Adding to his joy, the actor recently celebrated his umembeso, a significant traditional pre-wedding ceremony, marking a major milestone in his personal life.
In an interview with Sowetan Live, Mthembu expressed his excitement and surprise at the recognition of his work. “I’m still shocked but excited at the same time. It’s been a long time coming. I’ve put in the work for over five years, and these nominations are just affirmations that I’m on the right track when it comes to my craft,” he said.
Mthembu has been nominated for his performances in The River, Adulting, Shaka iLembe, and Outlaws, including two nominations for Best Actor in a TV Drama. Displaying his characteristic humor and confidence, Mthembu quipped, “I’m hoping to take all the Saftas,” before adding, “even if I walk away with one award, that will make me happy. Since the awards are not voted for by the public, I hope the judges will reward us accordingly.”
For Mthembu, each nomination is a significant honor. “To me, there’s no big or small award, a Safta is a Safta. It’s actually a South African Oscar, and I’m ready to own one,” he stated proudly.
Despite the accolades, Mthembu emphasized that his passion for acting goes beyond winning awards. “I don’t necessarily do what I do for awards or accolades. I just do what I have to and deliver the best performance. I’m more focused on telling the story as genuine and authentic as possible. It’s so heartwarming to be received this way by South Africans,” he shared.
Reflecting on his career, Mthembu fondly recalled 2023 as a pivotal year. “I must say, I enjoyed 2023. I feel like I owned that year, and this year I’m just reaping the rewards,” he said.
As he turns 30, Mthembu considers playing Dingiswayo in Shaka iLembe a dream come true. “Obviously, like you, everyone loves Bonga (Adulting), but I’m leaning more towards Dingiswayo. I remember learning about Shaka in high school and how badly I wanted to play the role.”
Mabutho from The River, Mthembu’s first TV role, also holds a special place in his heart. “I learned a lot about the industry and how set life works. I got exposed to quite a lot playing that role,” he recalled.
On the personal front, Mthembu opened up about his long-term relationship with the mother of his six-year-old daughter. “What people don’t know is that I’ve been off the market for years now. I’ve been in a relationship for close to a decade,” he revealed. With their traditional wedding approaching, Mthembu dismissed concerns about disappointed admirers. “As much as people say that women are crushed that I’m taken, I just feel that they’re pretending. All these women have people, so what are they really sad about? Don’t I also deserve to have my person?”
Balancing his demanding career and family life is a priority for the actor, who takes pride in fatherhood. “I enjoy fatherhood. I’m trying to raise my daughter the right way. I want her to be more free-spirited than me and be a well-rounded young woman. I wish her nothing but the best in life,” he said with pride.