Momo Matsunyane

Kgomotso “MoMo” Matsunyane is a South African theatre practitioner, playwright, actor, and director. She is best known for her work in contemporary South African theatre and for receiving the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Theatre in 2023.

Early life and education Matsunyane was born into a family involved in the performing arts and began acting as a child. She is the daughter of Neo Matsunyane, a director and actor, and was named after her aunt, radio and television personality Kgomotso Matsunyane.

She earned an Honours degree in Dramatic Arts from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2012, majoring in performance, film, and television.

Career Matsunyane has worked professionally in theatre since 2004. She has performed in numerous stage productions, films, and television shows, and has been recognised with multiple awards and nominations. Her credits include major productions such as Hlakanyana: The Musical, which won multiple Naledi Theatre Awards in 2023.

Her work has been featured at major festivals and venues in South Africa, and she has directed and written plays that explore social and cultural themes. Matsunyane also served as festival director for the Zwakala Festival and continues to mentor emerging theatre artists.

Theatre Year Title Role/Position Venue/Production Company Notes Ref 2004 Thetha Msawawa 2 Actor Market Theatre Early professional acting role 2010 Animal Farm Actor Wits Theatre Supporting role in stage adaptation 2015 Hlakanyana: The Musical Actor & Director Market Theatre Won multiple Naledi Theatre Awards in 2023 2020 The Call Actor Johannesburg Theatre Stage adaptation of film; supporting role 2022 Levels Actor Mzansi Magic Theatre Television and stage hybrid production

Television Year Title Role Notes Ref 2004 Thetha Msawawa 2 — Early drama series Naledi Theatre Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Musical Hlakanyana: The Musical Best Original Score/Soundscape Best Male Lead Performance Best Female Lead Performance

Published works Matsunyane's first book, Plays by MoMo Matsunyane Volume 1, was released in 2025 and includes three of her acclaimed plays.