioner [3] known for his work in film, television, and stage. He gained widespread acclaim for his performances in Inxeba: The Wound (2017), Knuckle City (2019), and the television soap opera Scandal! . He has won multiple awards for his performances [4] and is recognized for his contributions to South African theatre and storytelling.

Contents

Early life and education

Mantsai was born in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, and raised in the township of Kayamandi, where he completed his high school education at Kayamandi High School in 1998. He initially faced challenges in pursuing higher education due to a language barrier, as Stellenbosch University predominantly offered courses in Afrikaans. Undeterred, he approached theatre directors to express his passion for acting, leading to an opportunity to join a physical theatre programme that included language and movement classes. This experience enabled him to participate in university productions and laid the foundation for his acting career. [5]

Career

Mantsai [6] began his artistic career in theatre, where he became a prominent performer and musical director. He worked with the Baxter Theatre Centre and was appointed artistic director of the Zabalaza Theatre Festival. Notable stage roles include Mies Julie, Amaza, Marat/Sade, Karoo Moose, and Woyzeck.

He transitioned into film and television, earning critical acclaim for his role as Vija in Inxeba: The Wound (2017), a film that received international recognition. His leading role in Knuckle City (2019) further cemented his reputation, earning him Best Actor at the 2019 Durban International Film Festival and the 2020 SAFTA awards. [7]

He is also well known for his role as Mthunzi Mayiza in the television drama Scandal!, where his performance as a manipulative and complex antagonist drew critical praise. [8] [9]

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre

Awards

References

  1. Ngenyane, Andiswa. "Mzansi loves Scandal! actor". Daily Sun.
  2. Mpapu, Hopewell. "Award-winning actor Bongile Mantsai on Mthunzi's return to Scandal!". Drum.
  3. "'I'm a soft guy and God-fearing person, different from Mthunzi': actor Bongile Mantsai". Sunday Times. South Africa.
  4. Birjalal, Alyssia. "Bongile Mantsai discusses the challenges of family loyalty in 'Family & Rugby'". IOL.
  5. Mdaka, Zintle (7 March 2025). "Bongile Mantsai returns on Scandal! with new characters unlocked". bona.co.za.
  6. Mpapu, Hopewell. "Actor Bongile Mantsai is gearing to star in a Scandal! Spin-off". Drum.
  7. Sithathu, Nomathamsanqa. "'Gqeberha: The Empire' cancelled after two seasons". IOL.
  8. Sithathu, Nomathamsanqa (8 November 2012). "Mzansi reacts to Mthunzi's return to 'Scandal!'". IOL.
  9. Mdaka, Zintle (3 February 2025). "Gqeberha: The Empire cast to star in a new TV drama". bona.co.za.