Moshidi Motshegwa's bio: Her life, family, and role on The River
Moshidi Motshegwa is one of the highly respected and influential actresses in South Africa. With over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry, she has worked with different production companies and featured on various TV shows. Here is Moshidi Motshegwa's bio and details about her life.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Moshidi is an award-winning South African actress with over 20 years of experience in film and television.
- She acted in both local productions and international films.
- She gained fame for her powerful performance as Nandipha in the iconic drama Yizo Yizo.
Profile summary
Full name | Moshidi Motshegwa |
Gender | Female |
Date of birth | 3 September 1977 |
Age | 48 years (as of 2025) |
Zodiac sign | Virgo |
Place of birth | South Africa |
Nationality | South African |
Ethnicity | African |
Religion | Christianity |
Sexuality | Straight |
Height in centimetres | 5'2" |
Height in feet | 160 |
Hair colour | Black |
Eye colour | Brown |
Relationship status | Single |
Children | 1 |
School | National School of the Arts |
Profession | Actress, Writer and producer |
Net worth | $8 million |
Moshidi Motshegwa's biography
Moshidi Motshegwa's birth location is not publicly known; however, she is a South African national born on 3 September 1977. As of 2025, Moshidi Motshegwa is 48 years old, and her zodiac sign is Virgo.
Education
Motshegwa attended the National School of the Arts, which, at that time, was called Johannesburg Art, Ballet, Drama and Music School. After graduating from there in 1993, she was admitted into Wits University in 1994 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History.
Source: Original
Career
Her acting career began in theatre with notable performances in productions such as Marabi (1995), The Coloured Museum (1996), The Cherry Orchard (1997), and A Streetcar Named Desire (2002). These early-stage roles built her reputation as a dynamic and disciplined performer. Today, she has grown to become one of the most famous South African actresses.
Moshidi made her screen debut in the late 1990s with roles in acclaimed television dramas such as Mandela and De Klerk, where she portrayed Zinzi Mandela, and Zero Tolerance. This police drama, Critical Assignment, earned her a Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a Television Drama.
Over the years, she has appeared in numerous South African and international productions, including Drum, The Lab, Behind the Badge, Jozi H, Hillside, and Rhythm City. One of her most celebrated roles came in 2018 when she starred as Malefu Mokoena in the hit telenovela The River.
What TV shows has Moshidi Motshegwa been in?
According to her IMDb profile, the actress has appeared in 26 films and TV series and produced one. She also wrote 2946 episodes of Generations. Below are Moshidi Motshegwa's movies and TV shows.
Year | Film | Role |
2023 | Invasion | President Benya Mabote |
2020 | Vagrant Queen | General Dessai |
2020 | The Letter for the King | Eviellan Shaman |
2019 | Good Omens | Supreme Leader |
2018 | The River | Molefu |
2016–2017 | Black Sails | The Maroon Queen |
2017 | Oasis | Lily |
2012 | Wild at Heart | Dr. Macmillan |
2011 | Outcasts | Dr. Desia |
2010 | Stay with Me | Sarah |
2010 | Jozi | Thembi |
2009 | The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency | Mma Pekwane |
2009 | Diamonds | Nora Compton |
2009 | Endgame | Sebolela |
2008 | Deadly Harvest | Serafina |
2007 | Stellenbosch | Shelley |
2006–2007 | Jozi-H | Nomsa Mangena |
2004 | Drum | Florence Nxumalo |
2004 | Zero Tolerance | Denzela Ledwaba |
2003 | ER | Céline |
2003 | Critical Assignment | Anita Chiama |
2002 | Behind the Badge | Xolisa Ngoza |
2001–2004 | S.O.S | Kit |
2000 | Hijack Stories | Grace |
1997 | Mandela and de Klerk | Zindzi |
1993 | Generations |
Why did Moshidi leave The River?
After five years off-screen, Moshidi landed a role back on The River, airing on Mzansi Magic. As one of The River cast members, she played the role of Malefu, who lost her husband to the cold hands of death, and as a result, she went through several struggles, including dealing with a criminal son.
During an interview, the actress revealed that she had exited the production after being informed that her character no longer had a storyline.
They said they don't have a story for Malefu. It's as simple as that. That is what the producers have said. I am repeating what the producers said... I just left. I finished my job on that day and they told me they don't have a story.
Another primary reason she did not return to The River was that she was underpaid. She stated:
First he(Executive Producer) said i am too expensive, then he wanted to diminish me. In October last year I was told(that) I was going to be offered a contract for season two and on 1 December, I signed it, but on 21 December, I was told(that) my contract was not valid as my character no longer had a story.
Who is Moshidi Motshegwa's husband?
Source: Getty Images
There is no public information about Moshidi Motshegwa's marital status. She does, however, have a daughter, whom she credits with giving new meaning to her life.
In a now-deleted post, she reflected on the profound impact of motherhood, sharing how it has shaped her perspective and priorities.
I love being a mom, I love it! It’s almost like we are both two years old, it’s a whole new start for me, we are both growing. The biggest lesson I want to teach my daughter is that she is loved. It is important for girls to be told this. That they are loved and are enough.
What is Moshidi Motshegwa's net worth?
Moshidi is one of the highest-paid South African actresses. She is worth around $8 million. However, there is no specific information on how much she earns.
Moshidi Motshegwa vs Larona's feud
The feud between veteran actress Moshidi Motshegwa and newcomer Larona Moagi on the set of The River became one of the most talked-about disputes in South African television.
It began when Larona Moagi, who portrayed Tumi, accused Moshidi Motshegwa, who played her on-screen mother Malefu, of bullying and harassment on set. Moshidi later admitted to the press that her relationship with Larona was "strained at best."
Although Tumi and Malefu were mother and daughter on The River, their off-screen relationship was far from affectionate. Larona allegedly claimed that the veteran actress bullied her constantly, prompting her to report the issue to the producers, who then confronted Moshidi.
I had had a disagreement with Gwydion, one of the executive producers. He reprimanded me and told me that I was being ‘cruel’ and I needed to stop. One of the younger actresses had complained that she can’t act (with me) because I am being cruel to her. I proceeded to ask what I had done and he couldn’t say, so I left the meeting and went home.
In response, Moshidi stated that Larona was inexperienced and struggled with her performance as Tumi.
It was very difficult to work with Larona. We can’t cast people from Instagram, give them a huge role and not give them support.I even said at the meeting(with producers) that Larona is struggling because she is not an actress and has been given a huge role to play. This is a craft. It is a skill.
According to reports, the situation escalated when the prona's parents allegedly wanted to visit The River to confront Moshidi. The actress also admitted to criticising the writers for poor character development in Malefu's storyline.
Source: Getty Images
FAQs
- Who is Moshidi Motshegwa? She is a South African actress known for roles in TV shows such as Zero Tolerance, The River, Generations, Black Sails, and Isono.
- What is Moshidi Motshegwa's age? As of 2025, the South African actress is 48 years old. She was born on 3 September 1977.
- Where is Moshidi Motshegwa now? Not much is known about her current residence. However, she continues to work in South African television and media.
- What is Moshidi Motshegwa's Instagram? It appears that she is not active on any social media platforms.
Moshidi Motshegwa's bio shows a South African actress whose career spans over two decades. Her departure from The River was a significant moment for the show, but it was a testament to her artistic integrity and desire for growth.
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