Kamogelo Maree is a South African actress and rising television personality known for breaking barriers in the entertainment industry as a performer living with visual impairment. She gained national recognition for portraying Thoriso More on the popular South African television soap opera Scandal!. Her career has become a symbol of resilience, representation, and inclusivity for people living with disabilities in the arts. The actress is 29 years old as of 2026.

✅ Quick Facts

Early Life and Background

Kamogelo Maree was born on 6 November 1996 in Kagiso, a township located in the West Rand of Gauteng Province. Growing up in Kagiso, she was surrounded by a vibrant community known for producing talented individuals in music, sports, and performing arts. From a young age, Maree showed a strong interest in storytelling, performance, and drama. (1

Her early years were shaped by a combination of creativity and personal challenges. Despite experiencing vision problems that later developed into significant visual impairment, Maree remained determined to pursue her passion for acting. Rather than viewing her condition as a limitation, she embraced it as part of her identity and a motivation to succeed.

Maree attended Hoërskool Jan de Klerk in Krugersdorp, where she participated in school activities such as drama performances and public speaking. These experiences helped her develop confidence and refine her acting abilities. (2)

Vision Impairment and Personal Challenges

One of the defining aspects of Kamogelo Maree’s life is her visual impairment. She lives with partial blindness, a condition that has gradually affected her eyesight over time. Some reports suggest that the condition may be linked to Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare disorder that causes progressive loss of vision due to damage to the retina. (3)

Retinitis Pigmentosa typically begins with symptoms such as night blindness and tunnel vision before potentially leading to severe vision loss. Although the exact details of Maree’s condition have not been fully disclosed publicly, it is known that she has adapted to her changing vision while continuing to pursue her career. (4)

Her ability to navigate everyday life and the demanding environment of a television set demonstrates remarkable determination. Rather than allowing her disability to define her, Maree has used it as a platform to promote awareness and representation for people with disabilities.

Early Acting Journey

Before appearing on television, Maree developed her acting skills through local theatre productions and stage performances in Gauteng. These community performances gave her practical experience in acting and allowed her to experiment with different roles. (5)

Performing in stage productions helped her build confidence and learn how to connect with audiences. Live theatre also taught her adaptability—an essential skill for someone navigating both acting and visual impairment.

During this time, Maree nurtured a dream she had held since childhood: appearing on television and becoming a professional actress. She later described television as the platform where she truly wanted to build her career. (6)

Breakthrough Role in Television

Kamogelo Maree’s big break came in 2024, when she joined the cast of the popular South African soap opera Scandal! on e.tv. She was cast as Thoriso More, the sister of the character Thapelo “Taps” More.

The role was significant for several reasons:

• Thoriso is written as a visually impaired character, making Maree’s casting authentic.
• The show intentionally sought an actress living with a disability for the role.
• It marked one of the few times a South African soap opera cast a visually impaired actor to portray a visually impaired character.

Maree auditioned after hearing about the opportunity through her college network and described the experience as “taking a leap of faith.” (7)

Her performance quickly gained attention from audiences, who praised the authenticity and emotional depth she brought to the character.

Working as a Visually Impaired Actress

Acting with limited vision presents unique challenges, especially in television production where blocking, camera angles, and movement are essential. Maree uses several tools and strategies to work effectively on set.

Technology Assistance

To memorize scripts and prepare for scenes, she uses:

• JAWS screen-reading software on her computer
• Voice-reading features such as Siri on her phone

These tools read scripts aloud, allowing her to study lines independently. (8)

Collaboration on Set

Directors and crew members adapt production methods to support her work, including:

• Providing detailed verbal descriptions of scenes and camera positions
• Allowing additional rehearsal time
• Ensuring strong physical and spatial awareness between actors during scenes

Over time, Maree became comfortable navigating the set and described learning the studio layout “like the back of my hand.” (9)

Representation and Advocacy

Kamogelo Maree has become an important figure in promoting representation for differently-abled performers in South Africa. She often speaks about misconceptions surrounding visually impaired actors, including the belief that they cannot perform complex actions or express emotions effectively.

She argues that people with disabilities can perform a wide range of roles and should not be limited to characters defined solely by disability. According to Maree, representation in media can help challenge stereotypes and encourage greater inclusivity in the entertainment industry.

Her presence on television has inspired many viewers—particularly young people with disabilities—by demonstrating that physical challenges do not have to limit creative ambition.

Personal Life

Although she is a public figure, Kamogelo Maree keeps much of her personal life private. While some reports suggest that she may be in a relationship, she rarely shares details about her romantic life publicly. (10)

Outside of acting, Maree is active on social media where she shares glimpses of her daily life, faith, and career experiences. Her posts often reflect positivity, gratitude, and encouragement for others facing challenges.

Impact and Legacy

Although still early in her career, Kamogelo Maree is already making a meaningful impact in South African entertainment. Her role on Scandal! has helped highlight the importance of inclusive casting and storytelling.

She represents a new generation of actors who are redefining what representation looks like in television and film. Through her work, Maree demonstrates that talent, dedication, and determination matter far more than physical limitations.

Her journey continues to inspire audiences and aspiring performers across South Africa and beyond.