Mapula Mafole (born 18 July 1990) is a South African actress. Many know her for playing Mapula on the soap opera Rhythm City. Her first role on television was Beauty on the SABC drama series Intersexions in 2012.
The actress has played starring roles in small-screen motion pictures. She appeared in Pila Pila in 2023, My Girlfriend’s Father in 2023, Ke Bona Spoko in 2022, and Expiry Date.
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| Background Information | |
| Full name: | Mapula Mafole |
| Born: | 18 July 1990 (age 33 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Klerksdorp, North West Province |
| Parents: | Moses (father), Monica (mother) |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Education: | Acting |
| Alma mater: | AFDA |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Years active: | 2012-date |
| Known for: | Mapula in Rhythm City |
| Siblings: | Tebogo, Thabiso, Kabelo |
| Partner: | Phila Dlozi |
Early Life
Mapula Mafole was born on 18 July 1990 in Klerksdorp, the largest city in the North West Province, South Africa. She is the daughter of Moses and Monica. She moved with her family from Klerksdorp to Tshwane from Klerksdorp at the age of ten.
Her parents moved to the United Kingdom, leaving her in the care of her older sister, Tebogo, and her brother-in-law, DJ Christos. They cared for her until she left tertiary school. She has older brothers, Thabiso and Kabelo.
Living without her parents was hard for the young Mafole. She understood they made the tough decision to provide financially for their family.
Education
Mafole enrolled in an acting course at Afda.
Career
Mapula Mafole completed her acting course and landed her debut television role as School Girl in Intersexions.
Her performance earned her more roles as a Guest Star in Generations: The Legacy and Mapula in the eTV soap opera Rhythm City. She continued to star in the series until the show ended in 2021.
The actress is a three-time South African Film and Television Awards nominee. Her role as Mapula earned her a nomination in 2018. She has appeared in many other series including played the drama Saints and Sinners, where she played Busi.
Mafole played Zenani in the SABC1 drama Soul City and Ntombi in the e.tv drama Z’bondiwe. Playing Thina in the SABC1 legal drama series Sokhulu & Partners further thrust the actress into the spotlight.
The actress played a social media troll, Rea, in season three of the 1Magic drama series Unmarried. The show premiered on 8 April 2022.
Personal Life
Mapula Mafole is dating musician and poet Phila Dlozi. The couple gosh over each other on their Instagram timeline, declaring their love for each other. She penned him a heartfelt message on his birthday.
Mafole went into depression after her father had a stroke. She couldn’t leave bed or go to classes. A lecturer contacted her and told her that she was failing. So, she knew she needed to see a psychologist. Fortunately, her father survived the stroke.
Sadly, the actress lost her father in October 2023.
Mapula has always loved music – gospel, soul, house. Staying around her brother-in-law during her teenage years influenced her positively. Although she cannot sing, she started practicing how to DJ.
Mapula Mafole has a baby face, which often confuses people and helps her play a 17-year-old girl on Rhythm City.
Filmography
- Generations as Guest Star
- Intersexions as School Girl
- Rhythm City as Mapula
- Saints and Sinners as Busi
- Sokhulu & Partners as Thina
- Soul City as Zenani
- Unmarried as Rea
- Z’bondiwe as Ntombi