Nelisiwe Sibiya
Nelisiwe Sibiya | |
|---|---|
 Sibiya in 2022 | |
| Born | Nelisiwe Faith Sibiya 13 September 1992 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Other names | Faith |
| Alma mater | Tshwane University of Technology |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Notable work |
|
Nelisiwe Faith Sibiya (born September 13, 1992) is a South African actress, singer and radio presenter.[1] She is best known lead role in the e.tv television series Durban Gen as Dr Mbali Mthethwa and Mzansi Magic telenovela Ithonga as Zamahlabo Ntanzi.[2][3] She released an African cultured music called "Mama ka Bafana" in 2016 that went viral and has been Lockdown theme song.[4]
Early life
[edit]Sibiya was born on 13 September 1992, in Johannesburg, South Africa. She grew up with her sister and mother. Her father was shot dead when she was 8 years old in front of them.[5] They lived with an uncle and an aunt, but later left the place after her sister and herself were sexually abused and one of the abuses was committed by her uncle.[6][7]
In January 2015, she enrolled to Tshwane University of Technology to study Musical Studies.[8] Later, she got a bursary for the remaining two years. In 2016, her mother died before the graduation.[9]
Career
[edit]Her mother came from a family of singers. With the help of her sister, Nelisiwe started her singing career.[10] After her sister's death, she joined her high school choir. During this period in the choir, she received choral and classical training.[11] Her first major playback singing came through the prison serial Lockdown with the theme song "Mama Ka Bafana" in 2018.[12] Then in 2020, she played the lead role of Dr Mbali Mthethwa in the e.tv medical drama telenovela Durban Gen.[13][14] For her role, she won the award for the Best Actress in Africa by the Zikomo Awards in 2021.[15]
In 2023, she appeared in Mzansi Magic television series Umkhokha: The Curse as Nompendulo.[16][17] In November 2024, she debuted on etv Scandal! playing the character of Sanda a single mother to a teenage boy Khumo.[18][9][19] She became the radio presenter at Gagasi FM.[20][21] She bagged the lead in a new telenovela Ithonga as Zamahlabo Ntanzi in 2025.[22][23]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Lockdown | Prisoner |
| 2020 | Durban Gen | Dr Mbali Mthethwa |
| 2023 | Umkhokha:The Curse | Nompendulo |
| 2024 | Scandal! | Sanda |
| 2025 | Ithonga | Zamahlobo Ntanzi |
References
[edit]- ^ "Nelisiwe Sibiya hits back at those who have no respect for others". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Nelisiwe Sibiya Durban Gen". Savanna News. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Keteyi, Oluthando (6 February 2025). "Bonko Khoza, Ayanda Borotho and Nelisiwe Sibiya to star in Mzansi Magic's 'iThonga'". IOL. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ "Getting to know Lockdown's Nelisiwe Sibiya". News24. 7 October 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ "Nelisiwe opens up about childhood trauma: My dad was shot in front of me when I was 8/9". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Nelisiwe Sibiya on healing after she opened up about being abused". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Nelisiwe Sibiya on being abused: I remember it so clearly, I know the pain". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Nelisiwe Sibiya on building a house after matric and being in debt". ZAlebs. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Nelisiwe Sibiya Biography". Ubetoo. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Digital, Drum. "A tragic end for Durban Gen as Dr Mbali Mthethwa passes away". News24. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ Legoale, Refiloe. "5 minutes with maskandi hitmaker Nelisiwe Sibiya". News24. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ "Nelisiwe Sibiya detoured on international plans for Lockdown gig". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Nelisiwe Sibiya talks about hardships she experienced before stardom". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Nelisiwe Sibiya on Durban Gen role: 'It reminded me of my mother's last days in hospital'". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Nteyi, Zama. "NELISIWE IS A BIG WINNER". Daily Sun. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ Nteyi, Zama. "How AFRO hair got Umkhokha actress the role!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ Sekgota, Hilary (6 December 2023). "'Umkhokha: The Curse' Actress Nelisiwe Sibiya's Umemulo Ceremony Turns Heads on TikTok - Briefly.co.za". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ Miller, Sergio (6 November 2024). "Neliswe Sibiya secures new role in eTV's Scandal!". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ "'People thought I was just a musician' - Nelisiwe Sibiya bags first acting award". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Village, Youth (30 March 2024). "Nelisiwe Sibiya "Replaces" Penny Ntuli At Gagasi". Youth Village. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ Magagula, Nompumelelo. "Actor Nelisiwe Sibiya joins Gagasi FM to co-host Sunday night show". News24. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ Tleane, Lebo (3 March 2025). "Nelisiwe Faith Sibiya Introduces Her Latest Acting Role". Youth Village. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ Langa, Jabulani. "iThonga actress: I'm not evil Zama!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 14 May 2025.