Zenande Mfenyana Biography: Pregnancy, Age, Early Life, Education, Relationship, Career, Award, Philanthropy, Brand Endorsements, Controversy, Hairstyles

One of Mzansi's rising actresses known for her dreadlocks and more.

By  | Jun 23, 2020, 08:41 PM  | Zenande Mfenyana  | Top of The

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Zenande Mfenyana is a South African model and actress who is known for portraying Noluntu Memela on the soapie, Generations.

She is also known for her dreadlocks she wears in different styles that many people envy.

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Her time on screen has seen her grow her fan base and she continues showing her craft each time she appears on TV.

Here's a look at Zenande Mfenyana's biography.

Zenande Mfenyana Pregnacy


The Queen actress, Zenande Mfenyana celebrated Mother’s Day by finally giving her fans what they wanted. Zenande posted an image that shared a glimpse of her growing baby bump.

The image featured Zenande Mfenyana shot from under water in her pool.

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However, it seems during her time as a pregnant woman she has found herself in murky waters sometimes. 

Zenande Mfenyana saw herself trending again, not for the negative comments about her pregnancy look, however she caught smoke because of her fiery response to a woman 'reaching out.'

The excited soon-to-be mommy shared a picture of herself with no make-up and some pregnancy essentials as a partnership with Tommee Tippe. A woman then reached out to her, all in good faith, to give her advice on how to deal with negative comments about her pregnancy.

However, Zenande Mfenyana did not receive it well and sent a stinging clapback that had some people labeling her as rude.

"I never said I'm not embracing my pregnancy. Just cause you laugh about it I don't find any of it funny at all. Please keep your opinion to yourself next time," she responded.



Zenande Mfenayana was on a blocking spree as trolls came for her after the screenshot went viral. Others were in her defence saying the woman's message was inappropriate and rude.

Zenande Mfenyana Age


Zenande Mfenyana was born 11 October 1985. She is 34 years old.

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Zenande Mfenyana Early Life


Zenande Mfenyana was born in Kagiso, Krugersdorp, South Africa.

She has a sister by the name of Akhe Mfenyana who is also an actor. During an interview with The Rep she had this to say about Zenande Mfenyana;

“My sister (Zenande Mfenyana) is one of my biggest inspirations. She has been there from day zero and when people thought I was crazy for graduating with a Bachelor of Science and transitioning into the TV industry, she was the one rooting for me. Her work ethic is unreal and she is not phased by the “glitz and glam”.

Zenande Mfenyana also has a brother that she adores so much.

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Zenande Mfenyana Education


Zenande Mfenyana completed her matric at Queenstown Girls' High School. 

She was enrolled at the Tshwane University of Technology and holds a BA in Drama.

Zenande Mfenyana Relationship


In 2018, Zenande Mfenayna revealed that she's is a relationship although she didn't say with who.

She took to Twitter to share how great her love life is. She started off by mentioning that her previous relationship was not that great. She wrote: "I once dated a person who didn't like the way I wore, the friends I kept, my place of work, place I stay, NADA!"

She then told tweeps that she's been in a wonderful relationship for over a year. 

"Oh did I mention that I'm dating a really amazing person right now, it's been over a year of pure bliss," the actress wrote on Twitter. 

Zenande Mfenyana Career


When she started she revealed that she had to find ways of surviving in the industry.

“I did a little bit of behind the scenes and casting assistance. I learned a lot about the industry while trying to find my feet. The situation was not bad because I survived on voice-overs”. 

Zenande Mfenyana was thrust into the spotlight when she appeared on Mzansi's favourite soapie, Generations as Noluntu Memela. in 2011. She defined Noluntu, who came from a wealthy family; as an attention seeker and rude girl who is always stepping on people’s toes.

In January 2015, Zenande Mfenyana starred as Reba on e.tv's soap opera Ashes to Ashes, alongside Tina Jaxa and Menzi Ngubane.

Her time on the screen also landed her a role in one of Mzansi's favourite TV shows, The Queen.


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She went on and featured in a film called "All About Love" as Mabel in 2017 which starred a continental cast featuring the likes of Nomzamo Mbatha, Katlego Danke, Richard Lukunku, Chris Attoh, Leroy Gopal, Enyinna Nwigwe and Angela Sithole to name a few.



In the same year she was cast as Grace in the movie titled Kampterrein. In 2019, she starred as Cynthia Vilakazi in the film titled Shuga. Zenande Mfenyana also appeared in Igazi (Season 1 and 2) as Babalwa. 

Zenande Mfenyana Award


In her career, she has got the recognition that she deserves by scooping the following award.

2014 - Best Actress at the You Spectacular Awards



Zenande Mfenyana Philanthropy


In 2018, Zenande Mfenyana was part of the Panties & Bra’s Campaign which is a movement that identified the need to shine a spotlight on disadvantaged girls, ensuring that their empowerment & development is prioritised in South Africa. 

Zenande Mfenyana pulled at our heartstrings when she posted pictures of herself giving back to the less fortunate. 

The star went to a school to donate shoes to underprivileged children. Taking to Instagram, she wrote:

'Today, alongside @cloverkrush I had the privilege of spreading love to the pupils at Sandzile Primary School in Mpumalanga ❤️ All the kids at the school got a brand new pair of school shoes. The joy on their adorable faces was priceless 😭 it’s so fulfilling to able to give and restore confidence in our children’s lives. A little goodness can go a long way," she wrote in part. Take a look at the post below:

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Zenande Mfenyana Brand Endorsements


In 2014, she got signed as the brand ambassador for Chelline, an online shopping site for hair products, accessories and clothes.

Then in 2016, she got to be the brand ambassador for Geisha where she had billboards in a number of African countries such as Kenya.

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Zenande Mfenyana Controversy


Along with actresses Rami Chuene, and Nokuthula Mavuso; Zenande Mfenyana  weighed in on a debate that was sparked on Twitter how young actresses were being taken advantage of by the established actors. 

Zenande Mfenyana revealed that she has personally experienced such abuse, and will share what happened when she's ready to. 

"I experienced this, and one day I’ll have the courage to speak up about it openly. The abuse from older actresses onto younger ones needs to stop. Enough is enough."


The Queen actress also revealed that she had some news she wanted to spill as she felt that she had been quiet for too long.

She did not spill any more details on what her next rant was going to be about but it seemed as though social media had already put two and two together and The Fergusons were on everyone's lips.

It was however rather confusing and not certain who or what she was waiting to expose, because she defended her disgraced bosses. She issued out a stern warning for people who are waiting for her to 'expose' The Fergusons when she told them 'Hands Off The Fergusons.'

Mzansi awaits with baited breath as to what she has to say. 

Zenande Mfenyana Hairstyles


The one reason why people enjoy watching Zenande on TV is to see her flaunt her different hairstyles. Most people that you can wear your dreadlocks in different ways, but Zenande has proved that theory wrong.

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There's no denying that she's quite the fashionista too.

Fans love watching Zenande Mfenyana and they admire at how she has managed to keep going all this while in this cut throat industry. She's had her fair of challenges, but she is still focused on being the best version of herself.


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Main image credit: youthvillage.co.za

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