Rags to Riches: From mortuary cleaner to Uzalo actress, the story of Mamadlala ‘Ntombifuthi Dlamini.’
Ntombifuthi Dlamini is a South African actress who plays the role of gossipmonger Gladys Mamadlala on Uzalo. The Mrs Madlala character represents a widow with strong Christian values; she belongs to the KKC church and has a weakness in dating young men known in the modern-day as Ben 10s.
Dressed in three-piece suits, blonde weave or fancy hats, dubbed gossipmongers with friend MaDongwe, she is the reason why Uzalo managed to amass so many viewers.
On Uzalo, she first dated a young man Kehla; the role played by actor Thobani Nzuza when his parents threw him out. Stranded Kehla, whom she referred to as King K, took advantage of lonely MaMadlala and milked her pockets dry. She also had a thing with Sbu after blindly exchanged flirting text messages and recently found love in the hands of Nomgca.
In real life actress, Ntombifuthi Dlamini refuted allegations that she into young men. The happily married mother of one remained mum about her marriage life but revealed that she is different from the Mamadlala character.
“In real life, I am a shy person and not an extreme churchgoer like MaMadlala; the onscreen character is different from who I am; I have a husband and am blessed with two children.”
How did Ntombifuthi Dlamini join the Uzalo as MaMadlala cast?
Ntombifuthi Dlamini – Gladys Mamadlala was a mortuary cleaner at a hospital in Durban KwaZulu-Natal.
In 2014, she auditioned for the Uzalo role when show organizers invaded KwaMashu looking for extras who would act as church members. She impressed Stained Glass Production, who offered her the main cast role in Uzalo season 7.
Ntombifuthi Dlamini stays with her late sister’s children and opens up about financial struggles before landing the Uzalo role.
‘I thank God every day for this on-screen role; I had worked as a cleaner before and was struggling with the upkeep of my family. The company (Stained Glass Production) offered me a role when I wasn’t qualified; I thank God for that.”
Ever since securing a main role on Uzalo, Ntombifuthi Dlamini signed R 35 000 per month contract.
