Bio
Siyabonga Thwala (sometimes credited as Siyabonga Twala) is a South African actor best known for his role as the ruthless publisher Vusi Zwane in the e.tv soapie Scandal!, from 10 January 2005 to 21 May 2007.
He starred as Paul Mashaba, Kenneth's (Seputla Sebogodi) brother, on the SABC1 soapie Generations, from 2007-2010.
Born and raised in the Umlazi Township in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Thwala began acting in 1989.
He made his screen acting debut in the 1996 made-for-TV movie Born Free: A New Adventure. In the same year he played a cameo in an episode of the television series Tarzan: The Epic Adventures entitled "Tarzan and the Scarlet Diamond" (Season 1, Episode 5).
In 1998 he was offered the role of Godlieb Mofokeng in the new SABC3 soapie Isidingo, but turned it down as he felt he was not ready for a longterm commitment to television. The role went to Rapulana Seiphemo instead.
By way of compromise Thwala agreed to play the lesser role of J, a former liberation-struggle cadre, for a short stint.
In 2003 he played the recurring role of Jimmy on the second season of the SABC1 drama series Gaz'lam, for six episodes. He also played the role of Dali in the SABC1 drama series Soul City.
In theatre he has appeared in the shows Burning Blue, Janice Honeyman's Turkish Delight, Aladdin and Blues Brothers, for which he won a Vita award.
In 2005 he landed the leading role of newspaper publisher Vusi Zwane on e.tv's new soapie Scandal!. He left the series in February 2007, but his character was only killed off in May.
In October 2007 he won the Golden Horn for Best Actor in a TV Soap at the second annual South African Film and Television Academy awards (SAFTAs), for his role in Scandal!.
In August 2007 he made his first appearance in Generations, as Kenneth Mashaba's brother Paul. He played the role until 2010.
He also has a starring role as Mpiyakhe Zungu, a high profile taxi boss and savvy political player and leader, in the Mzansi Magic telenovela-turned-soap-opera isiBaya. He won the inaugural Outstanding Lead Actor award at the Royalty Soapie Awards in March 2014 for this role.
In June 2013 he joined SABC2 soapie Muvhango in the role of Busani Mojalefa.
Late in 2013 he joined the e.tv soapie Rhythm City as DH Radebe, a tall, dark and handsome mogul who sweeps Lucilla and Gail off their feet and tramples all over David Genaro's territory. His first appearance was on Tuesday 10 December.