Momo Matsunyane
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
July 30, 1988
Momo Matsunyane | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kgomotso Matsunyane July 30, 1988 |
| Alma mater | University of the Witwatersrand |
| Occupations | Theatre practitioner, playwright, actor, director |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Awards | Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Theatre (2023); Naledi Theatre Awards for Hlakanyana: The Musical (2023) |
Kgomotso “MoMo” Matsunyane is a South African theatre practitioner, playwright, actor, and director. She is best known for her work in contemporary South African theatre and for receiving the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Theatre in 2023.[1]
Matsunyane was born into a family involved in the performing arts and began acting as a child. She is the daughter of Neo Matsunyane, a director and actor, and was named after her aunt, radio and television personality Kgomotso Matsunyane.[2]
She earned an Honours degree in Dramatic Arts from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2012, majoring in performance, film, and television.[3]
Career
Matsunyane has worked professionally in theatre since 2004. She has performed in numerous stage productions, films, and television shows, and has been recognised with multiple awards and nominations. Her credits include major productions such as Hlakanyana: The Musical, which won multiple Naledi Theatre Awards in 2023.[4][5]
Her work has been featured at major festivals and venues in South Africa, and she has directed and written plays that explore social and cultural themes. Matsunyane also served as festival director for the Zwakala Festival and continues to mentor emerging theatre artists.
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role/Position | Venue/Production Company | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Thetha Msawawa 2 | Actor | Market Theatre | Early professional acting role | [6] |
| 2010 | Animal Farm | Actor | Wits Theatre | Supporting role in stage adaptation | [7] |
| 2015 | Hlakanyana: The Musical | Actor & Director | Market Theatre | Won multiple Naledi Theatre Awards in 2023 | [2] |
| 2018 | Ka Lebitso La Moya | Playwright & Director | Johannesburg Theatre | Won multiple Naledi Theatre Awards in 2025 | [8] |
| 2020 | The Call | Actor | Johannesburg Theatre | Stage adaptation of film; supporting role | [9] |
| 2022 | Levels | Actor | Mzansi Magic Theatre | Television and stage hybrid production | [10] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Thetha Msawawa 2 | — | Early drama series | [6] |
| 2000s–2020s | Dream World | — | TV show appearances | [2] |
| 2000s–2020s | Kuyini Ukwazi | — | Recurring TV series | [2] |
| 2000s–2020s | Kota Life Crisis | — | TV show appearances | [2] |
| 2000s–2020s | Mamello | — | TV series appearances | [2] |
| 2000s–2020s | Karektas | — | Sketch comedy series | [9] |
| 2025 | Levels | — | South African drama series | [10] |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Ayanda | Cameo | Directed by Sara Blecher | [9] |
| 2018 | The Call | Supporting lead | Directed by Zamo Mkhwanazi; won Best International Film at Rapid Lion | [9] |