Mlangeni Nawa is a veteran award-winning South African actor famous for his appearance as Zebedee on Isidingo. He starred in Isidingo from 1998 to 2014 before appearing in most of The Ferguson Films productions such as the Throne, Rockville and The River. Let’s find out more about the Don in the Mlangeni Nawa biography.
Mlangeni Nawa Profile Summary
Real Name: Mlangeni Eric Nawa
Gender: Male
Date of birth: 7 July 1959
Place of birth: Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa
Age: 59 Years
Ethnicity: Black
Nationality: South African
Occupation: Actor,
TV Shows: Isidingo, Rockville, The River
Instagram: @donmlangeni
Where is Don Mlangeni originally from?
Like most South African stars, Mlangeni Nawa was born and bred in Soweto, in the Gauteng province of South Africa. He hails from the city of talent where other celebrities such as Presley Chwenegae and TK Zee came from. After spending many decades in Soweto, he moved to Cape Town, where he currently resides.
When did Mlangeni Nawa get a breakthrough?
Mlangeni Nawa started acting in theatre plays till he was cast in the SABC 1 Zulu drama ‘Hlala Kwabafileyo’ in 1993. He moved on to star in Cycle Simenon in 1995 before he landed his most significant role of playing Zebedee Matabane in Isidingo in 1998.
Which TV shows have Don Mlangeni featured in?
Mlangeni has made several appearances on the big screens, and some of them are as follows;
- Halla Kwabafileyo as Zakhe
- Cycle Simenon as Barman
- Isidingo as Zebedee Matabane
- 4. Sgudi’ Snaysi – Season 1- 5 as Laqhasha
- Stokvel – Season 3 as Laquashe
- The Republic – Season 1 as Bhambatha
- The River – Season 1 as Thato
- The Throne – Season 1 as Prince Moseki Kwena
- Uzalo – Season 1 as Dhlomo
- Uzalo – Season 2 as Dhlomo
- Zaziwa – Season 1 as Himself
- Abomama – Season 1 as Mfundisi
- Losing Lerato
Why was Mlangeni Nawa fired from Isidingo?
Don Mlangeni Nawa was fired from Isidingo in 2014 after deliberately refusing to endorse a Bank in several episodes. Endemol, the staffing agency for Isidingo, had scripted the lines for endorsement of the bank, but Mlangeni omitted the lines. In his response, Mlangeni Nawa felt that he was supposed to be given an endorsement deal with the bank because endorsing it for a monthly salary was not professional. However, the Endemol bosses refused to offer him the value and claimed that he had been arrogant several times, so they had to cut him off. After a disciplinary hearing was conducted based on indiscipline, the determination came in favour of the employer and Mlangeni was fired.
Who is Don Mlangeni’s wife?
The real name of Mlangeni Nawa’s wife is unknown. However, it is known that he is a father of five adults and a grandfather to three children. Although he has made a name for himself in showbiz, he remains a family man and humble father.
The River
In the award-winning Telenovela, ‘The River’, Don Mlangeni portrays the character of Thato Mokoena, a rival of Lindiwe. He stars as Thato and Itumeleng’s dad. In the Telenovela, Mlangeni Nawa is also Moshidi Motshegwa’s husband. Thato exited the River after being murdered by Lindiwe.
WATCH: LINDIWE takes out Thato – THE RIVER – – 1 Magic
Mlangeni Nawa Awards
1. Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Royalty Soapie Awards
2. SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Actor in a TV Soap (2007) nomination
3. SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Actor in a TV Soap (2010) nomination
What is Mlangeni Nawa’s Net worth?
As of 2020, Don Mlangeni has a Net Worth of an estimated R1 – 2 Million. He has been in the television and film industry for almost three decades and has amassed wealth for himself. Mlangeni earns money mainly from his acting career.