Momo Matsunyane
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| Momo Matsunyane | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kgomotso Matsunyane July 30, 1988 |
| 🏫 Education | University of the Witwatersrand |
| 💼 Occupation | Theatre practitioner, playwright, actor, director |
| 📆 Years active | 2004–present |
| 🏅 Awards | Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Theatre (2023); Naledi Theatre Awards for Hlakanyana: The Musical (2023) |
Kgomotso “MoMo” Matsunyane is a South African theatre practitioner, playwright, actress, and director. She is best known for her work in contemporary South African theatre and for receiving the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Theatre in 2023.[1]
Early life and education
Matsunyane was born into a family involved in the performing arts and began acting as a child. She is the daughter of Neo Matsunyane, a director and actor, and was named after her aunt, radio and television personality Kgomotso Matsunyane.[2]
She earned an Honours degree in Dramatic Arts from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2012, majoring in performance, film, and television.[3]
Career
Matsunyane has worked professionally in theatre since 2004. She has performed in numerous stage productions, films, and television shows, and has been recognised with multiple awards and nominations. Her credits include major productions such as Hlakanyana: The Musical, which won multiple Naledi Theatre Awards in 2023.[4][5]
Her work has been featured at major festivals and venues in South Africa, and she has directed and written plays that explore social and cultural themes. Matsunyane also served as festival director for the Zwakala Festival and continues to mentor emerging theatre artists.
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role/Position | Venue/Production Company | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Thetha Msawawa 2 | Actor | Market Theatre | Early professional acting role | [6] |
| 2010 | Animal Farm | Actor | Wits Theatre | Supporting role in stage adaptation | [7] |
| 2015 | Hlakanyana: The Musical | Actor & Director | Market Theatre | Won multiple Naledi Theatre Awards in 2023 | [2] |
| 2018 | Ka Lebitso La Moya | Playwright & Director | Johannesburg Theatre | Won multiple Naledi Theatre Awards in 2025 | [8] |
| 2020 | The Call | Actor | Johannesburg Theatre | Stage adaptation of film; supporting role | [9] |
| 2022 | Levels | Actor | Mzansi Magic Theatre | Television and stage hybrid production | [10] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Thetha Msawawa 2 | — | Early drama series | [6] |
| 2000s–2020s | Dream World | — | TV show appearances | [2] |
| 2000s–2020s | Kuyini Ukwazi | — | Recurring TV series | [2] |
| 2000s–2020s | Kota Life Crisis | — | TV show appearances | [2] |
| 2000s–2020s | Mamello | — | TV series appearances | [2] |
| 2000s–2020s | Karektas | — | Sketch comedy series | [9] |
| 2025 | Levels | — | South African drama series | [10] |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Ayanda | Cameo | Directed by Sara Blecher | [9] |
| 2018 | The Call | Supporting lead | Directed by Zamo Mkhwanazi; won Best International Film at Rapid Lion | [9] |
Awards and recognition
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Standard Bank Young Artist Awards | Theatre | – | Won | [11] |
| Naledi Theatre Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Musical | Hlakanyana: The Musical | Won | [2] | |
| Best Production of a Musical | Won | [2] | |||
| 2025 | Best Director of a Play | Ka Lebitso La Moya | Won | [8] | |
| Best Production of a Play | Won | [12] | |||
| Best Original Score/Soundscape | Won | [12] | |||
| Best Male Lead Performance | Won | [12] | |||
| Best Female Lead Performance | Won | [12] |
Published works
Matsunyane's first book, Plays by MoMo Matsunyane Volume 1, was released in 2025 and includes three of her acclaimed plays.
References
- ↑ "Theatre powerhouse turns author!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Momo Matsunyane makes her mark in theatre industry". Sowetan. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ↑ "Witsies with the Edge – Kgomotso Matsunyane" (PDF). University of the Witwatersrand. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ↑ "Momo Matsunyane makes her mark in theatre industry". Sowetan. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ↑ "Kgomotso 'MoMo' Matsunyane". Market Theatre. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Kgomotso 'MoMo' Matsunyane – Market Theatre profile". Market Theatre. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ↑ "Momo Matsunyane's theatre journey". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Playwright and director Momo Matsunyane's Ka Lebitso La Moya wins big at the 20th Naledi Theatre Awards". City Press. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "MoMo Matsunyane profile". Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Momo Matsunyane shines in Levels hybrid production". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ↑ "2023 Standard Bank Young Artist Awards winners highlight art's role as a progressive force for growth". Standard Bank. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 "Ka Lebitso La Moya won six awards at Naledi Theatre Awards". Retrieved 2026-01-17.
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