Don Mlangeni Nawa

He was born on 7 June 1959 in Boksburg, Union of South Africa.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-27 |title=Don Mlangeni Nawa career |url=https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=3101 |access-date=2020-11-27 |website=tvsa}}

He was married to Regina Nawa and had five children.

He died on 16 April 2025.{{cite web | url=https://southafrican-news.com/remembering-don-mlangeni-a-legend-of-south-african-television-passes-away/ | title=Remembering Don Mlangeni: A Legend of South African Television Passes Away - Latest News | date=16 April 2025 }}

Nawa started his acting career in the theatre. His first television credit was in the lead role of David in the Zulu television mini series Ubambo Lwami in 1989. In 1992 he had his breakthrough role as Zakhe in the drama serie Hlala Kwabafileyo. {{Cite journal |last=Kendall |date=June 1999 |title=The Role of Izangoma in Bringing the Zulu Goddess Back to Her People |url=https://doi.org/10.1162/105420499760265226 |journal=TDR/The Drama Review |volume=43 |issue=2 |pages=94–117 |doi=10.1162/105420499760265226 |issn=1054-2043}} In 1993, he made his first appearance in the popular comedy series 'Sgudi 'Snaysi in which he played a loan shark, often playing across co-star Joe Mafela. He starred in the series for five seasons.{{Cite web |last=Lesemane |first=Lineo |date=2025-04-16 |title='He always created magic out of the script': A look at Don Mlangeni Nawa's memorable TV roles |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/entertainment/tv/he-always-created-magic-out-of-the-script-a-look-at-don-mlangeni-nawas-memorable-tv-roles/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=The Citizen |language=en}} {{Cite web |last=Bhembe |first=Sebenzile |date=2025-04-16 |title=Veteran actor Don Mlangeni Nawa dies at 65 |url=https://independentnews.co.sz/12487/culture/entertainment/veteran-actor-don-mlangeni-nawa-dies-at-65/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Independent News |language=en-ZA}} In 1995 Nawa had a one-episode appearance in the Cycle Simenon series, a French crime series.{{Cite web |title="Cycle Simenon" (1989–1995) |url=https://en.kinorium.com/2610212/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Kinorium |language=en}}

Nawa became a household name in what is arguably his best known-role of as Bra Zeb Matabane in the iconic and long-running soap opera Isidingo. In 2006 he received a South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) Golden Horn Award for Best Actor in a TV Soap for his role.{{Cite news |last=Chironda |first=Melody |date=2025-04-16 |title=South Africa: Curtain Falls on Veteran Actor Don 'Bra Zeb' Mlangeni Nawa, 65 |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202504160229.html |access-date=2025-04-16 |work=allAfrica.com |language=en}} Part of the original cast that launched the series in 1998, he left the show in 2014 because of a dispute with the producers. {{Cite magazine |last=Engelbrecht (@leandram_engel) |first=Leandra |title=5 times 'Isidingo' paved the way for SA TV |url=https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/tv/5-times-isidingo-paved-the-way-for-sa-tv-20200310 |access-date=2025-04-16 |magazine=Life |language=en-US}}

In 2018, he took on the lead role of Moseki, a royal family member and younger brother of the queen, in the popular Mzansi Magic telenovela The Throne. That same year, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Royalty Soapie Awards for his contribution to the television industry.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-27 |title=Don Mlangeni Nawa to receive a Lifetime Achievement award |url=https://www.bona.co.za/don-mlangeni-nawa-to-receive-a-lifetime-achievement-award/ |access-date=2020-11-27 |website=bona}}

In 2019, Nawa made his film debut in the film Losing Lerato in the role of a SWAT Commander. In 2020, he joined the cast of the television series Legacy for two seasons. From 2021 to 2023 he starred inThe Estate playing Shadrack Mokobane, an activist defending the interest of his impoverished community in Thembalethu.{{cite web | url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2021-02-12-don-mlangeni-chats-about-the-estate--the-righteous-chaos-he-will-bring/ | title=Don Mlangeni chats about 'The Estate' & the 'righteous chaos' he will bring | work=TimesLIVE }} Also in 2023, he appeared in one episode of the hit series Shaka iLembe as King Langa.

Nawa's last appearance was in the Netflix South Africa drama series Soon Comes Night in 2024.

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• {{IMDb name|1412430|name=Don Mlangeni}}

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Category:1959 births

Category:2025 deaths

Category:South African male television actors

Category:South African male film actors

Category:Actors from Soweto

Category:People from Boksburg