Khosi Ngema on young love, laughter, and her first comedy role on Meet The Khumalos

For her first-ever comedy role, Khosi Ngema brings heart, humour, and raw honesty to the screen as Sphe—the girl-next-door navigating love, family, and her own voice

We caught up with her following the success of Meet The Khumalos. Here she opens up about what drew her to the role, working alongside South African icons like Ayanda Borotho and Khanyi Mbau. She also shares how this project became a personally healing experience, both on and off screen.

lifestyle

Man Candy: Jesse Suntele on his role as Sizwe on Meet The Khumalos

Khosi Ngema opens up about tackling her first comedy role on Meet The Khumalos, Image: Supplied

Glamour: What was your first reaction when you read the script for Meet The Khumalos?

Khosi: When I read the script I found it heartwarming and hilarious and I couldn’t wait to start filming. I’ve never done a comedy before, so this was quite exciting in contrast to the drama and thrillers I’ve done before!

Glamour: How would you describe Sphe, and what drew you to her character?

Khosi: Sphe is your girl-next-door—literally, haha—but also she’s kind, artistic, follows her heart, and has a beautiful relationship with her mother. What drew me to her the most was her dynamic with her mom as well as with Sizwe. The whole star-crossed lovers dynamic was exciting to play. She felt relentless in her love for others.

Glamour: What was it like working alongside industry legends like Khanyi Mbau and Ayanda Borotho?

Khosi: Working with Ayanda was so special. I really enjoyed playing our mother-daughter relationship—it was almost healing. We got to bond over our own personal experiences with that topic. She’s lovely and a talented professional! And working with Khanyi and everyone else was truly a treat. She’s so cool, and I admire her authenticity, her alignment with herself, and her respect for her craft. I learned a lot from her directly and indirectly, just from observing how she treats everyone with respect and shows up prepared every day.

Glamour: The show explores young love and family dynamics. How did you relate to Sphe’s experience?

Khosi: I related to how she wears her heart on her sleeve, yet is also soft and a bit coy in her romantic relationship, while having an underlying firecracker energy. I appreciated getting to tap into that energy.

GLAMOUR: Tell us about your chemistry with Alizwa Sikhafungana and Jesse Suntele on set.

Khosi: It was good! They’re both lovely and we had easy banter, which I believe helps a lot on screen. They’re also great actors, so chemistry wasn’t hard to cultivate. There’s a scene I really enjoyed (which didn’t make the cut) between myself and Alizwa—we both felt that strong sister bond. I adore her! And with Jesse, he was such a professional and a generous acting partner. We tried to have each other's backs whenever we were unsure about how to approach a scene, and it helped a lot!

GLAMOUR: Did any behind-the-scenes moments stand out for you?

Khosi: Just every day on set being fun and all of us being unserious during the most random moments. For example, Sphe and Sizwe’s breakup and the mom’s confrontation scene was unexpectedly so funny to shoot because we all couldn’t stop cracking up at a line Bonga said that wasn’t kept in the final cut—but I’m certain we’ll have that as an inside joke for a while, haha.

GLAMOUR: How was the experience of working with Netflix different from other productions you’ve been part of?

Khosi: Well, I’ve mostly worked with Netflix for most of my career and it’s always a joy. Production quality on and off screen is always top-tier, and they make sure the cast is well taken care of. They’ve set quite a high standard in SA film that I hope to achieve as a filmmaker one day. I’m looking forward to seeing how they continue to invest in African stories.

GLAMOUR: What did you learn from working on this project, both personally and professionally?

Khosi: Working on this project was personally a healing experience, as someone with a sometimes complicated family dynamic. I learned about fighting for the relationships I care most about—and what it looks like to be fought for. Professionally, I learned a lot just from observing my fellow colleagues—their professionalism and dedication to their craft was inspiring. Also, this being my first comedy, I learned about comedic timing and being a piece of the puzzle in a comedy film. I can’t wait to explore the genre more in future! As an aspiring film director, I also learned a lot from our director, Jayan Moodley. She is always ready and willing to share her knowledge and resources—she’s definitely someone who’s invested in supporting young talent and creatives.

GLAMOUR: How did the dynamic between the two families reflect real-life experiences for you?

Khosi: I can’t personally relate to the two family dynamics, but I resonated with how they both have strong, fiercely loving matriarchs. It was energising and heartwarming to play as a Sithole.

GLAMOUR: If there’s a sequel, what would you love to explore with Sphe’s character?

Khosi: I would love to see how Sphe grows as an individual in her own interests and her career. Perhaps a new dynamic in her relationship with Sizwe—to see how they navigate life after school as adults.