Montloana Warren Masemola stands as a prominent South African actor, voice-over artist, and award-winning performer celebrated for his versatility across television, film, and theatre. Born on 18 May 1983 in Garankuwa, Gauteng, he rose to fame through memorable roles like Lentswe Mokethi in the soap opera Scandal! and Alex Khadzi in the fashion drama House of Zwide. His nuanced performances have made him a favorite among audiences and critics alike.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Montloana Warren Masemola |
| Date of Birth | 18 May 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Garankuwa, Gauteng |
| Nationality | South African |
| State/Province of Origin | Gauteng (Pretoria area resident) |
| Partner | lKgaugelo Masemola (married in 2017) |
| Children | one ((born in 2020) |
| Occupations | Actor, Voice-Over Artist, Television Performer, Theatre Performer |
| Net Worth | R1,500,000 (approx. $750,000 – $1,000,000 USD |
Early Life and Education
Warren Masemola grew up in Garankuwa before moving to Soshanguve during childhood. Diagnosed with alopecia at age six, he embraced the condition as part of his unique identity rather than a hindrance. He completed high school in 2000 at Tshwane Christian School in Pretoria, then trained in dance at Moving into Dance in Johannesburg for a year.
Later, he honed his acting skills through a two-year drama program at the Market Theatre Laboratory, graduating in 2004. This foundation equipped him to navigate diverse roles while broadening his perspectives on performance and identity.
Career
Masemola launched his acting career in 2008 with the role of Lentswe Mokethi on e.tv’s Scandal!, immersing himself in Sepedi culture for authenticity. He quickly expanded into various genres, portraying Thokozani “Thoko” Chanel in the SABC 1 sitcom Ses’Top La and Tizozo in the drama Intersexions.
Throughout the 2010s, he appeared in shows like 90 Plein Street, Heist, Ring of Lies, Saints and Sinners, Ayeye, and The River, showcasing range with characters like gangster MaFred in Tjovitjo. Recent highlights include Netflix’s Queen Sono, The Republic, Is’phindiselo, and his ongoing role as Alex Khadzi in House of Zwide since 2022, plus Felix Gopane in Skeem Saam.
In film, notable roles feature Agent Atieno in Eye in the Sky, Xolani in Vaya, and appearances in Machine Gun Preacher, The Number, Five Fingers for Marseilles, and recent projects like Masinga – The Calling. He also excels in voice-over work and theatre, including multiple roles in When Swallows Cry and international tours with choreographer Robyn Orlin. In 2024, he won Masked Singer South Africa as the Giraffe.
Personal Life
Warren married Kgaugelo Masemola in 2017 after years of challenges in starting a family. They welcomed their son in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an event he described with profound gratitude rooted in faith. He keeps family matters private but occasionally shares warm moments on social media.
An active individual, Masemola enjoys cycling and walking, balancing his demanding career with a grounded personal life focused on faith and loved ones.
Net Worth
Warren Masemola’s net worth is estimated at R1,500,000 (approximately $750,000–$1,000,000 USD, garnered from his acting, voice work, and ongoing TV roles like House of Zwide
Filmography
Television Series
- Skeem Saam (2024-2025) – Felix Gopane
- The Rats: A Witcher Tale (2025) – Til Echrade
- Fatal Seduction (2023-2025) – Minister Vilakazi
- House of Zwide (2022-present) – Alex Khodzi
- Blood Psalms (2022) – Mfengetho
- Masinga – The Calling (2024) – Collins Gumede
- King Shaka (2023) – Magazwa
- The River (2021) – Oupa
- Is’phindiselo (2021-2022) – Jerry
- Ses’Top La (2015-2021) – Thoko Chanel
- Tjovitjo (2017-2020) – MaFred
- The Republic (2019) – Thabang
- The Hot Zone (2019-2021) – African Boat Guide
- Scandal! (2008-2016) – Lentswe Mokethi
Films
- The Rats: A Witcher Tale (2025)
- Masinga – The Calling (2024)
- The Dark Tower (2017) – Bald Old Man
- The Number (2017) – Buttons
- Five Fingers for Marseilles (2017) – Thuto
- Mayfair (2018) – Hasan
- Black Is King (2020) – Warren Masemola
- Queen Sono (2019) – Dlaks Dube
- Vaya (2016) – Xolani
- Eye in the Sky (2015) – Agent Atieno
- Avenged (2013) – G8/Ratshidi Kgabi
- Machine Gun Preacher (2011) – LRA Commander
Stage/Theatre
- When Swallows Cry by Mike van Graan (Multiple roles)
- International productions with Robyn Orlin
Awards and Nominations
Major Awards Won
- 2015 SAFTAs / Golden Horn Best Supporting Actor (TV Comedy) Ses’Top La Won
- 2017 SAFTAs Best Supporting Actor (TV Drama Series) Won
- 2018 SAFTAs Best Actor (TV Drama) Won
- 2020 SAFTAs / Golden Horn Best Supporting Actor (TV Comedy) Single Galz Won
- 2020 MVCA Favourite Actor Won
- 2024 Masked Singer South Africa Season 2 Winner Giraffe Character Won
Notable Nominations
- 2017 Africa Movie Academy Award Best Supporting Actor Vaya
- 2017 SAFTAs Best Supporting Actor (TV Soap)
- 2018 SAFTAs Best Supporting Actor (Feature Film)
- 2018 SAFTAs Best Supporting Actor (TV Comedy)
- 2019 SAFTAs Best Supporting Actor (Telenovela)
- 2020 SAFTAs / Golden Horn Best Supporting Actor (Telenovela) Ring of Lies
- 2020 SAFTAs / Golden Horn Best Actor (TV Drama) Tjovitjo
- 2023 SAFTAs / Golden Horn Best Supporting Actor (TV Comedy) Ses’Top La
