Zoe Mthiyane (born November 9, 1980) is a South African actress and singer. She rose to national fame for portraying Zitha Langa in the popular SABC1 soap opera Generations: The Legacy.
Mthiyane has toured internationally with The Lion King and contributed to major film soundtracks like The Legend of Tarzan. She was a contestant on the SABC singing show Coca-Cola Pop Stars.
| Zoe Mthiyane | |
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| Quick Facts | |
| Name: | Zoe Mthiyane |
| Born: | 9 November 1980 (age 45 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Mabhuyeni, Empangeni |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Parents: | Elias Mthiyane (father) Clara Nthalane (mother) |
| Education: | Little Flower Primary |
| Occupation: | Actress, singer |
| Children: | Awande and Lulonke |
| Residence: | Fourways, Johannesburg |
Early Life
Zoe Mthiyane was born on November 9, 1980, in Mabhuyeni, Empangeni. She grew up in a large polygamous household as one of more than 20 children. Her father, the late Elias Mthiyane, was a businessman in KwaZulu-Natal who had five wives.
Her mother, Clara Nthalane, was the youngest of the wives and had six children (two daughters and four boys) with Elias. Her father passed away when she was 22, and her mother later died in a car crash in 2011 while Zoe was seven months pregnant.
Education
Zoe’s education began at Little Flower Primary, a boarding school, and she later finished high school in Ixopo. During her school years, her height made her stand out, and she became a standout athlete. She excelled in netball and various track and field events.
At age 16, her versatility in sports like the long jump, javelin, and running earned her the Victrix Ludorum trophy.
Career
Mthiyane first entered the public eye in 2003 as a contestant on the SABC singing show Coca Cola Pop Stars.
Her vocal talent led her to a role in the South African production of The Lion King in 2007, which took her to Australia for two years and a European tour. She also performed as an opening vocalist for the 2016 film The Legend of Tarzan.
She appeared as Zitha Langa on SABC1’s Generations: The Legacy, a role she played from September 2016 until she was fired in 2020.
Her other film and TV credits include playing Katherine in She Is King (2017), appearing in Hotel on the Koppies (2021), and being featured in the 2023 Showmax series Unfollowed with host Thembekile Mrototo. She was the cover star for True Love Magazine in 2018.
Personal Life
Zoe was previously involved with sports broadcaster Robert Marawa, and they share a son, Awande. They ended their relationship in 2012.
She met composer Lebogang Morake during her time with The Lion King. Though they were engaged and had a daughter, Lulonke, they split in 2016. She was also linked to fellow actor Rapulana Seiphemo, but the relationship reportedly ended following claims of infidelity.
In December 2019, Zoe faced legal trouble when she was arrested in Douglasdale, Johannesburg, for driving under the influence.
Filmography
- The Legend of Tarzan (2016)
- She Is King (2017)
- Hotel on the Koppies (2021)
- Unfollowed (2023)
References
- Thembisile Makgalemele. “Zoe Mthiyane on growing up in a big polygamous family”. Drum.
- Kemong Mopedi. “Zoe Mthiyane chats to us about motherhood and learning to live alongside fame”. True Love.
- Kgomotso Moganedi. “‘Deadbeat dad’ drama steals show at Lebo M’s glitzy screening“. Sunday Times.
- Norman Masungwini. “The Lions’ den is open!”. Drum.
- IOL. “Dreams still alive, for now”. www.iol.co.za.
- Pearl Mokgatlhe. “ICYMI: Zoe Mthiyane Slays The Cover Of True Love Magazine”. Zkhiphani.
- Emily Mgidi. “Generations Star Bust for Drunk Driving!”. Daily Sun.
- Shingai Darangwa. “Zoe Mthiyane spills the tea on Lebo M drama on ‘Unfollowed’: ‘This interview is going to get me in sh*t’”. IOL.
- TheVibes Editor. “Zoe Mthiyane: Biography, Age, Children, Parents, Baby Daddies”. The Vibes.
- Sowetan. “Lebo M proposes to Zoe Mthiyane”. www.sowetan.co.za.
