Simphiwe Ngema – Biography, Real Name, Age and Career

Simphiwe Ngema, born on August 29, 1989, is a South African actress, singer, MC, and presenter best known for her role as Thuli Nkosi in the SABC soapie Muvhango. She has appeared in several popular local soapies, including Muvhango, The Queen, and Broken Vows. Before stepping into the spotlight, she worked as a journalist and motivational speaker. In 2017, she featured on the reality show Preachers Kids. Despite personal challenges, including the tragic loss of her husband just two months into their marriage, she has become a well-known figure in the South African entertainment industry. She also serves as a brand ambassador for @goldseriesza.

Early Life

Simphiwe Ngema was born on August 29, 1989, in Johannesburg, South Africa. She was raised in Soweto alongside her three sisters in a Christian household. Her father is a local pastor, and she comes from a family with an entertainment background—her father’s uncle, Mbongeni Ngema, is a well-known theatre producer. Simphiwe often highlights the importance of family, stating that her fame holds no weight when she is at home.

Profile Summary

Full Name	Simphiwe Ngeme
Nickname	Simz
Date of Birth	August 29, 1989
Place of Birth	Klipspruit, Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa
Nationality	South African
Gender	Female
Age	36 years old in 2025
Religion	Christianity
Sexual Orientation	Straight
Marital Status	Widowed
Husband	Dumi Masilela
Son	Tiyani Chinyani
Relationship Status	Dating
Boyfriend	Tino Chinyani
Sibling	Baxolile (Older Sister)
Education	Boston House (Journalism)
Profession	Actress, Singer, MC
Instagram	@simzngema

Career

Simphiwe Ngema began her acting career in 2008 with a theatre production titled The Game, directed by Duma Ndlovu, who introduced her to acting. In 2011, she landed her breakthrough role as Thuli Nkosi in the TV series Muvhango. She went on to play Buhle in The Queen (2018) and appeared in other productions like Broken Vows, Isidingo, Greed & Desire, and Bone of My Bones. She was also featured in the Vuzu reality show Preachers’ Kids. In an interview with Showmax, she expressed her desire to avoid being typecast. In 2015, she took on presenting duties as the host of e.tv’s cultural show Isiko. 

Alongside acting and presenting, Simphiwe is a singer with a focus on House music. Her debut single Thola Khona dropped in 2019, following her 10-track album Eternal Crush, which she released on December 8, 2018. She once shared in an interview with IOL that singing was a lifelong dream she wanted to fulfill.

Personal Life

Simphiwe Ngema was married to Dumisani “Dumi” Masilela, a South African actor, musician, and former footballer known for his role as Sifiso on Rhythm City. The couple began dating in May 2014 and had their traditional wedding in May 2017. Tragically, Dumi passed away in August 2017 after being shot during an attempted carjacking in Tembisa, Gauteng. He was 29 years old.

In 2019, Ngema began a relationship with Zimbabwean-born TV presenter and model Tino Chinyani. They welcomed their son, Tiyani Kemorena Michael Chinyani, in June 2020. Although the couple announced their split in September 2021, they rekindled their relationship in March 2023.

Films 

Broken Vows

Bone of My Bones

Muvhango

The Queen

Isidingo

Greed & Desire

PKs

Songs

Tiyani

Thola Khona

Thanda Ngempela

Ikhenani

Idliso

I Love Me More