Who is Nkanyiso Mchunu? Age, wife, sisters, TV shows, salary, house, profiles

Most people know him as Nkululeko on Imbewu, although there are layers to the mysterious yet daring figure. Nkanyiso Mchunu is an actor to behold; his ability to take up controversial roles and paint a particular personality in viewers' minds is unmatched.

Nkanyiso Mchunu is one of the most talented actors in South Africa's entertainment scene. His acting prowess, as seen in Muvhango and Skwizas, is commendable. He often portrays a bad guy, which gets on the nerves of viewers who watch his soapies. Some have formed a mentality about him and his personality. Is he the person fans assume he is?

Profile summary

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Nkanyiso Mchunu's biography

Nkanyiso Mchunu was born in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, and was raised by a single mum in Wartburg, KwaZulu-Natal, alongside his siblings. The actor hails from a talented family, and his sisters are also into acting.

What is Nkanyiso Mchunu's age?

The South African actor is 35 years old (as of 2024). He was born on 14th July 1989.

Who are Nkanyiso Mchunu's siblings?

Nkanyiso Mchunu's sisters, Nelisa Mchunu (born in 1992), Zonke Mchunu (born in 1993), and Londeka Mchunu (born in 1994), are established actresses and models in South Africa.

Nelisa Mchunu has appeared in Isithembiso, Isibaya, Uzalo, and other soapies. Londeka is known for her roles in soap operas like Isithembiso, Isibaya, and House of Zwide. Meanwhile, Zonke played roles like Imani in the Muvhango soapie and Serene in the Resident Evil series.

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How was Nkanyiso Mchunu's childhood?

Nelisa, Zonke, Londeka, and Nkanyiso Mchunu's father lived in Clermont, KwaZulu-Natal, and had ten siblings on his side. He died when Nelisa was only four.

The siblings have fond memories of their dad visiting them during holidays. Their mother had financial issues raising them, so she sent Nelisa and two of her brothers to their grandmother's place.

Nkanyiso Mchunu's mother disapproved of her children pursuing arts at their A levels. As a result, it took much convincing to venture into acting. Nelisa was the first to break into the industry when she landed a job as an extra cast member on SABC3's Isidingo.On the other hand, Nkanyiso won an AIDS Song Competition in 2005 after his community members encouraged him to take music seriously. Winning the competition, he shared a stage with late musicians Deborah Fraser and Mandoza that year.

While speaking about his childhood memories and the Pietermaritzburg community he grew up in, Nkanyiso told Sowetan Live:

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There was this old man called Bab' Ngidi who owned many taxis and also bought old ones to fix them; he has since passed on. He used take a lot of young men around hostels under his wing.

He worked with us and taught us a lot about fixing cars. He made sure we went to school. When I won the competition, he said at least you know where your talent lies. I grew up around a community that was full of love.

Career history

After finishing his matric, Nkanyiso moved to Pretoria in 2006 to live with his uncle. While working as a waiter, he met many people who encouraged him to take acting classes. So, Mchunu followed their advice and joined the Duma Ndlovu Academy (DNA), which opened a new world for him.

Nkanyiso debuted in acting by playing Sizwe, a recurring role, in Muvhango. The role set a precedent for him to make a cameo on Ingozi and later an opportunity to guest starr in Skwizas, the sitcom.

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Months later, he got another role in Soul City. He also featured as S'motoza in the third season of eHostela. In 2019, Nkanyiso joined the cast of Imbewu: The Seed, the e.tv soapie as Nkululeko.

Nkululeko was a troubled and mysterious young man on the run from a dangerous past life. He was determined to keep his life a mystery but could not resist demons from his past haunting him.

Nkululeko thrived in mystery. He secured a seat in the controversial Bhengu family, and as the events in the show unfolded, it turned out that Nkululeko was a potential heir. This revelation marked the beginning of his woes and the quest to demystify his hidden past.

Why did Nkululeko leave Imbewu ?

Nkanyiso Mchunu quit his role, Nkululeko, at the beginning of 2022 and announced his departure from the show on Facebook. His post read:

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This is me signing out. Imbewu and I have decided to end our working relationship. I would like to thank the production for the opportunity and platform to showcase what I can do. Ngyabonga kuwo wonke umuntu, who supported me throughout this journey.

What happened to old Nkululeko on Imbewu?

He allegedly left the show because his salary increase demands for "being overworked" were dismissed. Nkanyiso Mchunu's salary on Imbewu ranged between R65,000 and R70,000 per month.

Mchunu debuted on Imbewu during the first season's finale and became a recurring cast member for four seasons. He recalled how overwhelming it was to work with all the talent in the show and how much he learned. Being in Imbewu was a dream come true, and it helped him polish his skills.

The actor also wowed fans on Mzansi Magic's Umkhokha: The Curse Mlungisi Mthembu/ Mzobe. His character was a reformed, problematic man who became the leader of AmaJudiya (a church owned by his late father, Mthembu).

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Viewers were starting to like the newly formed Mkhululi (Mlungisi) when he suddenly decided to end his life by jumping from a high building after celebrating his birthday with family and friends.

Many were heartbroken when Mkhululi left the show in September 2023. His on-screen child, Malinga, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. Part of her caption read:

I love your acting bby boy, you're one of the best in the country...I salute you, @nkanyisomchunu_, you make acting look so easy, you are a natural. Thank you for being a wonderful on-screen and off screen son, love you always.

Apart from acting, Nkanyiso is also a great voice-over artist. Before joining Imbewu, he did a voice-over for an ABSA bank commercial. Mchunu also acted in a television advert for MTN.

Nkanyiso Mchunu's TV shows

Here are all South African soap operas the actor has been featured in:

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Is Nkanyiso Mchunu married?

The actor is believed to be unmarried since he has never introduced a spouse to the public. Also, no one has ever claimed to be Nkanyiso Mchunu's wife, girlfriend, or lover.

Who is Nkanyiso Mchunu's girlfriend?

His online fans are yet to meet his baby mama or girlfriend. Nkanyiso often shows off his son on social media but has kept details about the boy's mother private.

Nkanyiso Mchunu's house

The South African actor lives in Durban. His Instagram has snippets of different houses, so it is challenging to ascertain whether he owns or has rented the properties.

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Why was Nkanyiso Mchunu arrested?

In September 2024, the former Imbewu actor was allegedly arrested by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Reports claim Nkanyiso was found to be above the legal drinking limit when tested with a breathalyzer during a roadblock operation.

A police officer further alleged the actor behaved inappropriately, assuming he could not be arrested because of his celebrity status. Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo confirmed Nchunu was released on an R500 bail.

Is Nkanyiso Mchunu on Wikipedia?

There is no biography of Nkanyiso Mchunu on Wikipedia, but various reputable sources have shared his life story. This article has compiled written information from multiple sources for fans who want to know him better.

Facts about Nkanyiso Mchunu

• Playing Nkululeko on Imbewu was instrumental in propelling his fame.
• He is close to his siblings, actresses Nelisa Mchunu, Zonke Mchunu, and Londeka Mchunu.
• Nkanyiso grew up in a loving community where older men mentored young ones.
• He runs an acting academy with his friend back home, which began as acting workshops.
• His acting academy shoots productions and produces theatre plays with young people.
• Nelson Ntombela, who played Chicken in Rhythm City, is an alumnus of Mchunu's academy.

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Some members of the public have been assuming that Nkanyiso Mchunu thrives in controversy after watching his TV roles. Hopefully, this biography has helped viewers separate the actor from his TV characters.

Briefly.co.za published Tamara Gilmer's biography. She came into the limelight due to her short-lived marriage and divorce from American country music vocalist Rory Feek.

Rory married Joey after ending his marriage with Tamara. He and Joey formed the Joey + Rory duo and came into the limelight when they emerged third on the first season of the CMT talent show, Can You Duet.

Source: Briefly News