# Nandi Nyembe

Nandi Nyembe (born 19 August 1950) is a South African actress known for her roles in the sports drama Zone 14, and Soul City.

## Early life

Nyembe was born in Kliptown, Johannesburg, in August 1950. She also stayed in various places, like Botswana and East London, South Africa when she was young. Nyembe has shared how she used to always be cast as a maid in auditions because of the apartheid regime. In an interview with Bona Magazine she said:
   White women’s faces used to get painted black if the show needed a black lead. The inequality and oppression angered me, and I started taking part in protest theatre. The police used to interrupt our protest theatre shows with tear gas to intimidate us. Most of the shows were at night and on my way home, the police used to ask for my pass. I was often on the run because the government hated what we were doing."

## Career

Nyembe is known for playing Nandi Sibiya from 1 until 2012 on Zone 14. She also portrayed the character of Lily on SABC 1's hit teen-drama Yizo Yizo (2001-2004), and the leading character in the SABC 1 sitcom Izoso Connexion, from (2006-2007). She has acted in feature films, including Reasonable Man (1999), Saturday Night at the Palace (1987) and Yesterday (2004).
In 2007, she appeared in the drama series Jacob's Cross, playing the role of Thembe Makhubu. In addition, Nyembe has appeared as a guest in episodes of dozens of primetime series including Soul Buddyz, Hillside, Erfsondes, 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls and a guest starring role in The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

### 2014–present

In 2006, she also starred in an episode of SABC1 drama series Sticks and Stones, Nyembe has also been a cast member on several television shows, including Mzansi Magic's Isithunzi, Isibaya and The Road for two seasons. In 2016, she was cast in the e.tv drama series Ashes to Ashes. In 2017, Nyembe joined the cast of Mzansi Magic Isithembiso Dolly.
In September 2021, the character she played in the television series House of Zwide was killed off. This led to a string of false reports online that Nyembe had died in real life, and prompted friends to get in touch with her in a panicked state.

## Personal life

Nyembe has a daughter. Nyembe practices sangoma (Medium/psychic), she had her sangoma initiation when she was only 17, Before knowing she was a sangoma she suffered a serious illness, as a result of being able to connect with the spirits of people who died on the road. In addition she told Time Lives Magazine about the illness.
   I was sick and my mother had to take me to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. At some point, doctors had to test my urine and surprisingly it came out with soil but there was nothing wrong with me,
Nyembe's daughter also practiced sangoma, though she has stopped.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1987 | Saturday Night at the Palace | Miriam |
| 1994 | A Reasonable Man (1999) | Rachel Ndlovu |
| 2004 | Yesterday | Sangoma |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1994,1996, 1997,1999, 2001,2003 | Soul City | Sister Lizzie |
| (2001–2004) | Yizo Yizo | Lily |
| 2002 | Gaz'lam | Lerato's Mother |
| 2005–2012 | Zone 14 | Nandi Sibiya |
| 2006–2007 | Izoso Connexion | Maria |
| 2007,2011–2012 | Jacob's Cross | Thembi Makhubu |
| 2008 | Hillside. | Ntshebo Maloka |
| 2009 | The Coconuts | Mrs Hlatshwayo |
| 2014 | Sticks and Stones | Patience |
| 2011 | Soul Buddyz. | Gogo |
| 2014 | Ses'Top La | Guest |
| 2015–2017 | Ashes to Ashes. | Ma' Mazibuko |
| 2015–2016 | The Road | Gogo |
| 2016–2017 | Is'thunzi. | Nolwazi |
| 2013–2019 | Isibaya. | Gog' Mkhithi |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 2001 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Supporting Actress – TV Soap/Telenovela | Ashes to Ashes | Nominated |