Wikipedia

Momo Matsunyane

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]

Momo Matsunyane
Born
Kgomotso Matsunyane

(1988-07-30) July 30, 1988 (age 37)
Alma materUniversity of the Witwatersrand
OccupationsTheatre practitioner, playwright, actor, director
Years active2004–present
AwardsStandard Bank Young Artist Award for Theatre (2023); Naledi Theatre Awards for Hlakanyana: The Musical (2023)

Early life and education

edit

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

edit

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

edit
YearTitleRole/PositionVenue/Production CompanyNotesRef
2004Thetha Msawawa 2ActorMarket TheatreEarly professional acting role[6]
2010Animal FarmActorWits TheatreSupporting role in stage adaptation[7]
2015Hlakanyana: The MusicalActor & DirectorMarket TheatreWon multiple Naledi Theatre Awards in 2023[2]
2018Ka Lebitso La MoyaPlaywright & DirectorJohannesburg TheatreWon multiple Naledi Theatre Awards in 2025[8]
2020The CallActorJohannesburg TheatreStage adaptation of film; supporting role[9]
2022LevelsActorMzansi Magic TheatreTelevision and stage hybrid production[10]

Television

edit
YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2004Thetha Msawawa 2—Early drama series[6]
2000s–2020sDream World—TV show appearances[2]
2000s–2020sKuyini Ukwazi—Recurring TV series[2]
2000s–2020sKota Life Crisis—TV show appearances[2]
2000s–2020sMamello—TV series appearances[2]
2000s–2020sKarektas—Sketch comedy series[9]
2025Levels—South African drama series[10]

Film

edit
YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2018AyandaCameoDirected by Sara Blecher[9]
2018The CallSupporting leadDirected by Zamo Mkhwanazi; won Best International Film at Rapid Lion[9]

Awards and recognition

edit
YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef
2023Standard Bank Young Artist AwardsTheatre–Won[11]
Naledi Theatre AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a MusicalHlakanyana: The MusicalWon[2]
Best Production of a MusicalWon[2]
2025Best Director of a PlayKa Lebitso La MoyaWon[8]
Best Production of a PlayWon[12]
Best Original Score/SoundscapeWon[12]
Best Male Lead PerformanceWon[12]
Best Female Lead PerformanceWon[12]

Published works

edit

Matsunyane's first book, Plays by MoMo Matsunyane Volume 1, was released in 2025 and includes three of her acclaimed plays.

References

edit
  1. ↑ "Theatre powerhouse turns author!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Momo Matsunyane makes her mark in theatre industry". Sowetan. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "Witsies with the Edge – Kgomotso Matsunyane" (PDF). University of the Witwatersrand. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  4. ↑ "Momo Matsunyane makes her mark in theatre industry". Sowetan. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "Kgomotso 'MoMo' Matsunyane". Market Theatre. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Kgomotso 'MoMo' Matsunyane – Market Theatre profile". Market Theatre. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  7. ↑ "Momo Matsunyane's theatre journey". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Playwright and director Momo Matsunyane's Ka Lebitso La Moya wins big at the 20th Naledi Theatre Awards". City Press. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "MoMo Matsunyane profile". Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  10. 1 2 "Momo Matsunyane shines in Levels hybrid production". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  11. ↑ "2023 Standard Bank Young Artist Awards winners highlight art's role as a progressive force for growth". Standard Bank. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Ka Lebitso La Moya won six awards at Naledi Theatre Awards". Retrieved 17 January 2026.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Momo_Matsunyane&oldid=1359908408"