Samkelo Ndlovu (Photo: Instagram/Samú).
Samkelo Ndlovu (born 31 December 1989) is a South African award-winning film and TV actress. She is best known for playing hellcat Lerato on axed daily drama Rhythm City. She is also known for playing Sonia in the soccer drama series Zone 14, which aired on SABC1.
Ndlovu returns to screen after an acting hiatus as she joins the second season of the local series Reyka. She plays the courageous detective Ayanda Jali. During her hiatus, she got to introspect and re-evaluate how she was to reinforce herself in the industry.
The actress joined the cast of Adulting season 2, which dropped on 4 December 2023. She has appeared in many other flicks, including Inkaba, Mzansi Love, and Rhythm City.
| Samkelo Ndlovu | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background Information | |
| Full name: | Samkelo Ndlovu |
| Born: | 31 December 1989 (age 34 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Alexandria Township, Johannesburg |
| Nationality: | South Africa |
| Education: | Sandringham High School |
| Alma mater: | AFDA |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Partner: | Sello Nhlapho |
| Daughter: | Zhuri Ngilosi |
| Net worth: | R9 million (2023) |
| Residence: | Johannesburg |
Early Life
Samkelo Ndlovu was born on 31 December 1989 in Alexandria Township, Johannesburg. She grew up and schooled in South Africa.
Education
The actress schooled at Fairways Primary. She completed high school at Sandringham High School and attended AFDA.
Career
Although Ndlovu has appeared on many television shows and productions, viewers are still familiar with her role in Zone 14. She appeared in the SABC1 soccer drama series Zone 14 as Sonia.
Ndlovu landed an acting gig in season eleven of the SABC1 AIDS drama TV series Soul City. She starred as wild child Lira Khumalo in Mzansi Magic telenovela Inkaba (2012 to 2013).
After she graduated from college, she appeared in the comedy Taka Takata as Lerato, her first role. She landed a supporting role in the SABC1 soap opera Generations.
The actress has credits in other TV productions and shows. She appeared in iNkaba as Lira Khumalo, Intersexions as Mbali, Lip Sync Battle Africa as Competitor, and Mzansi Love as Lebo.
Ndlovu played Esther in Skyf – The Movie (2011), a feature film produced by Thapelo Moekoena. She landed a starring role of a Lebo in the e.tv anthology series Mzansi Love: Kasi Style.
Samkelo portrayed Lerato, a flirtatious and vain character in the e.tv soap opera Rhythm City, and made her first appearance in 2013. Her character is a cousin to Fats.
Personal Life
Samkelo Ndlovu has a daughter, Zhuri Ngilosi. Her daughter’s second name, Ngilosi, means Angel in Xhosa and Zulu. The model, Sello Nhlapho, is her baby daddy, and they raise their daughter together. The duo once went on vacation together in early 2016. She is no longer with the father of her child but has a great relationship with her ex.
The Rhythm City actress almost dated the comedian Trevor Noah. She declined after perceiving that they were not compatible. She knew Trevor before his rise to fame. Ndlovu speaks Xhosa, Zulu, English, Sotho, and Tswana.
Samkelo is a lover of motorcars and appears in pictures standing beside different vintage cars. She tattooed the face of a woman on her right hand. She loves to travel and has been to Venice and Pompei in Italy.
Social Profiles
Samkelo Ndlovu shows other parts of her life that are not on-screen on social media. She posts what she does during her leisure time.
The actress got her followers emotional after leaving a heartfelt message for her daughter in January 2024. She is not tedious but leaves her followers entertained through her posts. She also posts sultry pictures on Instagram.
Profiles
Net Worth
Samkelo Ndlovu is worth R9 million as of September 2023, according to The Saga. She has appeared in many television productions.
Filmography
- Generations as DJ Lulu
- iNkaba as Lira Khumalo
- Intersexions as Mbali
- Lip Sync Battle Africa as Competitor
- Mzansi Love as Lebo
- Rhythm City as Lerato
- Skeem Saam as Security Guard 3
- Sokhulu & Partners as Misso
- Soul City as Nkosazana
- Zaziwa as Herself
- Zone 14 as Sonia