Bonko Khoza

Bonko Cosmo Khoza (born 13 August 1991) is a South African actor, director and producer. He is known for his breakthrough role of Mqhele Zulu in the Showmax drama series The Wife.

Khoza's film debut was in the 2015 feature film Necktie Youth, for which he received a nomination for Best Actor at the Tribeca Film Festival. His other films includes Beautifully Broken (2018), Office Invasion (2022), The Woman King (2022), Heart of the Hunter (2024) and The Drop (2024).

Early life and education Bonko Cosmo Khoza was born and raised in the South of Johannesburg, South Africa and is of Zulu descent.

Khoza matriculated in 2009 from National School of Arts after majoring in Fine Arts. He then enrolled at The Market Theatre Laboratory studying Performance and Theatre Skills Courses.

Career After his feature film debut in the 2015 film Necktie Youth, he went on to appear in the History Channel miniseries Roots. He then landed his first lead role in the 2018 American short drama film Beautifully Broken directed by Eric Welsh. In 2020 he starred as Mqhele Zulu in the Showmax drama series The Wife, based on the book by Dudu Busani-Dube of the same name. He received acclaim for his performance. He reprises his role in the second season. He left for the third season; his role was taken over by Wiseman Mncube. He then appeared as Zakhele on SABC 1 romantic comedy drama series 13 Weeks To Find Mr Right.

In 2022, he starred alongside Vuyo Dabula in the Netflix film Collision as Larry and joined the cast of the Disney animated series Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes voicing the character Daddy Jo. He also appeared alongside Viola Davis in Gina Prince Bythewood's The Woman King. He continued his TV appearances in series such as The Brave Ones, Professionals, Red Ink, and Mabaso Family Reunion: The Funeral and Marked.

In 2024, he landed the lead role in the Mzansi Magic supernatural fantasy telenovela Ithonga playing the dual roles Banele and Sanele Magwaza. He later starred as Zuko Khumalo on Deon Meyer's Netflix action film Heart of the Hunter with Connie Ferguson. In 2026 he starred in Showtime's The Nowhere Man.

Personal life Khoza married fellow actress Lesego Khoza in March 2021 after dating for 6 years. The couple welcomed their daughter Amahubo Khoza later.

Filmography +Key Denotes productions that have not yet been released

Film

Television Year Title Role 2020–2021 The Wife Mqhele Zulu 2021 13 Weeks To Find Mr Right Zakhele 2022 The Brave Ones Nkosi 2022–Present Professionals Akbar 2023–Present Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes Daddy Jo 2024 Red Ink Napelion/Sfiso/Sipho 2025 Mabaso Family Reunion: The Funeral BonganiLevels Steve 2025–PresentMarkedLingile Godongwane 2025-2026Ithonga Sanele / Banele Magwaza 2026–PresentThe Nowhere Man Lukaz