Dawn Thandeka King, born on October 1, 1977, is a highly acclaimed South African actress, musician, motivational speaker, and social media influencer hailing from Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal. She is most recognized for her previous portrayal of MaNgcobo on the popular South African soap opera Uzalo. King skillfully inhabited the character of MaNgcobo for nearly seven years, garnering multiple awards and widespread acclaim for her performance.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Dawn Thandeka King |
| Date of Birth | October 1, 1977 |
| Place of Birth | Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Spouse | Jabulani Msomi (2002–2017) |
| Children | 5 |
| Occupations | Actress, Musician, Motivational Speaker |
| Net Worth | Approximately $270,000 |
Early Life and Education
Dawn Thandeka King was born on October 1, 1977, in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She discovered her passion for acting during her school years while participating in various school and church plays.
After completing her matric at Excelsior Secondary School in Umtata, where she briefly lived, she returned to Durban to pursue her education in drama.
King studied at Technikon Natal (now Durban University of Technology), where she honed her acting skills and participated in numerous stage productions, including Peace in the Valley at the Playhouse Theatre. Her early experiences laid the foundation for her successful career in
Career
Before her breakthrough in acting, Dawn Thandeka King worked a 9-to-5 job in the tourism industry in Durban. She left this position to pursue her passion for acting, making her debut in 2012 with a role in Mzansi Magic’s telenovela Inkaba.
From 2015 to 2021, she gained fame for her portrayal of Lindiwe Xulu (MaNgcobo) on the SABC1 telenovela Uzalo, earning praise for her performance. Following Uzalo, she starred as Mazet in the telenovela Lockdown and took on a leading role as Thandiwe in DiepCity from 2021 to 2022.
Recently, she has appeared as Mkabayi in Shaka iLembe (2023) and is set to star as Liyana Vezi in the upcoming series Blood Legacy (2024). Additionally, she will play Queen Mandlovu Khahlamba in the anticipated series Queendom (2024).
Personal Life
King is a dedicated mother of five children. After a 15-year marriage to Durban-based businessman Jabulani Msomi that ended in 2017, she is now in a relationship with Mlungisi Ndebele.
King places great importance on nurturing her children’s creative talents, including one daughter who currently works as a script supervisor on BET’s Queendom.
Net Worth
Dawn Thandeka King, a prominent South African actress, has an estimated net worth of aroound $270,000 according to various sources.
Filmography
Dawn Thandeka King’s filmography includes notable roles in various South African television series:
- Uzalo (2015–2021) as Lindiwe Xulu (MaNgcobo)
- Lockdown (2018–2022) as Zandile Mkhwanazi (Mazet)
- Diep City (2021–2022) as Thandiwe
- Shaka iLembe (2023) as Mkabayi
- SLAY (2020) as Lungi
- Isitha: The Enemy (2023) as Nomcebo Ngwenya
- Blood Legacy (2024) as Liyana Vezi
- Inkaba (2012) as Anele
Her performances have earned her critical acclaim and several awards throughout her career.
Awards and Nominations
Dawn Thandeka King has received several awards and nominations throughout her career, highlighting her talent and impact in the South African entertainment industry:
Awards
- 2019: Winner, Best Actress in a TV Drama for Lockdown at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA).
- 2020: Winner, Best Actress at the KZN Entertainment Awards.
Nominations
- 2019: Nominated for Best Actress in a TV Soap for Uzalo at the SAFTA.
- 2020: Nominated for Favourite Actress at the DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards.
- 2024: Nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series for Shaka iLembe at the Simon Mabhunu Sabela KZN Film and TV Awards.
These accolades reflect her significant contributions to television drama and her popularity among audiences.
