Zethu Dlomo-Mphahlele

EARLY LIFE

Zethu Dlomo was born on 31 March 1989 in Lenasia, Gauteng, South Africa, and was later raised in Mmesi Park, Dobsonville, Soweto. She developed an early interest in the performing arts and attended the National School of the Arts. In 2010 she graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand with a Bachelor’s Degree (Honours equivalent) in Dramatic Art. She is fluent in Zulu and English and resides in Johannesburg.

CAREER

Dlomo began appearing on screen around 2008–2009. Early credits include Baone Magasane in the HBO series The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (2008/2009) and a role in the drama series Justice for All. She also presented an educational programme on SABC2. Her breakthrough local lead came as Detective Alice Kunene in the SABC1 sci-fi series Room 9 (2012–2013). She made her feature-film debut as Dinky Magubane in Fanie Fourie’s Lobola (2013/2014), earning a SAFTA nomination (and SAIFTA recognition) for Best Actress in a Feature Film. International recognition followed with the role of Madi (Mr. Scott’s daughter / princess of the Maroon people) in seasons 3 and 4 of the Starz series Black Sails (2015–2017). Other international work includes a cameo as Patience in Mary and Martha (2013, directed by Phillip Noyce) and the role of the pregnant slave Sanu in The Book of Negroes (CBC/BET, 2014/2015). Selected later credits Five Fingers for Marseilles (2017) – Lerato (South Africa’s first Western; premiered at Toronto International Film Festival) Mandela’s Gun (2018) – Winnie Mandela Isibaya (2017) – Nonhlanzi / Lethu Hlatshwayo The Herd (2018) – Lwandle Amazing Grace (2020) – Sarah Erased (2020) – Lindo Cele Hotel on the Koppies (short film, 2020) Additional appearances in Ayeye, Gomora, The River, Lingashoni, Isibopho, Dead Places, and others Theatre She has performed in productions including Have You Seen Zandile? (for which she won the Brett Goldin Best Newcomer Award at the 2014/2015 Naledi Theatre Awards), The Hill, You Fool, How Can the Sky Fall?, Yerma, Anowa, Jero, and Play (the latter two as part of William Kentridge’s Centre of the Less Good Idea).

In September 2018 she married her longtime partner, fellow South African actor Lebogang Mphahlele, in a ceremony that included both a white wedding and traditional elements. The couple has kept much of their family life private.

Zethu Dlomo-Mphahlele is regarded as a versatile performer who has successfully moved between South African soaps and prestige dramas, international series, film, and theatre. Her work on Black Sails and Five Fingers for Marseilles in particular brought her wider global visibility while she continues to take on significant local roles. She is represented by Owen S Management (OSM Talent) and remains active across stage and screen.