City honours local actress
Thembsie has displayed a passion for her craft and has crept into the hearts of many South Africans.
Actress Nomathemba “Thembsie” Matu, better known as Petronella from The Queen fame, was honoured with a 2019 Excellence Award at the City of Ekurhuleni’s council meeting on Thursday.
Nomathemba, born in Katlehong, has been in the art industry for over 30 years, having started her career under the tutelage of Gibson Kente. She has acted in multiple TV shows such as Muvhango, Skeem Saam, The Lab, Thandeka’s Diary, Rockville, MTV Shuga, Abo Mzala, Intsika, Tshisa and Zone 14.
She has also appeared on multiple TV commercials and is currently the ambassador for Cell C.
She was nominated for the SAFTA’s Best Supporting Actress award in 2018 and has won the following awards: The Curious AMA award for most underrated actress in 2014, Diva of the Year at last year’s Feather Awards, The Viewer’s Choice award for best actress and the Ultimate Viewer’s Choice award in 2018.
Speaker of Council Clr Patricia Kumalo said: “As the City, we must celebrate and recognise our own talent, especially when our artists achieve at the highest level, as Nomathemba did. She has displayed a passion for her craft and has crept into the hearts of many South Africans.
“Today, the City of Ekurhuleni recognises her and honours her hard work, for making a name for herself in such a cut-throat industry is not an easy feat.”
Nomathemba thanked the City of Ekurhuleni council for recognising her efforts and spoke emotively about her plans to use her talent in uplifting the youth of Ekurhuleni.
