Motsoaledi Setumo (born 15 April 1991) is a celebrated South African actress and radio personality. Fans know her best for her role as Mmabatho on the Mzansi Magic soapie The Queen.
Originally from Kagiso, West Rand, she has established herself as a powerhouse performer. Her work spans South Africa’s most popular dramas and global streaming hits.
Beyond acting, Setumo excels as a trained media specialist. She brings a deep background in radio broadcasting and content production to her work. In this article, we explore her early life, education, career journey, and personal life. Read until the end for all the details.
Biography of Mo-Setumo

| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Motsoaledi Kgothatso Elna Setumo |
| Date of birth | 15 April 1991 |
| Place of birth | Kagiso, West Rand, South Africa |
| Education | Media Studies (Radio), Boston Media House |
| Height | Approximately 1.65 m |
| Occupation | Actress, Radio Producer, Media Personality |
| Known for | The Queen (Mmabatho), Generations: The Legacy (Thabi) |
| Spouse/Partner | Private |
| Children | One daughter (Onkarabile) |
| Family | Glenda Setumo (Mother), Johnny Setumo (Father) |
| @mo_setumo | |
| Net worth | Estimated $100,000 – $300,000 |
| Nationality | South African |
Early Life and Education
Motsoaledi Setumo was born on 15 April 1991 in Kagiso, a township in the West Rand. Initially, she experienced a stable home life, but her parents divorced when she was only six years old. Shortly after, her circumstances changed drastically because her mother, Glenda, suffered a serious car accident.
Unfortunately, the crash left her mother quadriplegic. Consequently, this tragedy forced Setumo to take on adult responsibilities at a very young age.
As a result, she spent much of her youth living with various relatives while her mother recovered. Despite these early hardships, the experience helped shape her into a resilient individual. Later, she completed her schooling and decided to pursue a professional path in the media industry.
In 2011, she enrolled at Boston Media House to study Media Studies. During her three years of study, she chose to specialise in Radio Broadcasting.
Furthermore, she successfully completed her qualification in 2013. Ultimately, this academic background served as the foundation for her thriving career in both radio and television.
Personal Life
Regarding her private world, Motsoaledi Setumo remains reserved about her relationships. However, she recently surprised fans by revealing her four-year journey as a mother. Specifically, she celebrated her daughter Onkarabile’s fourth birthday in January 2025. Through this revelation, she shared the deep joy she finds in parenthood.
In addition, she has been open about her emotional healing. For example, she faced a profound loss when her mother passed away in 2019. Because of this, she took a two-year break to focus on her mental health. By doing so, she prioritised her well-being during a very difficult time.
Furthermore, she uses her platform to advocate for disability rights. Ultimately, her life story reflects incredible resilience and personal growth. Consequently, she continues to inspire many through her honesty and strength. Today, she balances her professional success with her role as a dedicated parent.
Career Journey
Initially, Motsoaledi Setumo began her professional life in the media world as a radio producer. Following her studies, she gained experience at Metro FM and Radio 2000. Soon after, she joined Motsweding FM in 2018 as a drive-time host. However, her passion for performing eventually led her toward the television screen.
In 2015, she landed her breakout acting role as Thabitha “Thabi” Cele on Generations: The Legacy. Consequently, she became a household name across South Africa. Later, she joined the cast of the popular soapie The Queen as Mmabatho. In this role, she earned widespread acclaim for her performance and chemistry with her co-stars.
More recently, she has expanded her reach into global streaming platforms. For instance, she appeared in the hit Showmax series The Wife as Tshedi. Furthermore, she starred in the 2024 Netflix romantic comedy A Soweto Love Story. Ultimately, these diverse roles prove her incredible range and staying power in the industry.
Filmography
| Year [3, 4, 5, 6, 7] | Title | Role | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | A Soweto Love Story | Sentebaleng (Sente) | Netflix Film |
| 2024 | He’s Not Ready | Zonke | Film |
| 2023 | Kokota (Season 1) | Pepsi | TV Series |
| 2022–2023 | The Wife | Tshedimosetso (Tshidi) | Showmax Series |
| 2022 | The Payback | Mary | Film |
| 2021 | Margarine | Cast | Film |
| 2018–2020 | The Queen | Mmabatho | TV Soapie |
| 2016–2017 | Greed & Desire | Tselane Dlamini | TV Telenovela |
| 2015 | Generations: The Legacy | Thabitha “Thabi” Cele | TV Soapie |