Noxolo Mathula is a South African actress, model, and musician best known for playing Lillian “Lilly” Dongwe on the hit SABC1 telenovela Uzalo. Born on 31 December 1990, she first gained attention with her role as Fikile “Fiks” in the Mzansi Magic drama eHostela, which earned her a Best Supporting Actress award at the 2019 Simon Sabela Film Awards.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Noxolo Mathula |
| Date of Birth | 31 December 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Kwa-Mashu, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| State of Origin | KwaZulu-Natal (Durban) |
| Partner | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
| Occupations | Actress, Model, Musician, Entrepreneur, Brand Ambassador |
| Net Worth | Estimated $150,000 – $500,000 |
Early Life and Education
Noxolo was born and raised in Kwa-Mashu, a township in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. She later moved with her family to Umhlanga Rocks, a coastal town just north of Durban. She attended Parkhill High School in Durban, where she completed her matric in 2008.
Her passion for acting started early, and she decided to pursue it professionally. In 2015, she graduated from AFDA Durban (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance) with a Bachelor’s degree in Motion Pictures and Live Performance.
The formal training gave her a strong foundation in theatre and performance, which she’s carried into her on-screen work.
Career
Television and Acting
Noxolo’s big break came in 2019 with eHostela, where she played Fikile “Fiks,” a role that showcased her acting depth and earned her industry recognition. Shortly after, she joined the cast of Uzalo as Lillian “Lilly” Dongwe.
She started with cameo appearances before being promoted to a main cast member, and her character quickly became a fan favourite.
One of the most talked-about storylines she’s handled is Lilly coming out as bisexual. Noxolo has spoken about how challenging and nerve-wracking it was to portray the role authentically, knowing how important it was to represent the LGBTQ+ community respectfully. She even worked with an acting coach to make sure the portrayal felt real and true to life.
Her other TV credits include appearances in Mzansi Bioskop productions like Abasebenzi (Seasons 1 and 2) and Abo Chommee, as well as the TV film Ifalakhe in 2019. In 2025, she appeared in Umjolo: My Beginnings, My End!, part of Netflix’s popular Umjolo film series.
Music and Radio
Acting isn’t Noxolo’s only creative outlet. She’s also an upcoming musician and took part in the Clash of the Choirs, representing Team KZN alongside choir master Busiswa. She’s also dipped her toes into radio, gaining experience behind the mic at Inanda FM, a community radio station in her hometown area.
Entrepreneurship
Like many creatives, Noxolo has had to find ways to sustain herself outside of acting. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when filming came to a halt, she started a small hot dog business to keep herself financially afloat.
She’s also secured several brand ambassadorships over the years, including partnerships with Notty Dolls, Bolt South Africa (formerly Taxify), and Zuri Aesthetics, which have added to her income alongside her acting work.
Personal Life
Noxolo keeps her personal life private. She’s not married and doesn’t have children, and she hasn’t publicly confirmed any long-term relationships.
There’s been persistent speculation that she might be one of former President Jacob Zuma’s daughters, especially after she shared a photo of herself with him at his Nkandla residence, however, her biological father is Ngcebo Andrew Mathula, who passed away in November 2021.
Net Worth
Noxolo Mathula’s estimated net worth is between $150,000 and $500,000. Her income comes from several streams.
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | eHostela | Fikile “Fiks” | Main role |
| 2019–present | Uzalo | Lillian “Lilly” Dongwe | Main cast (police officer) |
| 2019 | Ifalakhe | — | TV film |
| — | Abasebenzi (Seasons 1 & 2) | — | Mzansi Bioskop |
| — | Abo Chommee | — | Mzansi Bioskop |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | The Right Thing | Mbali | — |
| 2025 | Umjolo: My Beginnings, My End! | — | Netflix film |
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Simon Sabela Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | eHostela (as Fikile “Fiks”) | Won |
As of now, Noxolo hasn’t received additional major award nominations, though her work on Uzalo has earned her significant fan recognition and critical praise, especially for her portrayal of a bisexual character in a mainstream South African soap opera.
