Bongile Mantsai

Bongile Mantsai (born 3 February 1982) is a South African actor, theatre practitioner and musical director whose career spans stage, screen and television, and whose work has become a cornerstone of contemporary South African storytelling. Born in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, he grew up in the Kayamandi township and completed his high school education at Kayamandi High School in 1998, an experience that grounded him in the cultural realities of his community and later informed his artistic choices. Facing a language barrier at Stellenbosch University, where most courses were taught in Afrikaans, Mantsai persevered by approaching theatre directors, earning a place in a physical theatre programme that combined language and movement training, and ultimately participating in university productions that launched his professional path. His early theatrical career saw him performing with the Baxter Theatre Centre and serving as artistic director of the Zabalaza Theatre Festival, where he showcased a remarkable range in productions such as Mies Julie, Amaza, Marat/Sade, Karoo Moose and Woyzeck, often taking on the additional responsibility of musical director. Transitioning to film and television, Mantsai achieved critical acclaim for his portrayal of Vija in Inxeba: The Wound (2017), a film that garnered international attention for its bold narrative. He solidified his screen reputation with a leading role as Dudu Nyakama in Knuckle City (2019), earning him the Best Actor award at the 2019 Durban International Film Festival and the 2020 SAFTA Best Actor honor. On television, his complex antagonist Mthunzi Mayiza in Scandal! captured audiences and critics alike, highlighting his ability to embody layered characters. Additional credits include roles in Number Number Jozi Gold (2023), The Republic, and series such as Nkululeko, Gqeberha: The Empire and Blood Psalms. Over the years, Mantsai’s dedication to both performance and direction has been recognized with numerous accolades, including multiple SAFTA awards and the prestigious Naledi Theatre Award for Best Lead Actor, underscoring his influence on South Africa’s vibrant arts scene.