Kwanele Mthethwa is having the kind of season every actor dreams about, booked and busy. In June, the Durban-born actress appears in two major telenovelas at the same time, Netflix’s The Polygamist and Mzansi Magic’s Kwa Baba. This marks yet another major moment in a career that has been steadily rising for years.
Audiences first met her as Ayanda in Isithembiso, the role that introduced a fresh face with undeniable presence. Even then, there was something striking about the way she carried emotion on screen. Since then, her growth has been impossible to ignore. Her impressive body of work includes roles in The Queen, Umkhokha: The Curse, Entangled, On The Dock and Lobola Man all showcasing different shades of her screen presence, vulnerable in one moment, fierce in the next.
Now, she enters another exciting space with her role in the Netflix Original, The Polygamist. In the series, she plays Matipa, one of Jonasi’s mistresses, whose relationship with him becomes the source of tension within his marriage and family. It is a complicated role, the kind that can easily fall flat in the wrong hands, but Mthethwa brings something more to it. There is softness where you expect cruelty. There is humanity where viewers may expect judgment. She plays Matipa as a woman with desires, flaws and emotional contradictions, which makes the character all the more compelling to watch.
The Polygamist is a 22-episode telenovela adapted from Sue Nyathi’s acclaimed novel and produced by award winning Stained Glass Productions. The series, which premieres on 12 June, unfolds around the world of Jonasi Gomora, a self made CEO whose carefully built empire begins to fracture as the consequences of his personal choices catch up with him, exposing the emotional fault lines between power, marriage and desire. Alongside a strong ensemble cast led by Gugu Gumede and S’dumo Mtshali as Joyce and Jonasi Gomora, Mthethwa joins a lineup that includes S’thandiwe Kgoroge, Kenneth Nkosi, Celeste Ntuli, Luyanda Zwane, Wonder Ndlovu, Noluthando Shabalala, Vuyo Biyela and Lwazie Keith Tsebesha, each contributing to a story where every relationship carries weight and consequence.
Xabiso Ngqabe sat down with Kwanele Mthethwa to unpack her role as Matipa in The Polygamist, reflect on her steady rise in the industry, and explore what viewers can expect from the highly anticipated series.
First of all, congratulations on the role. What was your initial reaction when you first read the script?
Jeez, it was hectic. First of all, I didn’t even know about the book. So obviously, I did the auditions, and then once I got through, they told us the story was based on a book. I actually decided to read the book before reading the script because I felt like it would give me more insight into the character. In the script there’s a bit of a bio and all of that, but the book really helped me understand who Matipa was.
Once I read it, I got a much clearer idea of her, and I think that really helped me build the character in a deeper way.
Speaking of Matipa, the moment she comes on screen, you immediately know she’s trouble. What did you find most compelling about her?
I loved the fact that she’s a very educated woman. The character also shows that people who are educated and career-driven can still make really bad decisions sometimes. But what I loved most is that she’s not just a typical villain. There’s depth to her. There are layers to why she is the way she is, and I think that’s what makes her interesting to watch.
What are you most excited for audiences to experience with this show?
Honestly, I’m especially excited for the book lovers. I’m also really proud of how everybody came together, from the cast to the crew. Everyone worked so hard on this project, and I think when audiences finally watch it, they’re really going to feel that passion and effort. I can’t wait for the supporters of our work to finally experience it because I genuinely believe people are going to love it. It’s such an amazing show, and I’m really excited for everyone to see what we created.
You could really see the chemistry between you and your co-stars on screen. It felt like you guys genuinely spent time together, whether through rehearsals, script readings, or simply getting to know each other. What was it like working with them, and what did you all do to build that chemistry?
Listen, I’ve always wanted to work with S’dumo Mtshali. Even before I knew I’d be in the industry, acting was always something that lived in my heart. I remember watching him on Class Act with my granny, and when I got the role, I called her immediately and said, “You won’t believe who I’m working with.” She asked who, and I said, “Sdumo from Class Act.” So for me, that was already such a surreal moment.
We already followed each other on Instagram, so there was already that mutual respect of, “I know your work, you know mine.” And honestly, when we finally met, the chemistry just naturally took off. Even in between takes or while on set, we made it a point to spend time together and really get to know one another better. That way, when they called “action,” it genuinely felt like these characters had history and didn’t just meet the day shooting started. I think that really translated on screen.
You’ve been on an incredible run lately with major productions like Kwa Baba on Mzansi Magic and The Polygamist on Netflix. How does it feel watching your career come together the way it is right now?
I’m so happy! When I look at where I come from and compare it to where I am today, it feels insane. Looking back at the dreams I had for myself and seeing them slowly come to life is such a wild feeling. And for me, one of the most special things is having my granny here to witness it all. I remember the days when I’d get auditions and she would pray with me before every single one. So seeing all of that finally come to fruition is incredibly emotional and rewarding.
I’ve definitely had a really good run, and with every production I’ve worked on, I’ve been blessed enough to work alongside legends in the industry, people I’ve learned so much from. I always make it a point to take something valuable with me from every set and every experience. So overall, I’m really, really grateful and pleased with how everything is unfolding.
Scroll through a selection of images of Kwanele Mthethwa below.
