Samukele Mkhize is a 35 year-old actress, vocalist, and voice-over artist born on April 13th, 1989. She is best recognized for her role as Khwezikazi “Khwezi” Gasela in SABC1’s drama series Skeem Saam.
In 2008, Mkhize made her acting debut in the theatre, playing a leading role in a musical. After several years of honing her skills on stage, she bagged her breakout role with Isibaya. Since November 2021, she has been featured as Khwezi in Skeem Skaam. Samukhele Mkhize has recently gained vast popularity in Mzansi by portraying a villainous character that viewers love to hate.
Samukele Mkhize’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Nosipho Samukele Mkhize
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: April 13th, 1989
- Samukele Mkhize’s Age: 35 years old
- Ethnicity: Black
- Nationality: South African
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christian
- Marital Status: Married
- Samukele Mkhize’s Husband: Mr. Masindi
- Siblings: 1
- Samukele Mkhize’s Net worth: $500,000
- Famous for: Her role as Khwezi Gasela in Skeem Skaam
- Samukele Mkhize’s Instagram: @samukele_mkhize
- Twitter: @mkhize_samukele
- Facebook: @SamukeleMkhize
What is Samukele Mkhize’s Age Today?
Samukele Mkhize, better known as Khwezi from Skeem Saam, is 35 years old. She was born at King Edward Hospital in Durban on April 13th, 1989. Her zodiac sign is Aries.
Upon making her acting debut at the age of 19 in 2008, the actress was instantly recognized for her unique acting talent. She received two Mercury Durban Theatre Award nominations for Best Lead Actress in a Musical and Best Newcomer.
Khwezi from Skeem Saam’s Real Name
Nosipho Samukele Mkhize is the real name of Khwezi from Skeem Saam. She is a proud Zulu girl who refers to herself as “The Princess of the Gcwabe Clan.” Thanks to her role in the multi-award-winning soapie Skeem Saam, Samukele has become a TV star and hopes to gain international recognition someday.
Samukele Mkhize was Raised in Staunch Christian Home
Samukele Mkhize grew up in Maphophoma, a village in Madubane, KwaZulu-Natal. She was raised by her grandparents, who were both pastors. Thus, she was deeply involved in church activities. Oftentimes, their home was occupied either by sick people or those seeking God.
Following her grandparents’ position in the church, every day, at least three services were held in their family. However, she and her brother only had to be present in two services on weekdays as they had to attend school. While growing up, Samukele was good at sports as it was the only time she got for having fun, having been heavily involved in church activities.
Also, she was a quiet child who preferred to observe other people’s behaviors and personalities first. Khwezi from Skeem Saam is grateful for her Christian upbringing, as her grandparents groomed her to be respectful.
Samukele Mkhize’s Career Beginning in Theatre
As a member of an amateur drama, music, and dance group in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, Samukele Mkhize was opportune to meet Mr. Edmund Mhlongo, who was the Artistic director of the Community Art Centre. After recognizing her potential in 2006, when they met, Mhlongo trained Samukele for over a year before casting her in his ground-breaking musical, Madame President Musical, in 2008.
The young star, who was 19 years at the time, played the titular role, and for sensationally bringing the character to life, she was nominated for two Mercury Durban Theatre Awards. With the role, she was able to announce her presence in the film industry. She further left an impressive mark when she played another leading role in Edmund Mhlongo’s play titled, Sponono the Curse Love.
Mkhize featured in the play along with Sandile Mchunu and Wiseman Mncube. Sponono the Curse Love was performed at the National Arts Festival in 2014 and was subsequently launched in Durban.
Mkhize’s TV Breakout Role of Mabuyi
Samukele Mkhize began portraying the character of Mabuyi – a naive village girl who became Sibusiso Ndlovu’s second wife in Isibaya in 2016. Interestingly, she didn’t go for an audition to nab the role, but her previous performance at the audition for The Road made her an ideal candidate to play Mabuyi.
While waiting that a role would come up for her in The Road, she received a call from the casting director for Bomb Productions, Kutlwano Ditsele, who informed her that she had been given a role in Isibaya. Samukele Mkhize gave an impeccable performance on the show for several years until Isibaya was canceled in April 2021.
She shared the screen with top South African actors in Isibaya, including Siyabonga Thwala, Jessica Nkosi, and Enhle Mbali. Having made a mark with her depictions in the series, the 35 year-old actress was handed a recurring role in Skeem Saam a few months later.
Playing Khwezi Has Bagged Samukele Mkhize an Award Nomination
CONGRATULATIONS to @mkhize_samukele for her nomination in the Outstanding Female Villain category!🎉😎
@royaltysoapieawards #SkeemSaam pic.twitter.com/8bpiAJ82YZ— OFFICIAL Skeem Saam 11 (@SkeemSaam3) February 17, 2023
Samukele made her debut as Khwezikazi “Khwezi” Gasela in Skeem Saam on November 24th, 2021. She caught the attention of Lehasa Maphosa (played by Cedric Fourie) after revealing that she was the former mistress of Nothile’s (Mbalenhle Mavimbela) father. Lehasa’s curiosity to know more about the family that rejected him to be their son-in-law drew him closer to Khwezi.
He eventually broke up with Nothile after she made it clear to him that she can’t have a child, having removed her womb. Afterward, Khwezi became Lehasa’s girlfriend and eventually fell pregnant with his child. Presently, she is a main character in the SABC1 soapie and has been playing a villain, which seemed to have upset many viewers, especially fans of Lehasa and Pretty’s (Lerato Marabe) relationship.
As a result, there have been petitions for Khwezi to be axed from Skeem Saam as Lehasa was forced to pay her lobola. Lehasa and Pretty’s fans, also known as ‘Prehasa’, have been met with heartbreak on the show. Hence, they have been threatening to boycott Skeem Saam if the writers won’t stop putting their favorite couple through pain and suffering.
Despite the negativity from ‘Prehasa’ regarding Samukele Mkhize’s character in the series, she has powerfully proved her acting depth with Kwhezi. And thus, was recognized with a nomination for the Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Award in the Outstanding Female Villain category at the 6th Royalty Soapie Awards held in March 2023.
Samukele Mkhize’s Movies and TV Shows
Theatre
- Madame President Musical (2008) as Madame President
- Sponono the Curse Love (2014) as Sponono
TV Shows
- Isibaya (2016-2021) as Mabuyi
- Skeem Saam (2021-present) as Khwezikazi “Khwezi” Gasela
Who Is Samukele Mkhize’s Husband?
Samukele Mkhize is married to a Venda businessman identified as Mr. Masindi. The lovely couple kept their relationship secret, and this made it difficult to know when they met and began dating. However, on September 26th, 2022, the Durban-native shared a picture of herself in a makoti outfit, and the caption, “24.09.2022,” hinted that she got married on September 24th, 2022.
Samukele Mkhize’s lobola was paid at her hometown in KwaZulu-Natal on heritage day. Having referred to herself as ‘Mrs. Masindi’ in the IG post, it is believed that her husband’s name is Mr. Masindi. Two months after the couple’s traditional marriage, it was speculated that Khwezi from Skeem Saam is expecting a child in real life. However, her baby bump is yet to show in her recent Instagram posts.
