The life and acting journey of Nathaniel Ramabulana in film, television, and beyond

Nathaniel Ramabulana is a talented South African actor with a career spanning film, television, and theatre. His performances reflect versatility, depth, and a passion for storytelling. Exploring the life and acting journey of Nathaniel Ramabulana highlights his rise in the entertainment industry and his influence beyond the screen.

Key takeaways

• Nathaniel Ramabulana trained as an actor and built a career in theatre before moving into film and television.
• He has appeared in a range of productions, from stage plays to popular South African TV dramas and international projects.
• Beyond acting, he has also explored directing, writing, and producing, showing his creativity extends behind the scenes.
• Ramabulana values storytelling that reflects African experiences and perspectives, which guides his career choice.

Nathaniel Ramabulana’s profile summary

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The life and acting journey of Nathaniel Ramabulana

Nathaniel Ramabulana is a South-African actor, writer, and director whose career spans theatre, film, and television. He trained in drama and built his foundation on stage before moving into screen roles that earned him national recognition.

His versatility allows him to portray both dramatic and comedic characters, while his passion for storytelling extends into producing and writing. The life and acting journey of Nathaniel Ramabulana reflects resilience, creativity, and a commitment to bringing African stories to a wider audience.

Who is Ramabulana?

Nathaniel Ramabulana is a South African actor. He is best known for his versatile performances across theatre, television, and film. Over the years, Ramabulana has gained recognition for bringing depth and authenticity to his roles, while also contributing to African storytelling through writing and production.

How old is Tendamudzimu?

Nathaniel Ramabulana's age is 41 years as of 2025. Tenda from Muvhango was born on 16 March 1984. His zodiac sign is Pisces.

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What is Tenda from Muvhango's real name?

Tenda from Muvhango’s real name is Nathaniel Ramabulana. Nathaniel Ramabulana plays the character Tendamudzimu “Tenda” Mudau in the popular South African soap opera Muvhango.

Is Tenda from Muvhango Zimbabwean?

He is South African. The actor was born and raised in Parkhurst, Gauteng, South Africa. Unlike many celebrities, he has not disclosed the identities of his family members.

Nathaniel Ramabulana's parents

Nathaniel was born to Venda parents who both worked as domestic workers. He has often shared how his upbringing shaped his life and career. His father’s employer, Mrs. Hill, played a key role in his early education by enrolling him in a private school.

After his parents divorced, Nathaniel was raised mostly by his mother, who moved frequently in search of better living conditions. He once said he and his mother lived in many parts of Johannesburg, including Hillbrow, the northern suburbs, squatter camps, and backyard rooms.

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“When my parents divorced, my mother opted to move from place to place with me. I always joke that there is no part of Johannesburg that we had not lived in ‒ be it Hillbrow, the northern suburbs, squatter camps and back rooms ‒ but I respect her for keeping me.”

Educational background

The multiple-award-winning actor is well-educated. He attended Greenside High School for his high school studies. Later, he went to the University of the Witwatersrand, where he graduated with a Dramatic Arts Honours degree. He told SowetanLIVE;

“The university years were challenging for me because I had to work while studying to fend for myself. Though it was challenging to balance work and demanding studies I persevered.”

What is Nathaniel Ramabulana's profession?

Nathaniel Ramabulana’s profession is that of an actor, writer, and director. He is best known for his work in film, television, and theatre, with standout roles in productions like Muvhango and other South African dramas. Beyond acting, he has also contributed to storytelling through writing and directing projects that highlight African perspectives.

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Nathaniel Ramabulana's movies and TV shows

According to IMDb, he has 23 acting credits at the time of writing. However, the number is slightly higher when local TV shows and films are included. They include:

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He hopes to write, direct, and produce more than he acts in the future. As a writer, one of his popular works is a play titled Hayani. Lastly, he has appeared in a commercial for Savannah, a South African local beer brand. The ad is available on YouTube.

Awards and other recognitions

The actor has also been honoured with several nominations and awards for his various roles in the industry. Some of his awards include:

• He was nominated twice for the Naledi Theatre Awards in 2011 for his roles in The Girl in the Yellow Dress and Master Harold and the Boys.
• He was named among the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans.
• He won a SAFTA Award for Best Ensemble in 2010.
• He also received a Naledi Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2011.

Nathaniel Ramabulana's wife?

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Nathaniel Ramabulana is married to Mpho Mukwevho, and together they have built a loving family life. Both come from the Venda tribe, and despite Nathaniel’s fame, they prefer to keep most of their personal life private.

In 2022, Ramabulana made headlines when he surprised his wife by renewing his proposal during their anniversary celebration. He recreated their very first date—a picnic in the park—as a heartfelt gesture to show his continued love and commitment.

By 2025, Nathaniel and Mpho had celebrated 13 years of marriage, a milestone that reflects their enduring bond. Their relationship is admired for its stability, authenticity, and the way they balance family life with Nathaniel’s demanding career in film and television.

Nathaniel Ramabulana's children

Nathaniel Ramabulana and his wife, Mpho Mukwevho, share a daughter. The couple have chosen to keep their child’s life private, only occasionally giving fans a glimpse into their family moments.

In addition to their daughter, Mpho has a child from a previous relationship. This makes them a blended family, and Nathaniel is often praised for embracing his role as both a father and stepfather.

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Trivia

• Nathaniel’s parents were domestic workers, and he lived in the employers’ backyard early in life. It was through that exposure (his father’s boss enrolling him in a private school) that he first got access to better education.
• He attended Greenside High School, and despite moving frequently as a child, he jokes that he “lived everywhere in Jozi” (Johannesburg), including Hillbrow, northern suburbs, squatter camps, and back rooms.
• He earned an Honours degree in Dramatic Arts from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2008.
• He is multilingual, speaking Venda, English, Zulu, Tswana, and Afrikaans.
• In addition to acting on TV and film, he has performed in several important theatre works: The Girl in the Yellow Dress (2010), Master Harold...and the Boys (2010), The Island (2013), etc.
• Nathaniel has shown strong loyalty and connection to his role of Tenda in Muvhango. He once said he “missed it terribly” when he was away from the role.
• He is known to keep his personal life quite private—rarely posts photos of family—and only occasionally shows glimpses on social media.
• He once got arrested for speeding: caught driving 136 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on the N1 North Highway in Johannesburg.

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The life and acting journey of Nathaniel Ramabulana showcases dedication, creativity, and resilience. From stage roles to television hits and film projects, he has left a strong mark on African entertainment. His story continues to inspire upcoming actors and audiences alike.

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Source: Briefly News