Harriet Manamela
- Born
- 1971-10-13 (age 54)
- Birthplace
- Diepkloof, South Africa
- Occupation
- Acting And Directing Facilitator, Scriptwriter, Casting Services, Motivational Speaker, Charity Volunteer, Voice-over Artist
- Spouse
- Previously married, divorced
- Alma Mater
- St. Anthony's Centre, Market Theatre Laboratory
- AKA
- Harriet Lenabe
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EARLY LIFE
Harriet Manamela was born Harriet Lenabe on October 13, 1971, in Diepkloof, a township in Gauteng, South Africa. She spent her early childhood in this segregated community amid the apartheid regime’s policies. She completed her matriculation at St. Anthony's Centre in Boksburg. Following high school, she joined the Squints Artists Community Theatre Group in Alexandra Township, gaining early hands-on training. She further honed her abilities through training at the Market Theatre Laboratory, where she participated in workshops and performances, including her debut in The Virus and Let's Talk About Aids at the Laboratory's Annual Festival.
CAREER
Harriet Manamela began her acting career in the mid-1990s. After joining the Squints Artists Community Theatre Group and then the Market Theatre Laboratory, she performed in productions such as 'Broken Dreams', 'The Virus', and 'Let's Talk About Aids'. Her early theater work included acclaimed local productions like 'Gomorrah!', 'Koze Kuse Bash', and 'Ways of Dying', with the latter two touring internationally. By the late 1990s, Manamela began minor screen roles, including a cameo in 'Hijack Stories' (2000) and a supporting part in 'Dr. Lucille: The Lucille Teasdale Story' (2001). Her film career began in the early 2000s with roles in 'Country of My Skull' (2004) and 'Hotel Rwanda' (2004). She played a teacher in 'Yesterday' (2004) and a lead in 'My Other Mother' (2005). Her breakthrough film role was as Mrs. Tafa in 'Life, Above All' (2010), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. She also had a minor role in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' (2015) and appeared in 'Vaya' (2016), 'The Tokoloshe' (2018), and 'Mkhize to Masemola' (2023). Manamela's television career started in 1998, with appearances in 'Soul City', 'Isidingo', 'Yizo Yizo II', and 'Justice for All'. Her signature television role is Meikie Maputla in the SABC1 youth soapie 'Skeem Saam', which she has portrayed since its premiere on October 13, 2011, coinciding with her 40th birthday. She has also appeared in 'Intersexions', 'Sokhulu & Partners', 'The Lab', 'The Wild', 'Tjovitjo', 'Zone 14', 'Ngempela', 'Rhythm City', and 'Colour TV'. In 2024, she celebrated 30 years in the entertainment industry.
PERSONAL LIFE
Harriet Manamela was previously married for six years before divorcing over two decades ago. She and her ex-husband have three children. As of 2021, she was in a committed relationship and expressed hope for remarriage. She emphasizes open communication in her family. Manamela maintains a low public profile regarding her private life. She finds fulfillment in acting's ability to provide insights into human behavior and enjoys theatre. Since January 2013, she has served as an Acting and Directing Facilitator at the FUBA School of Dramatic Arts in Johannesburg. She also provides casting services, writes scripts, trains documentary filmmakers, and collaborates on screenwriting initiatives. As of 2025, she also works as a motivational speaker, charity volunteer, and voice-over artist.
Filmography
No filmography available for this person yet.
Box Office
Weekly Top Grossing3 Cold Dishes
₦5,331,351.00
Gingerrr
₦12,727,775.00
Gingerrr
₦21,139,500.00
The Herd
₦16,977,673.00
3 Cold Dishes
₦15,261,240.00
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Popularity Score
Top 100% of African actors
