18/07/2026
THE GRANDMOTHER OF OUR SCREENS 👵🏾📺
Born on 27 September 1939 in Limpopo 🌿, 86-year-old Lydia Mokgokoloshi is one of South Africa's most treasured television legends. 🇿🇦 Before she ever appeared on our screens, she dedicated more than 20 years to teaching, shaping young minds in Soweto and Limpopo before beginning an extraordinary second career in acting. 🎭
Her breakthrough came in the late 1980s when she played the unforgettable Mma-Nkosheng in the Sepedi drama Bophelo ke Semphekgo. Her powerful portrayal of the feared and mean-spirited character captured the nation's attention, turning her into a household name almost overnight.
A younger generation came to know and love her as the warm, wise Koko Mantsha on SABC1's Skeem Saam 📺. For more than a decade, she brought comfort, guidance and love into Mzansi homes, becoming the grandmother many viewers wished they had.
Although she no longer keeps up with demanding television schedules, Lydia's contribution to South African entertainment continues to be celebrated. 🏆 In 2017, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) 🎖️—a fitting tribute to a woman whose remarkable career has inspired generations. 👑
