Terry Pheto

EARLY LIFE

Moitheri “Terry” Pheto was born on 11 May 1981 in Mahikeng, South Africa. She was raised in a shack in Soweto until the age of about 20–21. She became involved in local theatre groups in Soweto, where she was discovered by casting agent Moonyeenn Lee during the auditions for the film Tsotsi (alongside Presley Chweneyagae).

CAREER

Pheto rose to international prominence with her role as Miriam in Gavin Hood’s Tsotsi (2005), which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film — South Africa’s first Oscar in that category. Selected film credits Tsotsi (2005) – Miriam Catch a Fire (2006) Goodbye Bafana (2007) – Zindzi Mandela Mafrika (2008) How to Steal 2 Million (2012) – Olive (won SAFTA Golden Horn for Best Supporting Actress) Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) – Evelyn Mase Cuckold (2015) A United Kingdom (2016) – Naledi Khama The Number (2017) Faces (2018) – Aisha Television Justice for All – Lerato Zone 14 – Pinky Khumba Jacob’s Cross – Mbali Hopeville (2009) – Fikile (later adapted into an award-winning film) The Bold and the Beautiful (2011) – Dr. Malaika Maponya (recurring role as a heart surgeon; her Hollywood breakthrough) Madiba (2017) – Winnie Mandela Isibaya, Rockville, and other local series She has also worked in theatre (The Toilet, The Devil’s Protest) and appeared as a guest judge/mentor on reality shows such as Class Act and The Search: E! Host South Africa. In 2008 she became a face of L’Oréal and has been featured in major local and international magazines including Vanity Fair, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Destiny, and Drum.

PERSONAL LIFE

Pheto was previously linked to DJ Sbu. In 2019 she married IT entrepreneur and businessman Masande Peter in a private ceremony. The couple welcomed their first child around 2020–2021. She generally maintains a private personal life. In later years she was implicated in the South African National Lotteries Commission (NLC) corruption investigation. Investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) alleged that lottery funds intended for cultural/community projects were used to acquire land and build a luxury house in Bryanston, Johannesburg, which was later linked to her. The property was subject to preservation and forfeiture processes; her legal team indicated cooperation with the investigation.

Terry Pheto is regarded as one of the key faces of the post-Tsotsi generation of South African actors who successfully crossed into international work. She has received awards including a SAFTA Golden Horn for Best Supporting Actress (How to Steal 2 Million) and recognition at the Africa Movie Academy Awards. Beyond acting she has worked as a producer and brand ambassador. Despite later controversies related to the National Lottery investigation, her contribution to South African cinema, particularly through Tsotsi and subsequent international roles, remains significant.