Samela Tyelbooi is a 42 year-old South African actress born on May 4th, 1981. Samela, who is known for her roles as Lois Gumede in Society and Ayanda in Generations: The Legacy, is married and has three daughters.
Though Samela Tyelbooi studied Information Technology at Port Elizabeth Technikon, she didn’t hesitate to grab an acting role when she was offered one. Since then, she has gone ahead to carve out a thriving acting career. Not only is she widely recognized for her role as Lois Gumede in Society (2007-2010), but she has left a mark with her portrayal of Ayanda Majola in Generations: The Legacy. She has further starred in Rhythm City and Room 9.
Samela Tyelbooi’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Samela Tyelbooi
- Nickname: Sammy
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: May 4th, 1981
- Samela Tyelbooi’s Age: 42 years old
- Ethnicity: Black
- Nationality: South African
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christian
- Marital Status: Married
- Samela Tyelbooi’s Children: 3 daughters
- Siblings: 1 brother
- Samela Tyelbooi’s Height in Inches: 5 feet 0 inch
- Samela Tyelbooi’s Height in Centimetres: 153 cm
- Samela Tyelbooi’s Net worth: $500,000
- Famous for: Her role as Ayanda Majola in Generations: The Legacy
- Samela Tyelbooi’s Instagram: @samelatyelbooi
- Twitter: @SamelaTyelbooi
- Facebook: @SamelaTyelbooi
Samela Tyelbooi’s Age and Date of Birth
Samela Tyelbooi’s age is 42 years in 2024. She was born on May 4th, 1981. At the age of 25, Samela got her first acting role, and today, her remarkable craft has been recognized with accolades, including the Idyllwind International Festival of Cinema Award for Best Actress Feature Film (Losing Lerato).
Where is Samela Tyelbooi From?
Samela Tyelbooi was born in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province. She then spent her childhood in Newtown, Grahamstown, but later relocated to Roberts Street near Kingswood College. Hence, she had both township and suburban childhood experiences.
Samela Tyelbooi’s Educational Qualifications
Samela Tyelbooi holds a BTech degree in Information Technology. She had her tertiary education at Port Elizabeth Technikon (now Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University). She obtained her Matric at Victoria Girls’ High School and attended George Dickerson Primary School for her primary education.
Samela Tyelbooi’s Family
Samela Tyelbooi’s parents are not known, but she has cited them as the driving force behind her success. While growing up, she learned priceless life lessons from her parents. She is grateful to them for their support in her choice of career.
The actress also has an older brother whom she is very close with. He knows everything about her and made her childhood years quite memorable.
In 2006, Samela Tyelbooi Made Her Acting Debut
In 2006, Samela Tyelbooi moved to Johannesburg to put her education to good use. However, four months after her relocation, a friend of hers told her about an audition, and knowing that she had always wanted to be a performer, she went for the audition and got a cameo role in Generations. Then, from 2007 to 2010, she played Lois Gumede in the SABC1 series Society.
It was her first major role, and her outstanding performance catapulted her to stardom. In 2011, Samela Tyelbooi was cast as Ntosh in Intsika. She also portrayed the character of a struggling singer/songwriter in Rhythm City in 2012. She then guest starred in the SABC series Room 9 the next year.
Furthermore, she had a role in It’s Complicated in 2015. Subsequently, she featured in three films: Losing Lerato (2019), Rage of a Lioness (2020), and Pride of a Lioness (2022).
Samela Tyelbooi’s Most Prominent Role as Ayanda in Generations: The Legacy
In late 2018, Samela Tyelbooi joined the cast of Generations: The Legacy. She debuted as Ayanda Majola – a tough publishing entrepreneur who is very determined to succeed in the boardroom. After her business crumbled, she went back to the university and studied Analytics, Information Technology, and Programming. She got back into business with new partners after moving to Johannesburg.
Ayanda is also Tau’s (Rapulana Seiphemo) former girlfriend and is still upset with him for leaving her for Karabo (Connie Ferguson). Tyelbooi has been on the popular soapie for over five years and has emerged as one of Generations: The Legacy‘s favorite characters.
Does Samela Tyelbooi Have a Husband?
Yes, Samela Tyelbooi is married, but the identity of her husband has been kept under wraps. Though she keeps her marital life secret, Samela revealed in a tweet she made on May 25th, 2022, that her husband has the habit of replying only to her last text anytime she sends him bulky text messages.
It’s unclear when the 42-year-old actress tied the knot and how long she has been married. Nonetheless, she seems to be relishing a blissful marital life.
Samela Tyelbooi’s Children
Samela Tyelbooi has three daughters. She had her first child in 1999, and she is currently 25 years old. She then appeared on the cover of Mamas & Papas Magazine with a baby bump in July 2019. She delivered her second daughter, who is now 4years old, the same month, on July 8th precisely. Later, in July 2020, Samela gave birth to her third child, who is now 3 years old.
