{{short description|South African actor and model (1975-2021)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Mutodi Neshehe | other_names = | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date|1975|1|12|df=yes}} | birth_name = Mutodi Neshehe | birth_place = Soweto, South Africa | death_date = {{death date and age|2021|7|1|1975|1|12|df=yes}} | death_place = Soweto, South Africa | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | nationality = | alma_mater = | education = | height = | years_active = 1985–2020 | known_for = | spouse = Leslee Dalton | children = 2 | awards = | father = Joseph Neshehe | mother = Thelma Neshehe | relatives = | signature = | website = | footnotes = | occupation = Actor, Model }}
'''Mutodi Neshehe''' (12 January 1975 – 1 July 2021), was a South African actor and model.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actor Mutodi Neshehe has died |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2021-07-01-actor-mutodi-neshehe-has-died/ |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lindeque |first=Mia |title=Actor Mutodi Neshehe passes away at the age of 46 |url=https://ewn.co.za/2021/07/02/actor-mutodi-neshehe-passes-away-at-the-age-of-46 |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=ewn.co.za |language=en}}</ref> He is best known for the roles in the television serials and soap operas such as ''Muvhango'', Generations the legacy, ''Jacob's Cross'', ''Skwizas'' and ''Broken Vows''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morkel |first=Graye |title=South African actor Mutodi Neshehe has died |url=https://www.news24.com/channel/the-juice/news/south-african-actor-mutodi-neshehe-has-died-20210702-2 |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=Channel |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=4 moments Mutodi Neshehe stole Mzansi's heart |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2021-07-02-watch--4-moments-mutodi-neshehe-stole-mzansis-heart/ |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
==Personal life== Neshehe was born on 12 January 1975 in Meadowlands, Soweto, South Africa. His father Joseph Neshehe is a businessman, who started Lesedi Clinic with Dr. N. Motlana. His mother Thelma Neshehe is a popular actress. He studied Environmental Science, Computer Programming in high school. After completing his studies in USA, he became a graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.<ref name="TVSA">{{Cite web |title=Mutodi Neshehe: TVSA |url=https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=7800&sr=1 |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=www.tvsa.co.za}}</ref>
He was married to Leslee Dalton, who he met in North Carolina. She relocated to South Africa to be with Neshehe in 2004. They separated in 2018 but reconciled in November 2020. The couple had two children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morkel |first=Graye |title=Mutodi Neshehe's widow speaks about recent reconciliation: 'Mutodi passed knowing that I loved him' |url=https://www.news24.com/channel/the-juice/news/mutodi-neshehes-widow-speaks-about-recent-reconciliation-mutodi-passed-knowing-that-i-loved-him-20210709-2 |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=Channel |language=en-US}}</ref>
He died on 1 July 2021 after COVID-19 complications at the age of 46.<ref name="Neshehe">{{Cite web |title=Tributes pour in for TV star Mutodi Neshehe, a loving family man and friend |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2021-07-02-tributes-pour-in-for-tv-star-mutodi-neshehe-a-loving-family-man-and-friend/ |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=SowetanLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Veteran actor Mutodi Neshehe dies of Covid related complications |url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/celebrity-news/local/veteran-actor-mutodi-neshehe-dies-of-covid-related-complications-1ee731fd-9c9d-4a96-9675-e1a4fa9e1dae |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=www.iol.co.za |language=en}}</ref> A drive-through memorial service was held at 929 Casebella Estate, Taylor Road, Honeydew due to COVID-19 pandemic of the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Drive-through memorial service held for actor Mutodi Neshehe |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2021-07-07-watch-drive-through-memorial-service-held-for-actor-mutodi-neshehe/ |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref> The funeral service was started at 8am at Doxa Deo Church and the burial started at 11.30am at Westpark.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Everything he did was for his family,' friends celebrate Mutodi Neshehe at memorial |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2021-07-08-everything-he-did-was-for-his-family-friends-celebrate-mutodi-neshehe-at-memorial/ |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
==Career== Neshehe began acting at the age of four particularly in commercials. At the age of 10, he made film debut with ''Windrider'' directed by Darrell Roodt.<ref name="Neshehe" /> At the age of 14, he went to the USA for studies. During his teen years in USA, he participated in various drama programs. In the meantime, he became a model and worked for RBA Studios, North Carolina and Worldwide Modeling Group in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2004, Neshehe returned to South Africa. After that, he got the opportunity to enter television. In 2006, he joined the SABC2 soap opera ''Muvhango'' and played the role of "Ndalamo Mukwevho". His role became very popular, where he continued to play the role until November 2008.<ref name="TVSA" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Actor Mutodi Neshehe has died |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2021-07-02-actor-mutodi-neshehe-has-died/ |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=SowetanLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
In 2007, he acted in the Roodt's film ''Lullaby''. Then he appeared in the SABC3 comedy-drama ''One Way'' and the M-Net drama serial ''Jacob's Cross''. In 2008, he joined the fifteenth season of M-Net soapi opera ''Egoli: Place of Gold'' as a guest. In the same year, he made the minor role "Gym Instructor" in the SABC2 sitcom ''Skwizas'', ITV drama serial ''Wild at Heart'' and in the film ''Southern Cross''. Later in the same year, he was invited to perform in the fourth season of SABC2 dance reality competition ''Strictly Come Dancing'' as a celebrity dancer.<ref name="TVSA" />
In 2011, he appeared in the blockbuster ''Winnie Mandela'', ''Stealing Time'' and in 2012 film ''Little One'', all are directed by Roodt. He won the Best Achievement Award in Directing under Feature Film category at the 2013 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) for the role in ''Little One''. Apart from Roodt's films, he also acted in the 2011 film ''Elelwani'' directed by Ntshavheni Wa-Luruli and 2012 film ''Two Choices'' directed by Eugene Snyman.<ref name="Neshehe" /> In 2015, he again moved to television, where he appeared in the SABC1 soap opera ''Generations: The Legacy'' with the role "Zola".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lerato and Mutodi join Generations: The Legacy |url=https://www.news24.com/Channel/lerato-moloi-and-mutodi-neshehe-join-generations-the-legacy-20150529 |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=Channel |language=en-US}}</ref> In the Mzansi Magic drama series ''Rockville'' he made a guest role in the episode nine of fourth season in 2016. In the same year, he again made a guest role in an episode of the SABC2 sitcom ''Mamello''.<ref name="TVSA" />
In 2017, he made a recurring role of "Rendi" on the e.tv telenovela ''Broken Vows''. After that success, he played the role of "Mandla" in the e.tv drama serial ''Harvest''. Later in the year, he joined the cast of popular SABC2 soap opera ''7de Laan'' with the role "Carter".<ref name="TVSA" /> In 2020, he acted in the short ''Three Stops'' co-directed by Anton Ernst and Tati Golykh. For his role, he won the Special Jury Award for Best Supporting Actor at the Indie Short Fest. In the same time, he was also nominated for the Best Acting Duo with Tati Golykh at the IndieX Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mutodi Neshehe accolades |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4292121/awards |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=IMDb}}</ref>
==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Role !! Genre !! Ref. |- | 1985 || ''Windrider'' || child role || Film|| |- | 2006 || ''Muvhango'' || Ndalamo Mukwevho|| TV series|| |- | 2006 || ''One Way'' || Guest role || TV series|| |- | 2007 || ''Jacob's Cross'' || Ben Khumalo|| TV series|| |- | 2008 || ''Egoli: Place of Gold'' || Guest role|| TV series|| |- | 2010 || ''Skwizas'' || Gym Instructor || TV series|| |- | 2011 || ''Wild at Heart'' || James|| TV series|| |- | 2011 || ''Winnie Mandela'' || Jerry || Film|| |- | 2012 || ''Elelwani'' || King Ratshihule|| Film|| |- | 2013 || ''Little One'' || Detective Morena || Film|| |- | 2013 || ''Stealing Time'' || || Film|| |- | 2015 || ''Rise'' || Vincent Zondo|| TV movie|| |- | 2015 || ''Generations'' || Zola || TV series|| |- | 2016 || ''Mamello'' || Amos|| TV series|| |- | 2016 || ''Rockville'' || Alex|| TV series|| |- | 2016 || ''Happiness Is a Four-letter Word'' || Ntuthuko|| Film|| |- | 2016 || ''Zaziwa'' || Himself || TV series|| |- | 2017 || ''The Queen'' || Mike|| TV series|| |- | 2017 || ''Harvest'' || Mandla || TV series|| |- | 2017 || ''Broken Vows'' || Rendi|| TV series|| |- | 2017 || ''7de Laan'' || Carter || TV series|| |- | 2019 || ''Man in Crisis'' || || Film|| |- | 2020 || ''Three Stops'' || Maurice Cele || Short film|| |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4292121/ IMDb]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Neshehe, Mutodi}} Category:1975 births Category:2021 deaths Category:South African male film actors Category:People from Soweto Category:South African male television actors Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa