Somizi Mhlongo was born in Soweto, Gauteng on December 23, 1972, and his exposure to the entertainment world began at a young age. His breakthrough came in 1992 when he appeared in the musical and political film "Sarafina!" which propelled him into the spotlight. Somizi subsequently became a lead choreographer for various shows and events, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Somizi Mhlongo's parents are the late South African veteran actress Mary Twala and the late actor and comedian Ndaba Mhlongo. He had a sibling named Archie, who tragically lost his life due to a stabbing incident in 1985.
During his life, Somizi had a relationship with actress Palesa Madisakwane, with whom he welcomed his first child, Bahumi Madisakwane, on February 19, 1995. However, Somizi later publicly came out as gay, leading to the end of his relationship with Palesa.
He is currently married to Mohale Tebogo Motaung (Married since January 2020) since coming out as gay.
In 2017, rumors surfaced about his romantic involvement with South African model and entrepreneur Mohale Tebogo Motaung. The two confirmed their relationship in 2018 and took it a step further when Somizi proposed to Mohale during their vacation in Paris, France. Their journey continued with a traditional wedding on September 28, 2019, followed by a white wedding on January 30, 2020.
Somizi's career is diverse and includes film, television, choreography, and radio.
In the film and television realm, his acting debut occurred at the age of 13 in the movie "Scavengers" in 1987. His notable appearances encompass the musical film "Sarafina!" in 1992, where he portrayed himself under the nickname "Whacko," as well as roles in films like "Kein Himmel über Afrika" (1993) and "Cry, the Beloved Country" (1995).
He ventured into television with a role in "Tarzan: The Epic Adventures" in 1996 and subsequently became a prominent judge on shows like "Idols South Africa" and "Dance Your Butt Off." He hosted award shows, including the South African Music Awards, and was featured in Comedy Central's roast special.
Somizi's choreography journey began with "Sarafina!" and extended to major events like the FIFA World Cup's opening and closing ceremonies in 2010. He choreographed award shows and worked with the gospel choir Joyous Celebration. He also released a dance workout DVD and created fitness videos on YouTube.
His radio career included co-hosting the Metro FM breakfast show "The Fresh Breakfast Show" and later transitioning to the show "The Bridge."
In essence, Somizi Mhlongo's life and career have been marked by his diverse talents, contributions to the entertainment industry, and his openness about his personal journey. From his early exposure to fame to his achievements as a choreographer, television personality, and radio host, Somizi has left an indelible mark on South African entertainment.
He has been actively engaged in his career since that time, commencing his journey in choreography with the movie "Sarafina!".
Somizi became part of Metro FM's Breakfast Show in April 2017 and eventually transitioned to "The Bridge" after several years. He has taken on roles in numerous films and has gained recognition for his contributions to Gospel and Kwaito music.
While comprehensive details about Somizi's educational background are not available, he shared some insights in a 2014 interview on eTV's The Close Up. He mentioned, "At the age of 7, I attended school for the first year. But after six months, I found it challenging to be away from my parents - I desired to be with them, and I didn't enjoy going to school."
Somizi possesses two residences. One is situated in the renowned Zimbali Coastal Resort & Estate in KZN. Reports suggest that he and his spouse acquired the property for R6 million. They showcased their abode during the lockdown in 2020, revealing its tastefully decorated rooms, a spacious pool, an office space, and more.
Somizi is a father to his daughter, Bahumi, born to him and South African actress Palesa Madisakwane. At the beginning of their relationship, he believed himself to be bisexual. On Kaya FM, he shared, "When Bahumi's mother approached me and expressed her attraction, I informed her that I am bisexual. I didn't confirm being straight, nor did I decline. I conveyed that I have a boyfriend. She then asked, 'So, if you're bisexual, does that mean you date both genders?' I answered yes, as I believed I was bisexual at the time." Upon discovering Palesa's pregnancy, he pledged to be a dedicated father to their daughter.
Though the precise value of Somizi Mhlongo's net worth remains undisclosed, it is widely acknowledged that he is affluent. A report from Celebrity Net Worth suggests a figure of around R74 million ($5 million), but this information has yet to be officially confirmed.
Somizi is wedded to Mohale Tebogo Motaung. The couple cultivated their relationship before formalizing their union. Their traditional wedding transpired in September 2019, while their white wedding took place in January 2020.
Somizi's cookbook, titled "Dinner At Somizi's - I Am Not A Chef," earned distinction as the highest-selling book in the Food & Drink category within South Africa from November 2020 to January 2nd, 2021, according to CNA's audit report.
In 2017, Somizi disclosed intentions to allocate R20 from the sales of each of his 10,000 copies of books to sponsor students' initial year at the University.
Somizi maintains an active presence on various social media platforms. For booking inquiries, correspondence can be directed to info@matuka.co.za.
Somizi owns several expensive whips, including Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon worth R2 million and a R1.7 million BMW i8. Reports state that he sold the BMW to help pay off his SARS debt.
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