Most actors have honours or even doctorate degrees in drama or some arts-related degree. However, very few have degrees in something like engineering or medicine.

10 South African Actors Who Are Doctors or Engineers in Real

So, in this article, we will look at 10 South African actors who are qualified engineers or medical doctors. We will also include others who studying to be engineers or doctors. So, read till the end for all the details.

1. Dr Fezile Mkhize

Fezile Mkhize is basically a superstar; the actor plays Khensani on Generations: The Legacy. A role that aligns well with his other accolades.

Fezile is actually a medical doctor in real life, and when he’s off screen, he is treating patients. He is one of the South African actors who are doctors or engineers in real life.

Dr. Fezile Mkhize who plays Khensani on Generations, is one of the South African Actors Who Are doctors or engineers in real life. — Dr. Fezile Mkhize, who plays Khensani on Generations, is one of the South African actors who are doctors or engineers in real life.

Generations casting director Russell Savadier even testified that the actor’s professionalism was on another level. Furthermore, Fezile was a top billing presenter before this and even won a Mr. Africa title and Mr. World South Africa in 2019. So, if you were wondering why he’s appealing to look at, just know you’re not the only one who feels like that about him. Millions do.

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2. Thato Dithebe

Dithebe was once a YoTV presenter at an early age and was known as President Thato. The actor, who is now an engineering graduate, began his acting journey not long ago with his latest big role on House of Zwide as Neo.

Dithebe is also obviously an influencer in the entertainment industry. However, what most didn’t know was that Dithebe was actually studying for an engineering degree at Wits University.

Thato Dithebe is one of the South African Actors Who Are doctors or engineers in real life. — Thato Dithebe is one of the South African actors who are doctors or engineers in real life.

While we don’t know the specific Engineering degree he was studying for, it seems like he did the degree for his mom, according to his caption. So, we don’t know if he will be practicing full-time or not. But if you know how hard Engineering is, you know he deserves flowers for that.

3. Musa Mthombeni

Dr. Musa Mthombeni is a South African actor, businessman and TV presenter best known for presenting on YoTV and other TV shows. He is a celebrity doctor with many academic accolades.

Moreover, Mthombeni also worked in radio hosting before venturing into acting. While his roles weren’t so big, he appeared in a lead role in eKasi Our Stories as James in an episode named “The Boy Named Next Door.”

Dr. Musa Mthombeni is one of the South African actors who are doctors or engineers in real life. Life

Furthermore, in 2013, he appeared in intersexions as Bra Bones. As of 2024, the 35-year-old actor has many medicinal accolades, with his latest graduation being in radiology.

So he’s a radiologist as of 2024, among his other specialities in medicine. Dr. Mthombeni is also married to Liesl Laurie, whom some may recognize from his posts.

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4. Cedric Fourie

Fourie is a South African actor best known for playing Lehasa Maphosa on Skeem Saam. Furthermore, the actor also appeared in Generations: The Legacy as The Hammer or William.

However, prior to his days in the entertainment industry, Cedric graduated with a degree in Engineering. He had gotten a bursary to study this degree. So, after completing his degree, he transitioned into working as a networking engineer.

Cedric Fourie is an engineer in real life

He worked for companies like Erricson, Huawei Technology and Mobax group. And while his job was paying well, it wasn’t his dream job or passion. So, he began looking for auditions and attending them. And before he knew it, he got some acting roles and as soon as he got the Lehasa Maphosa role, he quit his job. However, if things ever go sour, he can always go back.

5. Africa Tsoai

One surprising person on this list has to be taxi owner Africa Tsoai. The humble John Maputla is not just an actor but also a taxi owner and engineer. However, what most don’t know is that Tsoai earned his Sound Engineering degree on a petrol attendant salary.

Africa Tsoai is a Sound Engineer in real life

While we don’t know if he’s still using his degree for actual employment or not,. His resilience and endurance are remarkable. Furthermore, the actor owns a taxi business. So, aside from acting, Tsoai was pretty sorted financially.

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6. Mikateko Hlabangwane

Another actor/actress who has an Engineering degree and is currently pursuing one is Mikateko Hlabangwane. She plays Mary on TV’s Scandal, a role she has played for nearly a decade now.

Mikateko Hlabangwane is also studying engineering in real life

In real life, she plays Netball at a competitive level for the University of Pretoria. However, one aspect that some don’t know is that she is pursuing a degree in civil engineering.

For now, it doesn’t seem she has graduated, but we believe this is probably her last year. Mikateko is also an artist and makes music.

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7. Sandile Mahlangu

Another former Scandal actor is Sandile Vincent Mahlangu. The 30-year-old actor was born in Middeburg, Mpumalanga, and moved to Gauteng to study engineering at TUT.

While he was at the University of Tshwane, he started attending auditions with his other close friend, Thabang Molaba. The two have since appeared in some highly praised series like Blood and Water and How to Ruin Christmas, among many others.

Sandile Mahlangu is one of the South African actors who are Doctors or Engineers in real life

Mahlangu’s specific degree in Engineering is Electrical engineering. He actually worked as an electrical apprentice in a Mine in North West. However, an accident that nearly cost him his life happened.

So, he decided to move to Gauteng to further his studies to become an electrical engineer to avoid having to put his life at such direct risk. However, while in Gauteng, he decided to pursue his passion for acting too. And that’s what led him to our screens.

8. Nyalleng Thibedi

For those who know Nyalleng Thibedi, you know that she has had a very interesting career on our screens. She appeared on Ashes to Ashes as Mpho, Tsietsi’s wife, and again on Uzalo as Zekhethelo.

While some despised her work on Uzalo, its undeniable that her contributions in the entertainment industry can’t be erased. Furthermore, the actress is also a businesswoman, using her newly found fame to push other endeavors.

Nyaleng Thibedi has a degree in Chemical engineering

But one detail most people didn’t know was that the actress is actually a qualified chemical engineer. I don’t know how many of you were good at chemistry, but you know that.

But she was smart enough to pass it well. In fact, she used her expertise in chemistry to come up with her own lip gloss. So, if you thought it was beauty without brains, as most of you stereotypically think, you’re wrong; she’s beauty with extra brains.

9. Cebo Mthembu

For our Uzalo fans, you probably know Cebo as Nyawo on the show. Nyawo is one of those actors who use what some call advanced, complicated, and distinguished English. But that’s not the only thing he’s good at; Cebo Mthembu is actually that smart in real life.

Wiseman Mncuube and Cebolenkosi Mthembu (right) who plays Nyawo on Uzalo — Wiseman Mncuube and Cebolenkosi Mthembu (right), who plays Nyawo on Uzalo

In real life, Cebo is everything from an actual school teacher to an athlete, radio host, singer and last but not least, an electrician. Bro is super talented and that’s an understatement. Cebo also has one son named after him, who also shared the screen with Uzalo.

Before we get lost in the smoke, Cebo Mthembu is an actual Electrical Engineer, having graduated with the degree a while back in 1998. Mthembu studied his electrical engineering degree at Mangosuthu University of Technology. Furthermore, he also used his degree to teach mathematics in high school, teaching grades 10–12.

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10. Nay Maps

Last but not least on our super smart people’s list is none other than Nay Maps. Nkosinathi Maphalala is best known for his Uzalo role as Mxolisi. However, in real life, he is a father and an IT specialist.

He graduated with a degree in Information Technology at the University of Technology. However, the degree was like a master with two minors, with two minors in software and programming. So, he is practically a software engineer of some sort.

Nay Maps is an IT specialist in real life

As of 2024, the actor will be 37 years old, and on his Instagram, he shows his interests in traveling, music, entrepreneurship, and cooking. He has traveled from as far and wide as the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and more.

We don’t know if he’s using his degree for any employable use or on a business level, but its’s very in demand. So, he will never suffer from unemployment, even if everything comes crashing down.

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