From clinic cleaner to soapie opera star: Get to know the story of Ntombifuthi Dlamini
No doubt she got the plug and her unmatched acting skills are just out of this world. Of late she has been making all sorts of headlines because of her stellar performances. Just like many before her she is has a rag to riches story to tell.
Before her thrust into the limelight, she used to do one of the oddest jobs one could choose. She a toilet cleaner before her thrust to showbiz news and blits. Well. blessed are those who see beautiful things in humble places where others see nothing.
The KwaMashu born actress Ntombifuthi Dlamini used to work as a cleaner at a local clinic. With the little, she earned she used to take care of her children and those of her late sister.
Ntombifuthi got the opportunity to act on Uzalo when the producers came searching for extras where she managed to impress. Dlamini has made some strides in her acting career despite not having a much fetched acting background.
Dlamini strides can be likened to those of Koko Mantshase born Lydia Mokgokolosi, she is popular for a role as Katlego’s grandmother on Skeem Saam.
From clinic cleaner to soapie opera star: Get to know the story of Ntombifuthi Dlamini
The award-winning actress pursued her acting career in her late 40’s and has become one of the most appreciated actresses in South Africa. Mokgokoloshi was introduced as a “national treasure” as she received the honorary Lifetime Achievement Award at the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas).
She received the same special honour at Limpopo’s inaugural Film, Arts, Music and Entertainment (Fame) Awards in 2015.
Besides Skeem Saam, she has featured in many television dramas such as Muvhango and Bophelo. Lydia whom some South Africans affectionately know as MmaNkwesheng from the famous SABC 1 conventional Sepedi drama series Bhophela Ke Semphekgo. Mokgokolosi became a household name as a wicked Mma-Nkosheng in the popular Pedi drama Bophelo ke Semphekgo.
After completing her school she went for a teaching training at Mokopane. Koko Mantsha taught for 10 years back home in Limpopo and in 1974 she moved to Soweto where she taught until she retired.
“Growing up it wasn’t rosy for me I grew up in Botlokwa village I attended school at Manhata Tribal School in Joppa. I attended high school at Mokomene. After college, I then furthered my education as I was enrolled at Mokopane where I was an education trainer. I taught me for 10 years in Limpopo before I moved to Soweto In 1974 to pursue my career whish it’s span ended it 1997”.
She is from a family of five. Her favourite movie is Romeo and Juliet and she draws much inspiration from Isidingo.