Biography
Mbali Maphumulo (born November 24, 1980) is a renowned South African singer, dancer, and actress. She has appeared in many television series like Uzalo and 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls, among others.
The actress has had some bitter experiences and underwent mastectomy surgery. She was diagnosed twice with breast cancer in 2001 and 2006.
Mbali Maphumulo  | |
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| Full Name: | Thandiwe Mbali Maphumulo |
| Born: | November 24, 1980 (age 42 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Occupation: | Actress, Singer, Dancer |
| Spouse • Husband: | Dumisani Mbebe |
| Years Active: | 1997-date |
| Popular Series: | Uzalo |
Early Life
Thandiwe Mbali Maphumulo was born on November 24, 1980, in Umlazi, a township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She lost her parents at the age of thirteen. Her aunt raised her.
Career
Mbali Maphumulo entered the entertainment industry in 1997. She started with the Shell Road to Fame talent contest. She stayed in Pretoria for a while and worked with a stage company.
Later, the actress relocated to Gauteng, the smallest province in South Africa. She got a job and worked for two weeks. Her talents fished her out after she landed a role in the stage play Umoja – Spirit of Togetherness.
Maphumulo performed in the play The Lion King. She recorded solo songs for both The Lion King and Umoja. She was crowned Miss Kaizer Chiefs in 1997 and kicked off a career in modeling.
The actress played Fikile in the SABC2 soap opera Muvhango in 2008. Later in 2010, she landed the lead role of Amira Mokoena in the e.tv drama series 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls.
In 2013, Mbali played a starring role in the miniseries Abangani aired in Mzansi Magic. She was also cast in the telenovela Isibaya both telecast in Mzansi Magic.
In the SABC1 drama series Tempy Pushas, Maphumulo played Stella. She appeared in the Mzansi Magic drama Is’thunzi as Nomonde in 2016.
The veteran actress appeared in the e.tv anthology series eKasi: Our Stories in 2015. She returned for season 2 of Is’thunzi.
Mbali played the role of Cebile Buthelezi in the serials Hush Money. She is well-known for playing Wenzile Nhlapo in Uzalo. She has also featured in films like State Enemy No.1 and Safe Bet. Mbali Maphumulo appeared in the Moja Love series Erased in 2020.
Personal Life
Mbali Maphumulo is a wife and mother. Her husband, Dumisani Mbebe, is a South African actor best known for his role as Dumisani Shabani in Generations. She is a strong person and always takes the bull by the horn.
Breast Cancer
To fight cancer strength and courage are necessary. Mbali Maphumulo displayed both when she battled cancer twice. In 2001, the actress was diagnosed with breast cancer.
According to her, the disease made her feel pain when breathing in and out. Her breasts started to itch even after an appointment with the doctor. The itching on her breast did not stop instead, pimples and discoloration were formed.
After asking for a biopsy, the doctor discovered she had breast cancer. Mbali Maphumulo went into remission, but cancer returned in 2005.
Filmography
| Muvhango as Fikile |
| Is’thunzi as Nomonde |
| TBD State Enemy No.1 as Grace |
| eKasi: Our Stories as Happy |
| Uzalo as Wenzile Nhlapo |
| Safe Bet as Dash #1 |
| Hush Money as Cebile Buthelezi |
| Tempy Pushas as Stella |
| Abangani as Bongi |
| The Wild as Thandi |
| 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls as Amira Mokoena |
| Isibaya as Buhle |