// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Bonko Khoza? Khoza who?
Bonko Khoza | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bonko Cosmo Khoza 13 August 1991 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Other name | BK Khoza |
| Education | National School of Arts |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2021-present |
| Known for | The Wife as Mqhele Zulu |
| Notable work | |
| Spouse |
Lesego Khoza (m. 2021) |
Bonko Cosmo Khoza (born 13 August 1991)[1] is a South African actor, director and producer.[2] He is known for his breakthrough role of Mqhele Zulu in the Showmax drama series The Wife.[3]
Khoza's film debut was in the 2015 feature film Necktie Youth,[4] 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)[5] and The Drop (2024).
Early life and education
[edit]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.[6]
Career
[edit]After his feature film debut in the 2015 film Necktie Youth, he went on to appear in the History Channel miniseries Roots.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9][10] 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.[11] 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,[12][13] and Mabaso Family Reunion: The Funeral and Marked.[14]
In 2024, he landed the lead role in the Mzansi Magic supernatural fantasy telenovela Ithonga playing the dual roles Banele and Sanele Magwaza.[15] He later starred as Zuko Khumalo on Deon Meyer's Netflix action film Heart of the Hunter with Connie Ferguson.[16] In 2026 he starred in Showtime's The Nowhere Man.[17]
Personal life
[edit]Khoza married fellow actress Lesego Khoza in March 2021 after dating for 6 years.[18] The couple welcomed their daughter Amahubo Khoza later.[19][20][21]
Filmography
[edit]| † | Denotes productions that have not yet been released |
Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Nickiet Youth | Jabz |
| 2018 | Beautifully Broken | Mongezi Matt |
| 2022 | Office Invasion | Liam |
| Collision | Larry | |
| 2023 | The Woman King | Boma |
| Headspace | Norman (voice) | |
| 2024 | Heart of the Hunter | Zuko Khumalo |
| The Drop | Detective Mamela | |
| Spiral | Norman Warbton | |
Television
[edit]| 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 | Bongani |
| Levels | Steve | |
| 2025–Present | Marked | Lingile Godongwane |
| 2025-2026 | Ithonga | Sanele / Banele Magwaza |
| 2026–Present | The Nowhere Man | Lukaz |
References
[edit]- ↑ Zvikaramba, Tayananiswa (2025-08-13). "Bonko Khoza Celebrates 34th Birthday With Rare Childhood Photos: "It's the Remedy for Everything"". Briefly. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Mdaka, Zintle (2025-02-03). "Bonko Khoza adds film producer to his growing list of achievements". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Mbatha, Mbali. "Actor Bonko Khoza's talent levels up with each role". News24. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Tsewu, Siya. "From Mqhele on The Wife to action films and a wanna be priest - the many faces of Bonko Khoza". News24. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Miller, M. N. (2024-04-02). "Movie Review: 'Heart of The Hunter' Tracks the Fun of Classic Genre | InSession Film". insessionfilm.com. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ "About Bonko". Bonko Khoza. 2017-10-30. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ "LISTEN | Bonko Khoza gets candid about fame and how acting saved his life". TimesLIVE. 2023-09-07. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Maako, Compiled by Keitumetse. "Bonko Khoza exits The Wife". News24. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ team, Drum. "Wiseman Mncube is the new Mqhele on The Wife – 'I'm not here to replace Bonko but to start my own journey'". News24. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Mkhazi, Loyiso. "'We will miss Bonko' - Fans react to Wiseman Mncube being cast as The Wife's new Mqhele". News24. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ "Bonko Khoza in Disney Junior series, Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes". ECR. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Ngqabe, Xabiso. "'Nobody is born evil': Red Ink's Bonko Khoza on how he brought the character of a killer to life". News24. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ "Five minutes with Bonko Khoza on playing a convicted serial killer on 'Red Ink' and". TimesLIVE. 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ yomzansi (2025-07-09). "Netflix drama 'MARKED' releases in July". YOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTURE. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Keteyi, Oluthando (2022-12-06). "Bonko Khoza, Ayanda Borotho and Nelisiwe Sibiya to star in Mzansi Magic's 'iThonga'". Cape Times. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ "'Heart Of The Hunter' Trailer: Bonko Khoza and Connie Ferguson starrer 'Heart Of The Hunter' Official Trailer". The Times of India. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Ardrey, Taylor. "'The Nowhere Man' brings action, South African talent to global stage". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Mbendeni, Alutho. "Lesego Khoza on being married to Bonko, their love of God and her acting career". News24. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Maako, Keitumetse. "The Wife's Bonko Khoza and wife Lesego expecting first child". News24. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Digital, Drum. "Oh baby! Bonko Khoza and his wife Lesego are expecting their first child". News24. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Maako, Keitumetse. "'She's brought us closer': Lesego Khoza on firstborn, the birthing experience and more". News24. Retrieved 2026-04-14.