There’s no stopping Somizi

From reality TV sensation to social media star, Somizi Mhlongo is slaying it. But it’s no surprise as the flamboyant star was born into showbiz royalty

LIFE has always been a performance for him – lights, camera, action! and he’s ready to go with his vibrant hairdos, on-fleek eyebrows and flamboyant outfits. Somizi Mhlongo is a triple threat, having shot to fame as a dancer, actor and choreographer. And now he’s taken home several YOU Spectacular awards, confirming he’s one of Mzansi’s most-loved celebs.

He clinched the award for Social Media Star, Most Stylish Male and Favourite Radio Personality to cement once and for all that he is “Dynamite, dynamite, dynamite boom!”

We look at the rise of this superstar. Somizi was born on 23 December 1972 in Orlando East, Soweto, to veteran actress Mary Twala and late actor/comedian Ndaba Mhlongo. He was destined for the spotlight and made his acting debut at the age of six in a play by Paul Rapetsoa.

Somizi spent much of his childhood on the road from one production set to the next with his entertainer parents. “This life is normal for me – my mother is an actress, my father was an actor, so they were always on the go,” says Somizi. “This has always been my life – it’s in my genes.”

He landed his first big job as a presenter on a kids’ TV show. At 14 he was cast as the narrator in Mbongeni Ngema’s world-famous stage production of Sarafina.

Now Bahumi (21), his daughter with TV personality Palesa Madisakwane, is following in his footsteps. She recently made her acting debut in Keeping Score on SABC2.

Bahumi has just the right mentor to take her to stardom. “She’s confident,” her proud dad says. “I think it’s a repeat of my life in a way. I had famous parents and it wasn’t easy because the expectations are high. But I taught her never to compromise who she is, regardless of where she’s at in her life.”