Thembinkosi Mthembu (born July 31, 1994) is a South African actor best known for playing Bonga in the Showmax Original series Adulting and Dingiswayo on Shaka iLembe.
But before that, he was known for his role as Mabutho on The River. So, in this article, we will look at the artist’s personal life and career in ten facts. Read till the end for all the facts.
Profile summary of Thembinkosi Brian Mthembu
| Full name: | Thembinkosi Brian Zidane Mthembu |
| Date of birth: | July 31, 1994 (32 years in 2026) |
| Place of birth: | KwaNdengezi, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Education: | Durban University of Technology (2017) |
| Height: | 1.83m |
| Occupation: | Actor |
| Known for: | Bonga from Adulting, Mabutho from The River, Junior from The Republic |
| Net worth: | $100,000-$500,000 |
| Children: | 1 daughter |
| Nationality: | South African |
1. Where is Thembinkosi Mthembu from?
Well, Thembinkosi Brian Zidane Mthembu was born in the small village of KwaNdengezi, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He grew up there and would discover his passion before completing his high school education.
Mthembu is close with his mother, who has supported him through thick and thin. Furthermore, Mthembu had a sister who died in 2015, while Mthembu was still studying for his degree. So, his past contains a lot of pain.
2. How old is he?
Thembinkosi Mthembu was born on Julyy 31st, 1994. So, as of 2026, he is turning 32 years old. Most people already assume the actor was at least in his early 30s because of his mature-looking physique and personality. He was clearly raised well.
3. Is Thembinkosi Mthembu married?
Yes, as of 2026, Thembinkosi Mthembu is currently in a relationship with his lovely baby mom, Sibulele Ndaba and the two have one daughter together. After his daughter was born in 2019, Brian couldn’t fully support her financially as he wasn’t financially stable.
However, his mother stepped in, paying both for his rent and the child’s needs. So, he really appreciates his mother for supporting him through his dark days, as he can now support himself and his daughter.
4. Where did he get his education?
Well, after completing his high school education, Mthembu went to the city of Durban to study towards his passion. So, he enrolled at the Durban University of Technology to study for a degree in drama. After completing his degree, he went straight to Johannesburg to look for opportunities.
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5. He used to work as a dancer
When Mthembu moved to Johannesburg, he didn’t just become a star. He had to go through some difficult in which his mother even had to pay for his rent. Moreover, when he was in Johannesburg, he worked as a dancer for Checkers and Cell C.
6. Which Roles Has Thembinkosi Mthembu Played?
Thembinkosi Brian Mthembu started his television career with a minor role as Junior on The Republic in 2019. Consequently, his strong performance helped him land bigger parts. As a result, he was cast as Mabutho on The River, a role that became a regular part for multiple seasons.
Furthermore, he appeared in MTV Shuga Down South 2 as a Shift Manager and in the short film Ngeculo as Malusi. In 2023, he expanded his portfolio with major roles, including King Dingiswayo in the historical drama Shaka iLembe and Bonga Tembe in the Showmax series Adulting. Additionally, he starred as Bandile Biyela in Outlaws.
Moreover, in 2024 he took on new television roles including Sanele “Ferrari” Zulu in Champions and Sifiso Kubheka in the telenovela Homecoming, showing his versatility across multiple genres. His performance in Shaka iLembe earned him accolades, including Best Actor at the SAFTAs for portraying King Dingiswayo.
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7. How to Find Him on Social Media
Thembinkosi Brian Mthembu has built a very strong presence on social media, especially on Instagram, where he posts regularly about his work and personal life. His official Instagram handle is @thembinkosi__mthembu, and he has hundreds of thousands of followers engaging with his content as of 2025.
Furthermore, he appears to have a Twitter account under @TB_Mthembu, though it is more active conversationally and seems less verified compared with his Instagram. As a result, Instagram remains the best platform to follow his latest roles, behind‑the‑scenes moments, and personal updates.
8. What’s his net-worth?
As of 2025/2026, Thembinkosi Brian Mthembu’s estimated net worth is between about $100,000 and $500,000 USD (roughly R1.8 million – R9 million ZAR). This estimate reflects his earnings from acting roles in major South African TV series like The River, Shaka Ilembe, Adulting, Homecoming, and Champions.
Different sources vary in their estimates — one places his net worth around $628,000 USD as of late 2025, though this figure is approximate and algorithm‑driven rather than official.
9. What’s Thembinkosi Mthembu’s Height?
Thembinkosi Mthembu stands at 1.83 m (6 ft), according to his agency. Consequently, he has a strong on-screen presence that matches his stature. Moreover, his height complements his commanding performances in both television and theatre roles.
10.Who Is His Role Model
Thembinkosi Mthembu often speaks about the people who inspire him most. Furthermore, he has cited his mother as one of his greatest role models, crediting her strength, work ethic, and unwavering support for shaping his character and drive.
In addition, he looks up to seasoned South African actors like John Kani and Winston Ntshona for their dedication to craft and cultural storytelling. As a result, he draws on their careers for motivation as he builds his own legacy in film and television.
