Momo Matsunyane

Momo Matsunyane
Born
Kgomotso Matsunyane

(1988-07-30) July 30, 1988
Alma materUniversity of the Witwatersrand
OccupationsTheatre practitioner, playwright, actor, director
Years active2004–present
AwardsStandard 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, actor, 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

  1. ^ "Theatre powerhouse turns author!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Momo Matsunyane makes her mark in theatre industry". Sowetan. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Witsies with the Edge – Kgomotso Matsunyane" (PDF). University of the Witwatersrand. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Momo Matsunyane makes her mark in theatre industry". Sowetan. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Kgomotso 'MoMo' Matsunyane". Market Theatre. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  6. ^ a b "Kgomotso 'MoMo' Matsunyane – Market Theatre profile". Market Theatre. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Momo Matsunyane's theatre journey". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  8. ^ a b "Playwright and director Momo Matsunyane's Ka Lebitso La Moya wins big at the 20th Naledi Theatre Awards". City Press. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  9. ^ a b c d "MoMo Matsunyane profile". Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  10. ^ a b "Momo Matsunyane shines in Levels hybrid production". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  11. ^ "2023 Standard Bank Young Artist Awards winners highlight art's role as a progressive force for growth". Standard Bank. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  12. ^ a b c d "Ka Lebitso La Moya won six awards at Naledi Theatre Awards". Retrieved 17 January 2026.
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