Bonnie Mbuli stands out as a leading South African actress, businesswoman, television host, and author. Born on March 3, 1979, in Soweto, South Africa, she is celebrated for her standout performances in movies such as Invictus and ongoing series like Noughts + Crosses. Discovered as a young teen, she built a multifaceted career blending acting, presenting, writing, and advocacy work.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Bonnie Mbuli (formerly Bonnie Henna) |
| Date of birth | March 3, 1979 |
| Place of birth | Soweto, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| State of Origin | Gauteng (Soweto) |
| Partner | Divorced from Sisanda Henna (2013); dated Nathaniel Roloff (as of 2017, current status unclear) |
| Children | Two (Haniel Henna and Micaiah Henna, one adopted) |
| Occupations | Actress, businesswoman, TV personality, presenter, author |
| Net worth | Approximately $900,000 (as of recent estimates) |
Early Life and Education
As the oldest of three siblings raised in Soweto, Mbuli caught the eye of a talent scout at age 13 while waiting at a bus stop, landing her first gig in the 1992 series Viva Families. She later studied at Dominican Convent School in Belgravia, Johannesburg, and Greenside High School, laying the groundwork for her professional path amid the city’s vibrant suburbs.
Career
Mbuli’s journey kicked off with early TV spots in international cameos like Born Free 2 and Cave Girls, followed by hosting youth-oriented magazine shows such as Teleschool, Zapmag, Technics Heart of the Beat, and Limits Unlimited. In 2001, she took the lead as Zandi in the youth soap Backstage on e.tv, then portrayed Portia in Gaz’lam and a detective in Zero Tolerance.
She expanded into talk shows with True-Life on SABC 1 (2003-2004) and guest-starred in Rhythm City (2011-2012) and NBC’s The Philanthropist (2009). Breakthrough films arrived with Drum (2004) as Dara Macala and Catch a Fire (2006) as Precious Chamusso, cementing her on the global stage opposite Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman in Invictus (2009).
Television highs continued with Dudu in Mzansi Magic’s Rockville (2013-2014), Ntombi in SABC1’s Home Affairs (2005), and the trailblazing female lead in e.tv’s *Traffic!. In 2015, she joined Sir Kenneth Branagh as Sgt. Grace Mthembu in BBC’s *Wallander*. Recent credits feature Jasmine in *Noughts + Crosses* Seasons 1-2 (BBC/Peacock, 2020 onward), the political drama The Republic Season 2 (Mzansi Magic), and Shamiso Tongai in AMC’s Parish (2024).
Additional ventures include competing on Survivor South Africa: Maldives (2011, M-Net), voice artistry, MC gigs, and production work, showcasing her range across over 30 projects in local and international film, TV, and media.
Personal Life
Mbuli ended her marriage to fellow actor Sisanda Henna in 2013; they co-parent two sons, Haniel and Micaiah (one adopted), who remain with her. She later entered a relationship with Nathaniel Roloff circa 2017, praising his encouragement during tough times. A passionate advocate, she supports Adoption Voice S.A. through orphanage outreach and channels her experiences into her post-divorce memoir.
Net Worth
Bonnie Mbuli’s wealth sits around $900,000, fueled by diverse income from on-screen roles, hosting fees, entrepreneurial efforts, and book royalties. Continued involvement in high-profile series like Noughts + Crosses bolsters her financial standing amid steady industry demand.
Filmography
Key roles include:
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Drum | Dara Macala | Film debut lead |
| 2006 | Catch a Fire | Precious Chamusso | Opposite Tim Robbins |
| 2009 | Invictus | Zindzi Mandela | Clint Eastwood dir. |
| 2015 | Wallander | Sgt. Grace Mthembu | BBC series w/ Branagh |
| 2020– | Noughts + Crosses | Jasmine Hadley | BBC/Peacock lead |
| 2024 | Parish | Shamiso Tongai | AMC series |
Her portfolio spans dozens more TV episodes, soaps, and specials.
Awards and Recognition
Mbuli clinched a 2020 Glamour Woman of the Year, a Golden Horn for Best Actress in Film, and Best Talk Show Host honors. Nominations include 2007 SAFTA Golden Horn and 2017 SAFTA Best Talk Show Host. Beyond accolades, her social initiatives and authorship amplify her status as a beloved industry staple.
