Tsonga or, natively, Xitsonga, as an endonym, is a Bantu language spoken by the Tsonga people of South Africa. It is mutually intelligible with Tswa and Ronga and the name "Tsonga" is often used as a cover term for all three, also sometimes referred to as Tswa-Ronga. The Xitsonga language has been standardised for both academic and home use. Tsonga is an official language of South Africa, and under the name "Shangani" it is recognised as an official language in the Constitution of Zimbabwe. All Tswa-Ronga languages are recognised in Mozambique. It is not official in Eswatini.
The Tsonga people are a Bantu ethnic group primarily native to Southern Mozambique and South Africa. They speak Xitsonga, a Southern Bantu language. A very small number of Tsonga people are also found in Zimbabwe and Northern Eswatini. The Tsonga people of South Africa share some history with the Tsonga people of Southern Mozambique, and have similar cultural practices, but differ in the dialects spoken.
Giyani is a town situated in the north-eastern part of Limpopo Province, South Africa. It is the administrative capital of the Mopani District Municipality and a former capital of the defunct Gazankulu Bantustan. The town of Giyani has seven sections: Section A, Section D1, Section D2, Section E, Section F, Kremetart, and Giyani CBD. Risinga View and Church View are new residential areas in Giyani, but they fall under the local traditional leaders. The Giyani CBD is nicknamed Benstore, and this name is commonly used by residents of the region. Giyani is surrounded by a number of villages with rich Tsonga cultural activities, administered by the Greater Giyani Local Municipality.
Munghana Lonene FM is an SABC radio station broadcasting in Tsonga language in South Africa. In Tsonga, "Munghana Lonene" means "a true friend." Munghana Lonene FM is geared to listeners who understand Xitsonga. Munghana Lonene FM is branded as an "infotainment" radio station with a 50% split of music and talk. It offers an environment interactive with its listeners, providing a mixture of news, music, current affairs, talk shows, education, sport, weather and traffic. The music repertoire consists of Jazz, R&B, Kwaito, House, Gospel music and African music.
Malamulele can refer to the town of Malamulele or the area of Malamulele. Both the town and area are in the Limpopo province of South Africa and predominantly occupied by Tsonga people. Malamulele town has one provincial road and one regional road; the R81 to Giyani and the R524 to Thohoyandou respectively. Malamulele is flanked by two rivers, Levubu River (Rivhubye) to the west and Letaba River to the east, meanwhile the Shingwedzi River runs from Malamulele West to Malamulele East, joining the Olifants in Mozambique on its way to the Indian Ocean. Malamulele is the seat of the Collins Chabane Local Municipality.
Frank Opperman is a South African actor and musician. After attending numerous schools across South Africa in Worcester, Benoni, Hermanus and Middelburg. Opperman finally matriculated from Silverton High School in Pretoria in 1978.
Katlego Danke, is a South African actress, radio DJ and TV presenter. She is of Tswana ethnicity. Danke is known for her extensive role playing on South African soap operas, Backstage, Generations,Gomora and Isidingo.
Kgomotso Christopher is a South African actress best known for her time in Isidingo as Katlego Sibeko before joining Scandal as the character of Yvonne "YV" Langa. She is also the voice behind MTN's Interactive Voice Response system and serves as a Non-Executive Chairperson on the Naledi Theatre Awards Board of Directors.
Giyani: Land of Blood is a South African telenovela drama series created by Tshedza Pictures. It is the very first Xitsonga drama series made since the advent of Television in South Africa. It began airing on 1 April 2019 on SABC 2. Season 2 began airing on the 1st of November 2021, on SABC 2 from 21:30 to 22:00 pm.
Bennet Skheto Baloyi known by his stage name President Benny Mayengani is a South African Xitsonga singer. He rose to fame following the release of his debut studio album Tiba Ben in 2011.
Kate Normington is a South African actress, singer, and songwriter. Normington first rose to national prominence playing Sister Mary Amnesia in the Alhambra Theatre's production of Nunsense in 1987, and has appeared on the West End and South African stage, and in local and international film and television productions.
Bokang Phelane is a Lesotho born actress, producer and director.
Thembinkosi Brian Mthembu, is a South African actor. He is best known for his roles in the popular serials The River, The Gamechangers, Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu and a short film called Ngeculo. In 2023 he played a major role on South African series on Showmax which includes Shaka Ilembe, Adulting and Outlaws
Elma Postma is a South African actress and presenter. She is best known for her acting roles on 7de Laan, Binnelanders and Isidingo. As a presenter, she's most recognised for presenting the first few seasons of the South African version of Farmer Wants a Wife.
Ben Kruger was a South African actor and author, best known for his roles in the popular serials Snake Island, Binnelanders and Zero Tolerance.
Trix Vivier is a South African film, television and theater actress, who is known for portraying the role of Flea van Jaarsveld in the 2019 television series Trackers, for which she gained prominence and national recognition, as well as for her role as Kate Myburgh in kykNet and Showmax's co-production of Waterfront.
Jeffery Sekele, is a South African actor and voice over artist. He is best known for the roles in the television serial and soapies such as Behind the Badge, Zero Tolerance, Isibaya, Isidingo, The Lab, 90 Plein Street and Task Force'and House of Zwide'.
Sello Sebotsane, is a South African actor and producer. He is best known for the roles in the television serials such as Stokvel, Those Who Can't, Rockville and 90 Plein Street.
Shamilla Miller is a South African actress, television presenter and model. She is best known for her roles in Amaza, Forced Love, Tali's Baby Diary, Troy: Fall of a City, and The Girl from St. Agnes.
Sonia Mbele is a South African actress, model, tv producer and entrepreneur. She produced the first ever Real Housewives franchise in Africa, and is the executive producer for Real Housewives of Johannesburg.
