Clementine Mosimane (born on January 24th, 1965) is a 59 year-old) veteran South African actress and TV personality best known for playing the role of Thandi Mazwai in Soul City from 1994 to 2003. She is reportedly married, and her union is blessed with two children.
While in high school, Clementine auditioned for a role in a children’s program and eventually landed a TV presenting gig. Since then, she has grown in the industry to become a household name in the country. As one of the first set of Black South African female actors, the actress has racked up more than fifty acting credits. She has achieved a successful career in acting spanning over four decades.
Clementine Mosimane’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Clementine Mosimane
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: January 24th, 1965
- Clementine Mosimane’s Age: 59 years old
- Place of Birth: Orlando East, Soweto, South Africa
- Ethnicity: Black
- Nationality: South African
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christian
- Marital Status: Married
- Clementine Mosimane’s Children: Two
- Clementine Mosimane’s Parents: Moroe Mosimane (father) and Sophie Mosimane (Mother)
- Clementine Mosimane’s Net worth: $1 million+
- Famous for: Her role as Thandi Mazwai in Soul City and as Poppie in Poppie Nongena
- Clementine Mosimane’s Instagram: @clementine_mosimane
- Twitter: @ClemyMosimane
- Facebook: @ClementineMosimane
How Old is Clementine Mosimane?
Clementine Mosimane, who is popularly known as Thandi from Soul City, is 59 years old. In 1965, in Orlando East, Soweto, the actress was born to her parents, Moroe and Sophie Mosimane. She celebrates her birthday on January 24th.
Alongside her two younger brothers, Clementine grew up in Soweto when political strife and racial violence were on the increase in South Africa.
Growing up in Soweto was fun and memorable for the TV personality. There in the city, she had neighbors from different South African tribes. By interacting with the kids in her neighborhood, she was able to learn diverse South African languages.
As a result, Clementine Mosimane is multilingual, speaking Afrikaans, Setswana, isiZulu, and SeSotho. She learned how to speak the Zulu language at school, as it was the prevalent language spoken in schools at the time.
Who are Clementine Mosimane Family Members?
Clementine Mosimane was born into a family of five. She has two younger siblings. Her mother Sophie worked as a journalist, while her father, Moroe, was a photographer. They both worked for The World newspaper, originally known as The Bantu World.
Sadly, in 1977, the historic publication was banned after releasing a statement for publishing Sam Nzima’s iconic picture of Hector Peterson.
With her parents being engrossed in their white-collar jobs, the actress and her siblings were mostly looked after by their grandmother, Sally Tema. Thus, she had a strict and proper upbringing under her grandmother and mother. Having been raised by powerful and passionate women, the former Estate actress proudly espouses an ethos of commitment and responsibility.
The Actress’ Career in Entertainment Took Off at The Age of Fourteen
When growing up, the Soul City star desired to be a medical doctor. It was a noble profession at the time, defined by prevalent discrimination and violence being openly sanctioned by the state. However, she was accustomed to watching television, and its educational didactic learning shaped her career choice.
At the age of fourteen, in 1979, Clementine Mosimane was approached to audition for Tsa Ba Tsha, a youth magazine program on SABC1, after being a contestant in a singing competition. She became an ideal candidate for the role as a result of her fluency in South African languages. She bagged the role of the show’s presenter and thrived in linguistics.
— Clementine Mosimane (@LadyClemza) September 5, 2016
This hugely emphasized the mandate of the broadcasters to take great pride in programming in African languages. With Tsa Ba Tsha serving as a career guide, Mosimane was regularly on set interviewing people who played significant roles in the community, mostly professionals. They included doctors, teachers, fashion designers, pastors, and entrepreneurs. The show sprung her to the limelight at such a tender age.
During such time, Clementine Mosimane also plied her trade in puppeteering. It happened that she initially landed a TV presenting role in the children’s program Ha Re Bapaleng but was asked to lend the voice of a chicken in a puppet show. As the person who had the role was too big to fit into the desk for the puppet, Clementine Mosimane’s then-petite stature became a plus for her at that point.
Following her voice-over role, she was properly trained in the field. She attended a puppetry school that prepared her on modulating her performance sensibilities. This included how to use her voice and equally handle the puppet whilst reading the script. Mosimane lent the voice of chicken in the educational program for five years, and her performance was critically acclaimed.
Clementine Landed Her Breakout Role in Her Late 20s
The Legends #20YearsOfSoulCity pic.twitter.com/08sdWkT0DO
— Soul City_It's Real (@SoulCityItsReal) December 4, 2014
Having been present in the entertainment sphere as a TV presenter and voice-over artist since her teen years, the dexterous actress had her career breakthrough in her 20s with the movie titled, Hlakansuki. She played a lead role in the production, which follows the story of a woman whose husband engages in an extramarital affair and then abandons her while she was pregnant with their third child.
Navigating the intense emotions associated with her role was a tremendous task for the actress. Thankfully, she was able to put up a remarkable performance with the help of the film director, Lawrence Lawrie, who was openly apologetic about the emotional turmoil Clementine was subjected to by the role.
Happy Monday, Soul Cityzens! Come celebrate Soul City's 20 Year Anniversary with us this coming Thursday —-> pic.twitter.com/DVQjDz2Rj4
— Soul City_It's Real (@SoulCityItsReal) December 1, 2014
Then at the age of 29, in the year 1994, the Soweto-born bagged another role that gave her career much-needed exposure that contributed to her successful journey so far in the movie industry. She played the starring role of Thandi Mazwai in the SABC1 drama series Soul City. She made her debut in the same year the TV drama series was launched.
Soul City was a part of a multimedia health promotion and social change project by the Soul City Institute for Health and Development Communication (SC IHDC). With Mosimane doing justice to her character in the renowned television true classic for close to a decade (1994-2003), she transitioned into a TV star. To date, the 59 years old has remained relevant in the industry.
As a strong and devoted Christian woman, Clementine Mosimane often chooses carefully the role she plays. She credits God for iconic artistic displays over the decades as she keeps refining her skills with each passing year.
At Aged 48, Clementine Mosimane Played a Nasty Role For The First Time in Her CareerÂ
Mosimane was handed the role of Celia Motlasi in Rhythm City in September 2013 when she was 48 years old. She moved on to cement her status as an A-list actress with her outstanding performance in the e.tv original production as she deviated from her celebrated nurturing maternal roles for the first time in her career. The deft actress was featured in the series as a control freak who derives joy in the downfall of others.
Her character, Celia, was an unhappy woman who, instead of dealing with her emotions, unleashes them on others. Clementine Mosimane starred alongside Mduduzi Mabaso, Jesse Suntele, Tebogo Khalo, and Mncedisi Shabangu in Rhythm City. The South African musical drama series told the story of the trials and tribulations of those trying to break into the music industry.
Still, in her 40s, the Legacy actress progressed her career with a starring role of Mama Rose in the TV series, The Wild. She also played Katy in the 2010 movie, Liefling. Even though she doesn’t have professional training in drama, Mosimane’s years in the industry have helped refine her art. Thus, enabling her to carve out a niche for herself in the star-studded acting industry.
At 59, the Actress Has Featured in Over 50 Movies and TV Shows
There’s no denying that Clementine Mosimane has successfully juggled her career as a TV presenter and actress in the past years. Having shown tremendous versatility in her crafts, it’s not surprising that the 59 years old has achieved a rich portfolio of over 50 acting credits to her name.
Between 1994 and 2001, Mosimane had several TV roles. She portrayed the character of Maria Pathudi in Order Draai die Duiwei Rond, Mmakgosi in Isidingo, Zaza Sithole in Yizo Yizo, and Busi in Chikins Biznis…The Whole Story! She additionally appeared as Marie in the 2001 movie, The Long Run.
Later in the 2010s, while in her late 40s and early 50s, the eminent actress was part of the cast of several productions, including feature-length films. From 2016 to 2019, she was featured in Umlilo, Sober Companion, Broken Vows, Gold Diggers, Love Lives Here, The Widow, The Republic, Judge Thenjiwe Khambule, and Poppie Nongena.
Thanks to her amazing flair in linguistics, Clementine Mosimane has acquired a rich professional experience in a multilingual nation. Consequently, she has been presented with numerous roles throughout her career. In 2020 alone, while in her mid-50s, the Poppie Nongena star scored roles in more than six TV productions.
They include Lithapo, Tjovitjo, How to Ruin Christmas, and Legacy. Then in the next year, she made news headlines when she debuted as Mmathsepo in the SABC3 drama series, The Estate. Sadly, after barely over one year on the show, she exited The Estate, which left Mzansi in shock.
Why Clementine Mosimane Left the Estate After a Brief Stint on the Show
In August 2022, it was announced that Clementine will be making an exit from the third season of the SABC3 show, The Estate. In a statement released by S3 and Clive Morris Productions, the veteran actress would be making re-occurring appearances as a cameo in the series in the future.
Though the reason for her departure wasn’t clearly stated in the statement, the actress seemed to have been engaged in another acting gig as The Estate‘s production team wished her all the best in her upcoming project. Season 3 of the award-winning drama series debuted on July 18th, 2022. While on the show, Clementine portrayed the character of Mmatshepo Mokobane as a principal lead.
She happens to be the mother of Dumisani (Mpho Sibeko) and works for the Molefes, who resides in The Estate. She battles with trauma following the disappearance of her husband, Shadrick. As Clementine’s departure from The Estate didn’t sit well with the fans of the show, they didn’t hesitate to express their ill feelings on social media.
Nonetheless, she is said to have amassed huge wealth during her time in The Estate, with a monthly salary of about R65,000.
What is Clementine Mosimane’s Best Movie?
The year 2019 was an amazing year for Clementine Mosimane. Not only did she celebrate her 40th year in the industry, but achieved a great milestone in her career with a titular role in Poppie Nongena. The movie is a screen adaptation of Elsa Joubert’s novel entitled, “The Long Journey of Poppie Nongena.”
Directed by award-winning director Christiaan Olwagen, Poppie Nongena claimed 12 awards at the 2019 Silwerskerm Film Festival. Thus, the movie became the first single film to haul 12 awards at an Afrikaans film festival, the highest tally ever recorded.
Poppie Nongena is deeply rooted in South Africa’s history. Hence, Clementine Mosimane portrayed the character of an Afrikaans-speaking Xhosa woman who, as a domestic worker, struggles to find stability in her life and family during the apartheid period in South Africa.
When her husband, Stone, was too ill to maintain his contract work, Poppie had to navigate the day-to-day struggle against inhumane government pass laws in 1970s South Africa. By accurately portraying her character, Mosimane’s extraordinary talent was visible enough to land her multiple awards and nominations.
These include the Silwerskerm Award for Best Actress in a Feature Film and SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a Feature Film.
Clementine Mosimane’s Movies and TV Shows
Films
- Chikin Biznis…The Whole Story! (1999) as Busi
- The Long Run (2001) as Marie
- Poppie Nongena (2019) as Poppie Nongena
- Love Lives Here (2019) as Nomvula
TV Shows
- Lesilo Rula
- Soul City as Thandi Mazwai
- Onder Draai Die Duiwel Rond as Maria Pathudi
- Rhythm City as Celia Motlasi
- The Wild as Mama Rose
- Judge Thenjiwe Khambule
- The Republic as Gladys
- Zabalaza as Aunt Thembi
- Stash as Gogo
- Gold Diggers as Ruth Gumede
- Mark of Jackal
- Still Breathing as Sister
- Yizo Yizo as Zaza Sithole
- The Widow as Judith’s Doctor
- The Lab as Min. Public Works
- Broken Vows as Keketso
- Lithapo as Likeledi
- Housekeepers as June Ndlovu
- The Road as Cynthia Zwane/Sis Vicky
- Sober Companion as Sophie
- Black Tax as Martha Dlamini
- Umlilo as Rethabile Tladi
- How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding as Dineo Sello
- How to Ruin Christmas: The Funeral as Dineo Sello
- Tjovitjo as Ausi Poppy
- Liefling as Katy
- Isibaya as Gloria
- Clean Break as Martha
- Isidingo as Mmakgosi
- Bone of My Bones as Ma Mohlala
- eKasi: Our Stories as Mme Mathenjwa
- Mzansi Love – Big City Love as Matilda
- Intersexions as Florence
- Legacy as Kedibone
- Ngempela as Gogo’s Relative
- The Estate as Mmathsepo
Mosimane’s Decades-Long Career Has Been Decorated With Many Awards
With a career of over four decades, Clementine Mosimane has been a recipient of a number of awards. She has additionally been nominated for many prestigious awards but, unfortunately, couldn’t take them home. Here’s a list of the awards and nominations gained by the veteran actress.
Award Wins
- 2019 Silwerskerm Festival Award for Best Actress in a Feature Film (Poppie Nongena)
- 2019 Silwerskerm Festival Award for Best Ensemble Cast
- 2020 SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a Feature Film (Poppie Nongena)
Nominations
- 2017 SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a TV Soap (Gold Diggers)
- 2021 SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Comedy (How to Ruin Christmas)
Is Clementine Mosimane Married?
Multi-award-winning actress Clementine Mosimane is a married woman with two children. However, she hasn’t deemed it fit to introduce her family to the public. At the moment, the identities of her husband and children are still under wraps.
Also, there are vague details regarding when she got married and how long she has been together with her husband. Hopefully, she will get to share her family life with her fans in the coming years.
