Hope Mbhele (born on April 5th, 1996) is a 28 year-old actress, radio/TV personality, and entrepreneur who is best known for playing MaBusi in the Mzansi Magic drama series, Umkhokha. The KwaZulu-Natal native is unmarried and reportedly not in a relationship.
Still in her mid-20s, Hope has made remarkable achievements at her age. Having come from an entrepreneurial family, the up-and-coming actress doubles as a taxi boss with about four taxis under her possession. She is presently associated with Metro FM and SABC1 as a presenter and has scored roles in popular TV series such as Uzalo.
Hope Mbhele’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Hope Mbhele
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: April 5th, 1996
- Hope Mbhele’s Age: 28 years old
- Ethnicity: Black
- Place of Birth: Umthwalume, in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal
- Nationality: South African
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christian
- Marital Status: Single
- Hope Mbhele’s Parents: Sissy Dlamini (mother)
- Siblings: 3
- Hope Mbhele’s Height in Inches: 5 feet 4.9 inches
- Hope Mbhele’s Height in Centimetres: 165 cm
- Hope Mbhele’s Weight: 57 kg
- Hope Mbhele’s Net worth: $500,000
- Famous for: Playing the role of MaBusi in Umkhokha and hosting shows on Gagadi FM
- Hope Mbhele’s Instagram: @hope_mbhele
- Twitter: @hope_mbhele
- Facebook: @HopeMbhele
How Old is Hope Mbhele?
Hope Mbhele, who is famously known as MaBusi from Umkhokha, is 28 years old. She was born and bred in the small seaside village of Umthwalume in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal. Hope’s birthdate is April 5th, 1996. Born into a family of six, the radio presenter is the only daughter of her parents.
She has three younger siblings, all boys. She was groomed to be religious-oriented and equally culturally inclined. As a result, she took part in the Royal Reed dance as a young girl. This helped her to perfectly relate to her breakout role of Busisiwe in Umkhokha.
Hope Mbhele’s Education
From 2003 to 2013, the KwaZulu-Natal native had her primary school education at Hibberdene Academy. She, afterward, obtained her matric and then enrolled at Rose Bank College, where she acquired a certificate in Business Studies. Hailing from an entrepreneurial family, the certificate is very important to the actress.
However, after realizing her flair for acting, Hope Mbhele decided to perfect her craft by enrolling at Star Quality Performing Arts College. She subsequently kickstarted her acting career in the year 2016 at the age of 20.
Hope Mbhele’s Mother Influenced Her Career in Entertainment
As part of her school work, Mbhele started shadowing at Ukhozi FM while in Grade 12. She developed an interest in radio presenting after years of listening to her mother, Sissy Dlamini, host shows on Radio Sunny South in Port Shepstone. Following in her mother’s footsteps, the Uzalo actress now works as a radio and TV presenter.
Additionally, she has cited her mother as a major influence in her business career choice. While growing up, Hope Mbhele was managing her mum’s taxi business called Beauty Queen Taxis. After years of experience in the business, she decided to set up her own venture and now has about four taxis to her name.
Hope Mbhele’s Career Breakthrough Came at the Age of 25
In the year 2021, when Hope Mbhele was 25 years old, she landed her big break in the entertainment industry. Not only did she clinch her breakout role of Busisiwe (MaBusi) in Umkhoha, but also got her first TV presenting job. She joined the cast of the Mzansi Magic faith-based series, Umkhokha as a lead character in September 2021.
Her stellar performance on the show then ensured that her character became one of the audience’s favorites. In Umkhokha, Hope plays the role of a medical doctor who’s arranged to marry a church leader, Sphamadla (Nay Maps). Her character, MaBusi, is a complicated person as she is not only faced with her work as a medical practitioner but her duties as the wife of a church leader.
The Durban-based actress featured in the series alongside Deli Malinga, Sthandiwe Msomi, and Mbuso Khoza. In that same 2021, she starred opposite Thembi Mtshali-Jones in Minnie Dlamini‘s film Goodbye Gogo on Showmax. Furthermore, in December 2021, the 28 years old was announced as the new presenter of the SABC1 music show, Issa Vibe, co-hosting with MacG.
From Extras to Playing a Lead in Uzalo
At the age of 20, in 2016, Hope Mbhele made her TV debut as an extra in Uzalo. Fate later smiled on her in April 2022 when she was called to join the cast of the popular series again, but now as a lead character— Amahle Sishi. Prior to that, the rising star led the cast of another Minnie Dlamini’s film, No Love Lost, which premiered on February 14th, 2022.
Sharing screen space with Pallance Dladla, Zola Nombona, and Mampho Brescia, Mbhele was cast in the lead role of Amahle in the romantic film. She played Dumisani’s (Lungile Radu) love interest in No Love Lost.
Hope Mbhele’s Movies and TV Shows
TV Shows
- Uzalo as Amahle Sishi
- Umkhokha as Busisiwe/MaBusi Gumede
Films
- Goodbye Gogo (2021) as Gugu Dlamini
- No Love Lost (2022) as Amahle
Radio/TV Presenting Gigs
Although gradually emerging as a silver-screen goddess, Hope Mbhele has cited that radio is her first love. She got inclined to the airwaves as a kid as she used to spend time with her mum at the KZN radio station, where she worked as a presenter and DJ. After shadowing at Ukhozi FM during her grade 12, the entrepreneur landed her first professional radio presenting job at the age of 21, in the year 2017.
She joined Gagasi FM as a social media person for an afternoon drive show hosted by DJ Sphectacula and DJ Naves. She later rose through the ranks, from stand-in presenter to becoming the host of Sunday Chill Zone and Breakfast Gang Gang on the radio station. Later in December 2021, Hope Mbhele started co-hosting the SABC music show Issa Vibe.
She then attained another career milestone when was announced as the new Metro FM presenter in April 2022. Hence, she left her role at Gagasi FM. Along with Siya Mhlongo, she co-hosts a radio programme on Saturdays and Sundays from 3 AM to 6 AM on Metro FM.
Is Hope Mbhele a Singer?
Yes. In 2021, Hope Mbhele was featured in DJ Sphectacula and DJ Naves’ single, ‘Ngeke’. Prince Bulo, Beast, and Leehleza were also featured in the song. Even though Mbhele is yet to drop her own single, she has been into songwriting for years. Additionally, She has launched a number of projects in the media in the last few years.
She not only runs a sports podcast on Youtube but owns an online magazine called Youff Magazine, which aims to empower young people.
Hope Mbhele’s Awards/Nominations
Having encountered unprecedented success in her career in 2021, Mbhele has bagged the following award nominations:
- 2022 Sebenza Women Award for Women in Media
- 2022 Multichoice Viewers Choice Award for Favourite Rising Star
Who is Hope Mbhele’s Husband?
Presently, Hope Mbhele doesn’t have a husband, and it’s yet unknown if she has a man in her life. She has successfully kept her love life private. As a result, the Metro FM presenter is believed to be single. Following her on-screen chemistry with her Umkhokha co-star, Nay Maps, it was rumored that Hope Mbhele briefly dated the actor in real life.