Masoja Msiza, the South African actor best known for portraying the character Nkunzi Mhlongo in the popular telenovela Uzalo, was born on October 5, 1964, in the township of Kwa-Thema in Gauteng, South Africa. As of June 2026, he is 61 years old and continues to be one of the most recognizable faces on South African television. Msiza is a multi-talented artist who works as an actor, poet, musician, storyteller, MC, producer, and educator, with bookings managed through masoja@legendliquid.co.za according to his Instagram profile.
His journey into the arts began remarkably early when he started performing as a poet at just nine years old and won a school drama competition at age fourteen. Before finding success in acting, Msiza worked as a miner but was fired during a strike, an experience that eventually led him to pursue his passion for performance full-time. His debut acting role came in Gibson Kente’s play Mfowethu, marking the beginning of a career that would span decades across theater, film, and television.
Msiza’s most famous role is Nkunzebomvu, commonly known as Nkunzi Mhlongo, in Uzalo, which he began playing in 2018 and continues to portray in 2026. The character is a worldly and ruthless crime lord who has mastered the underworld as a hijack kingpin, making him one of the most intriguing and compelling villains on South African television. Uzalo itself is South Africa’s most-watched television show, which has elevated Msiza to national fame and made Nkunzi one of the most memorable characters in the country’s soapie history. Beyond Uzalo, Msiza has appeared in notable films including Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu and A Million Colours, demonstrating his versatility across different genres and formats.
In addition to his acting work, Msiza remains active in the music industry and released new music in 2022, showcasing his continued creativity as a performer. He is a father of three, having one son and two daughters, and balances his family life with his demanding career in the entertainment industry. His Instagram profile describes him as an influencer, MC, actor, poet, producer, storyteller, writer, and entrepreneur, reflecting the breadth of his creative endeavors. As of 2026, Msiza continues to perform at events and maintain his presence in South African entertainment, with upcoming performances scheduled including a poets event at Sun City Superbowl on June 27, 2026