Mothusi Magano

Mothusi Magano was born on 26 March 1979 in the modest village of Phokeng on the outskirts of Rustenburg, North West Province, South Africa. At the age of five his family relocated to Mafikeng, where his fascination with performance began to surface. He cut his teeth at the Mmabana Cultural Centre, starring in the pantomime A Dragon For Dinner, before enrolling at the Wits School of Dramatic Art in 1998. During his first year he secured roles in two demanding stage productions—Death and the Maiden and Little Shop of Horrors—showcasing a versatility that would become his trademark. By 2003 he was cast as Harry Lime in a friend’s adaptation of The Third Man, and shortly thereafter made his cinematic debut in the indie film Gums and Noses, which paved the way for appearances in internationally recognised works such as Hotel Rwanda and the Oscar‑winning Tsotsi. In 2006 Magano landed his first major television lead as Charles “Mingus” Khathi in the SABC3 drama The Lab, a role he sustained for three successful seasons. He continued to diversify his portfolio with guest spots on series like Intersexions and 90 Plein Street, before earning a second lead in Tempy Pushas (2013). That same year he entered the world of soap operas as the enigmatic “Dustbin Man” on Scandal!, a performance that contributed to his Best Actor win at the 2014 SAFTAs for Of Good Report. Subsequent projects include the cunning journalist Maxwell in Hustle (2016‑2017), a turn in the sports drama Keeping Score, and a notable nomination for his role as Phaks in Emonyeni: Nsanguluko (2019). Most recently he joined the cast of the beloved soap Skeem Saam, confirming his status as one of South Africa’s most dynamic and enduring actors.