Skhumbuzo Mbatha is a South African actor known for his role on Skeem Saam as Meneer Manaka. Mbatha is also a radio presenter on Capricorn FM.
Full name: Skhumbuzo Mbatha
Date of birth: Unknown for now
Place of birth: Senaoane, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation: Actor and Radio presenter
Known for: Meneer Manaka from Skeem Saam
Nationality: South African
Skhumbuzo Mbatha was born in Seneoane, Soweto in Johannesburg. Mbatha is a South African actor and Radio presenter famous for portrayinv the 39+ year old Meneer Manaka in Skeem Saam. In spite of being born in Soweto, Mbatha had to attend school in Soweto because that’s where his mother worked.
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Career beginnings and Radio work
Skhumbuzo is famous for playing Meneer Manaka on Skeem Saam. A very enthusiastic teacher who encourages and pushes his students to work harder. On the show he pushed Kwaito to work hard and eventually pass the grade. In real life however, Mbatha is very chilled person with a very good sense of humour.
Skhumbuzo Mbatha had a very long running career on Thobile FM while jiggling it with his acting career. However, in 2018 he called it halts with the radio station. He was going back to Capricorn FM in Limpopo. The station welcomed him with open arms, however, a “not so great” explanation was given for his departure. Saying that he wanted to focus on other ventures.
Skhumbuzo started his presenting at Capricorn FM when it was still called Radio 1512, so this was just returning home. However, he had a pretty fun career at Thobela FM and was presenting the Afternoon drive show. Moreover, in 2015 while still at Thobela FM, Skhumbuzo won an award for Best Afternoon Drive Show Radio Presenter for the Ntshirologe show he was hosting on Thobela FM.
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Testing positive for Covid-19 and Personal life
On the 26th of June 2021, Skhumbuzo made it known to his fans that he had tested positive for Covid-19. This hit the news all over the internet and social media. A few days before this announcement, he had shared on his facebook that he wasn’t feeling particularly well. In fact he jokingly shared sentiments of fearing that he would “kick the bucket” too soon. However, few months from his diagnosis, Skhumbuzo is alive and well and fans are happy to have him back.
The Meneer Manaka portrayer is also a Father. He sometimes shares pictures with his family. Mbatha is also fairly a motorbike fanatic, sharing a lot of pictures with his motorbikes. However, this is not all he has, he also has a collection of cars especially mini coopers. Mbatha also prides himself in property collections such as mansions and house investments.
