{{ai-generated|date=May 2026}} {{Short description|South African filmmaker, television and film producer, actor and musician}} {{Infobox person | name = Mandla Ngcongwane | image = <!-- Add file name when available --> | alt = | caption = Mandla N at Black Brain Pictures studio | birth_name = Mandla Ngcongwane | birth_date = 9 April 1980 | birth_place = South Africa | occupation = Film producer, director, actor, screenwriter, musician, entrepreneur | years_active = 2000–present | known_for = Founder of Black Brain Pictures; ''City Ses'La''; ''Lockdown''; ''DiepCity''; ''The Black Door''; Media City Studios | organisation = Black Brain Pictures; Black Brain Music; Black Brain Academy; Media City | notable_works = ''City Ses'La'', ''Ses'Top La'', ''Lockdown'', ''DiepCity'', ''The Black Door'', ''Piano Love'' | spouse = <!-- Not publicly disclosed --> | children = <!-- Not publicly disclosed --> }}
'''Mandla Ngcongwane''' (born 9 April 1980) publicly known as '''Mandla N''' is a South African award-winning filmmaker, television and film producer, actor and musician.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adeaga |first=Favour |date=2021-05-27 |title=Mandla N biography: age, wife, TV shows, profiles, net worth – Briefly.co.za |url=https://briefly.co.za/100902-mandla-n-biography-age-wife-tv-shows-profiles-net-worth.html |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=briefly.co.za |language=en}}</ref> He is the founder and creative director of production company Black Brain Pictures.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-20 |title=Black Brain Pictures and Media City Academy host open day |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2025-06-20-black-brain-pictures-and-media-city-academy-host-open-day/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en}}</ref> Over more than two decades, he has produced, directed and acted in some of the country's most popular television dramas, comedies and films, while also contributing to South African music production and soundtracks.
== Early life and education == Mandla N was born in Pimville, Soweto, South Africa. He attended high school at De La Salle College.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2018-10-17 |title=Mandla N telling relatable stories |url=https://www.sowetan.co.za//sundayworld/lifestyle/2018-10-17-mandla-n-telling-relatable-stories/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=Sowetan |language=en}}</ref> He studied at the film school AFDA, where he graduated in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mandla N. {{!}} TVSA |url=https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=5485 |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=www.tvsa.co.za}}</ref> In 2004, in his final year at university, he co-founded Black Brain Pictures.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-09-14 |title=Mandla N on the art of Directing |url=https://gautengfilm.org.za/2022/09/mandla-n-on-the-art-of-directing/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=Gauteng Film Commission |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zuma |first=Mbalenhle |date=2024-06-11 |title=Youth must be more aggressive in taking up space – Mandla N |url=https://sundayworld.co.za/celebrity-news/youth-must-be-more-aggressive-in-taking-up-space-mandla-n/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=Sunday World |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
== Career and major works ==
=== Film, television and production === In 2004, he co-founded Black Brain Pictures. The company produced the sitcom ''City Ses'La'' and its spin-off ''Ses'Top La'', in which he played the role Themba Khumalo.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-19 |title=Mandla N reflects on 21 years of telling stories that matter & making his voice heard |url=https://www.sowetan.co.za//entertainment/2021-12-19-mandla-n-reflects-on-21-years-of-telling-stories-that-matter--making-his-voice-heard/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=Sowetan |language=en}}</ref> Among Black Brain Pictures’ productions are ''DiepCity''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-07 |title='It's never easy wrapping a show' -Mandla N on 'DiepCity' coming to an end |url=https://www.sowetan.co.za//entertainment/2023-03-07-its-never-easy-wrapping-a-show-mandla-n-on-diepcity-coming-to-an-end/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=Sowetan |language=en|last=Gaanakgomo|first=Constance}}</ref>
In 2023, Mandla N announced a new 13-episode comedy series (about divorce) on Mzansi Magic titled ''Lenyalo Ha se Papadi''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-02 |title=Mandla N celebrates 25 years in film with a new comedy show about divorce |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2023-01-02-mandla-n-celebrates-25-years-in-film-with-a-new-comedy-show-about-divorce/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en|last=Mphande|first=Joy}}</ref> In 2024, he purchased the former Urban Brew Studios facility in Randburg and rebranded it as Media City. The studio is used for TV production in South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-07 |title=#Levels {{!}} Mandla N buys a film studio |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2024-06-07-levels--mandla-n-buys-a-film-studio/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en}}</ref>
Mandla N opened a training initiative, the Black Brain Academy, aimed at mentoring young creatives and offering them access to the film industry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mathobela |first=By Phuti |title=Mandla N gives young creatives a shot |url=https://www.snl24.com/dailysun/celebs/mandla-n-gives-young-creatives-a-shot-20230201 |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=Daily Sun |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mdaka |first=Zintle |date=2024-06-10 |title=Mandla N raises the bar as he buys a film studio |url=https://www.bona.co.za/entertainment/mandla-n-raises-the-bar-as-he-buys-a-film-studio/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=Bona Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Music and soundtrack work === Mandla's musical background started with a group called Gang of Instrumentals. His company's music arm, Black Brain Music, produced the soundtrack for ''Lockdown''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TK |first=Dennis |date=2018-10-06 |title=Lockdown's official soundtrack released |url=https://news365.co.za/lockdowns-official-s/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=News365.co.za |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>[https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/black-brain-pictures-lockdown-soundtrack/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/black-brain-pictures-lockdown-soundtrack/]</ref>{{AI-retrieved source|date=February 2026}} The release featured contributions from several artists, including Maskandi vocalist Nelisiwe Sibiya, and included songs such as ''"Mama ka Bafana."'' Mandla N described the project as "a blessing" and a pivotal multimedia venture for him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Masemola |first=Mokgethwa |title=LOCKDOWN SOUNDTRACK RELEASED! |url=https://www.snl24.com/dailysun/news/entertainment/lockdown-soundtrack-released-20181005 |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=Daily Sun |language=en-US}}</ref>
Talking about his film Piano Love (a project he self-financed and sold to Netflix) Mandla N emphasised that the film was meant to represent "the state of the music scene in South Africa today." He cast rapper Kwesta and choreographer/performer Bontle Modiselle to ensure authenticity in portraying township music and culture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mochele |first=Samantha |date=2024-07-31 |title=Mandla Ngcongwane shares how 'Piano Love' came to life |url=https://www.bona.co.za/entertainment/mandla-ngcongwane-shares-how-piano-love-came-to-life/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=Bona Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-31 |title=Mandla N on casting Kwesta and Bontle Modiselle for Netflix's 'Piano Love' |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2024-07-31-mandla-n-on-casting-kwesta-and-bontle-modiselle-for-netflixs-piano-love/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en}}</ref>
== Filmography ==
* City Ses’La (sitcom) * Ses'Top La (sitcom spinoff) * Lockdown (drama series) * DiepCity (drama/telenovela) * The Black Door (drama series) * Piano Love (film, Netflix) * Lenyalo Ha se Papadi (13-part comedy series)
== Personal life == Mandla N was in a long-term relationship with his former co-star Tumi Masemola. They separated in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ngenyane |first=Andiswa |title=Mandla N's ex addresses 2 mitha 'theft' drama |url=https://www.snl24.com/dailysun/celebs/actress-tumi-m-opens-up-on-her-break-up-with-mandla-n-20250324 |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=Daily Sun |language=en-US}}</ref> On 7 December 2025, Mandla N and Miss Universe SA 2025 Melissa Nayimuli announced their engagement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nontsele |first=Chuma |title=Film director Mandla N and Miss Universe SA 2025 Melissa Nayimuli announce engagement |url=https://www.news24.com/drum/celebs/film-director-mandla-n-and-miss-universe-sa-2025-melissa-nayimuli-announce-engagement-20251208-0539 |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:South African film producers Category:South African television producers Category:South African film directors Category:South African actors Category:South African businesspeople Category:People from Soweto Category:Living people Category:1980 births