Simphiwe Ngema; Biography, age, parents,husband, children, sisters, awards.

Simphiwe Ngema (born 29 August 1989) is a South African actress, MC, singer, and television presenter. She used to dance in the church and mimic television personalities at home.

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Simphiwe Ngema says that she always knew she wanted to be an entertainer. Her first audition was for a stage play of The Lion King. Unfortunately, she did not land the role. She is also related to the late theatre producer Mbongeni Ngema, who was her father’s uncle.

Early life

Simphiwe was born on 29 August 1989 in Klipspruit, Soweto, Johannesburg. She was raised in Zuurbekom, Gauteng. Her parents are Given and Ethel Ngema. She has two sisters, Boxolile and Ziph’ezinhle

Name	Simphiwe Ngema
Age	29 August 1989 (36 years old)
Birth Place	Klipspruit, Soweto, Johannesburg
Parents	Given Ngema (father) Ethel Ngema (mother)
Husband	Dumi Masilela
Children	2
Alma Mater	Boston Media House(Journalism)
Occupation	Actress, singer, television personality
Nationality	South African

Education

Ngema had her early education at the Chinese Kuo Ting School in Sandton, Johannesburg. She also did her high school studies there. Later on, she pursued journalism at the Boston Media House and graduated with a Diploma in 2010.

Career

She was a part of The Game, a play written and produced by Duma Ndlovu in 2008. She made her debut as Dudu in the e.tv telenovela Broken Vows on 1 January 2018. She appeared in the play alongside some of the biggest names in the industry, like Leleti Khumalo, Sindi Dlathu, Londiwe Mthembu, Luciya Mthiyane, and Mary Twala.

She worked as a journalist and motivational speaker. In 2017, she became a part of the reality show Preachers’ Kids. She was also a presenter of the cultural show Isiko in November 2015. She travelled to meet traditional leaders and community members around South Africa.

On 28 April 2014, Simphiwe presented the 20th South African Music Awards (SAMAs) on SABC1.

In 2011, the producer of The Game, Duma Ndlovu, handed Simphiwe her television debut. He cast Simphiwe in his show Muvhango on SABC, where she played Thuli Nkosi. She also played Buhle in the Mzansi Magic soap opera The Queen and Phindile in the SABC3 soap opera Isidingo.

In 2020, Simphiwe entered the ninth season of the reality competition series Tropika Island of Treasure as a contestant. She portrayed music producer Ruth in the SABC2 drama series Bone of My Bones.

She played Thandeka in the 2024 romantic comedy Forever Yena and Louise in the 2025 comedy film Cop & a Half. She portrayed Zanele, a woman from a poor family who wins the Lotto, in the Showmax film The Winning Ticket.

Simphiwe is also a singer and songwriter. She released her late husband’s album, Eternal Crush, in 2018, after his death. She is the ambassador for skincare brand Saint SKN.

Simphiwe owns the business SWR (Still We Rise Trading) with her sister.

Personal Life

Simphiwe married her late husband, Dumi Masilela, in a traditional ceremony in May 2017. He tragically passed away on 3 August 2017 during an attempted hijacking.

She started dating actor Tino Chinyani in 2019. They have two lovely children, Tiyani Kemorena Michael Chinyani, and Kaboentle Tinotenda Chinyani.