Somizi Mhlongo is a famous South African actor, choreographer, part-time singer, author, radio and Television personality and entrepreneur who is generally called ‘Somizi’. Mhlongo rose to popularity thanks to his role on Sarafina and Idols SA.
Profile summary
Full name: Somizi Mhlongo
Date of birth: 23 December 1972
Age: 51 years old
Place of birth: Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa
Parents: Ndaba Mhlongo (father), Mary Twala (mother)
Spouse: Mohale Motaung (m. 2019; Sep. 2021)
Net worth:
Somizi Mhlongo’s early life, age
Born on 23 December, Somizi Buyani Mhlongo was born and bred in Johannesburg’s largest township Soweto and will be 51 years old come December 2023.
Thanks to his influential parents, Somizi was exposed to the entertainment industry at a very young age. He starred in many dramas at school before starting professional work at the early age of 13.
What Somizi did at that young age bred a veteran star that is loved by the nation today.
Somizi Mhlongo’s family and parents
He was born to a wonderful and perfect family for one to get the inspiration one need to excel in the entertainment business.
His father is Ndaba Mhlongo, who was a famous comedian and choreographer.
Many fans regarded him as the best choreographer of his generation after his excellent work on Sarafina when he won the Tony Award for Best Choreographer.
Unfortunately, Ndaba passed away the following year after arguably the best year in his career.
His mother is Mary Twala, a veteran actress featured in the first season of South Africa’s longest-serving drama series Generations.
Mary and Ndaba natured Somizi properly and guided him to his debut and most famous appearance on Television in 1988 on Sarafina, the political drama movie.
Somizi Mhlongo’s wife and daughters
The Soweto-born star fell in love with fellow actress Palesa Madisakwane, and the two instantly became a national couple.
They dated for years before marriage and had their daughter Bahumi Madisakwane on 19 February 1995.
Rumour mill says Somizi dated Palesa while in a relationship with an unidentified man.
Pressure mounted on the couple only for Somizi to come out and say that he was bisexual.
This ended his relationship with Palesa, a relationship that most fans believed to be one forged in heaven.
The couple, however, remained close friends and managed to co-parent well.
Somizi Mhlongo and Mohale Motaung’s marriage
After so many years of keeping his love life private, Somizi went public in 2017, saying he was dating Mohale Motaung.
While on holiday in Paris, France, Somizi proposed to Mohale, and the couple got engaged.
The two married in 2019 and had a traditional marriage on 28 September before they held an expensive white wedding a few months later, on 30 January 2020.
The two enjoyed a wonderful marriage, at least to the public eye, before things fell apart in the next year (2021).
Things started to happen, and Mohale decided to go separate ways with Somizi.
After their divorce, many stories came out with Mohale accusing Somizi of physical and emotional abuse.
Somizi decided to keep his mouth shut, and since then, he has not gone public about his love life.
Somizi Mhlongo’s acting career (Film and Television)
In 1987, a 13-year-old boy was featured in a film called Scavengers, which was the start of Somizi’s remarkable career.
A few years later, in 1992, he appeared in a famous political film Sarafina doing choreography and instantly drew everyone’s attention across the county.
The following year he appeared in yet another film Kein Himmel Uber Afrika, before his appearance on Beloved Country in 1995. All this was Somizi’s appearance whilst a minor.
A few years later, he appeared on the television series Tarzan: The Epic Adventures in 1996.
He was also a lead judge on the former SABC 1 competition show Dance Your Butt Off alongside actress and dancer Khabonina Qubeka.
In 2016, Mhlongo premiered his reality show Living the Dream with Somizi, which aired on Mzansi Magic.
Other TV credits include City Ses’la, Ayeye and 10 Over 10.
Mhlongo hosted various award shows, notably the South African Music Awards he co-hosted for three consecutive years (2016, 2017 and 2018).
On 26 April 2018, Mhlongo was the featured roastee in Comedy Central’s annual roast special.
He co-hosted KZN Entertainment Awards on 15 December 2020 with Pearl Thusi
Somizi Mhlongo’s Choreography career.
Arguably one of the best in the country, Somizi produced five-star choreography at the 2010 FIFA World Cup opening and closing ceremonies.
He also played a part in many famous shows and musical groups throughout his career.
Mhlongo choreographed various award shows and events, including Miss South Africa, Metro FM Music Awards, South African Music Awards and the Channel O Music Video Awards.
He also danced and was a choreographer for the gospel choir Joyous Celebration.
In 2017, Mhlongo released the dance workout DVD Grind! With Somizi, which was available at Verimark.
The workout choreography had many elements of South African dance moves.
Mhlongo also did several YouTube workout videos under Kwaitone Dance Fitness with Somizi.
Somizi Mhlongo Idols SA, scandals, Unathi Nkayi
2011 Somizi joined the Idols SA judges panel alongside veteran judges Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi.
His appointment looked to be the best thing the management did as fans fell in love with Somizi in his first season.
For some years, he established his name until speaking about Idols SA without mentioning Somizi was impossible.
Things, however, came to a halt as he clashed with fellow judge Unathi Nkayi both on the stage and behind the scenes.
The management had to choose as Abrahams retired, they fired Unathi and newcomers JR, and Thembi Seete joined Somizi, now the most experienced judge of the panel since season 18.
Somizi Mhlongo cars. Houses, net worth
Undoubtedly one of the wealthiest socialites in South Africa, Somizi owns a fleet of expensive luxurious cars. Below are a few of his top cars
- Range Rover Sport- valued at R2.9 million
- Rolls Royce Phantom and Rolls Royce Wraith- valued at R3.5 million and R5 million
- Jeep Wrangler and Lamborghini Urus -valued at R999 900 and R4.4 million
- Mercedes Benzs and BMW i8
The Idols SA judge owns several houses across Mzansi, as listed below.
- Golf Estate, Dainfern in Gauteng
- Fourways, Gauteng
- Soweto, Gauteng
- Parys, Free State
- Zimbali Coastal Resort & Estate – KwaZulu-Natal
Combining all his assets as of 2023, Somizi Mhlongo’s net worth is currently valued at R150 million.
Somizi Mhlongo’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok)
