Ayakha Ntunja

Ayakha Ntunja
Born
Ayakha Ntunjas

2004 (age 21–22)
Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
EducationNational School of the Arts
Occupations
  • Actress
  • influencer
Years active2019–present
Notable work

Ayakha Ntunja (born 2004) is a South African actress, dancer and influencer. She is best known for her notable roles playing the lead role in a Showmax television series Youngins (2024–2025) as Amo and starring role in Mzansi Magic drama series Inimba (2025–present) as Qhawe Mabandla.

Career

Ntunja began her acting career in 2016 featured in theatre, where she upgraded her acting and writing skills and made her first television debut in 2021 playing the role of Dudu in Showmax film Pearls of Wisdom.[1][2] She also landed roles in other television series including Ntash, Ubizo Lakhe and Ke Bona Spoko.[3][4] In 2023, she portrayed as Thembi in season 3 of MTV Shuga: Down South.[5][6] In 2024, she landed her first lead role as Amo in the Showmax youth drama series Youngins and played the supporting role in a short film Intlawulo as Ovayo with Kealeboga Masango.[7][8][9] In early 2025, she played a starring in Mzansi Magic drama series Inimba as Qhawe Mabandla.[10][11][12] By September 2025, she played the main role as Vazu in the film Loved Out.[13][14][15] Ntunja made her magazine cover in True Love Magazine, a leading magazine in South Africa for April to June 2026.[16]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2021 Pearls of Wisdom Dudu Main role
Ntash Aviwe Lead role
2022 Ubizo Lakhe – Lead role
Ke Bona Spoko Zinzi Main role
Minno Wa Lerato Portia Lead role
2024 Intlawulo Owayo Main role

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2023 MTV Shuga: Down South Thembi Supporting role, season 3
2024–2025 Youngins Amo Lead role, season 1–3
2026–present Inimba Qhawe Mabandla Main role, season 1

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Nominated works Result Ref.
2019 Festival of Excellence in Dramatic Arts Acting Award Herself Won [17]
2020 Best Performer Full Colours Awards Best Choreographer of the Year Herself Won [18]
Best Dancer of the Year Won
2026 Africa Choice Awards Most Promising Movie Star of the Year Herself Pending [19]

References

  1. ↑ Gaanakgomo, Constance (2024-02-20). "'A dream come true': Ayakha Ntunja on being Youngins' leading lady". News24. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  2. ↑ Wabwile, Alice (2025-07-14). "Meet Ayakha Ntunja, the actress who plays Amo in Youngins". Briefly. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  3. ↑ Khulu, Ntombi (2024-02-27). "Youngins' Ayakha Ntunja on her first lead role". News24. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  4. ↑ Gaanakgomo, Constance (2025-05-06). "'Inimba captured my heart': Ayakha Ntunja on playing Qhawe on Mzansi Magic". News24. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  5. ↑ Seemela, Masego (2023-06-22). "Rising stars get their big break on MTV Shuga". Sowetan. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  6. ↑ Tebele, Mbali (2024-02-23). "Former MTV Shuga Down South Star Ayakha Ntunja Talks About Her Role on Youngins". Briefly. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  7. ↑ Tjiya, Emmanuel (2024-06-19). "An incandescent star: Ayakha Ntunja". Sowetan. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  8. ↑ "Ayakha Ntunja chats about landing her first lead role on Showmax's 'Youngins'". TimesLIVE. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  9. ↑ Ngenyane, Andiswa (2024-02-18). "Actress' mistake turns into blessing!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  10. ↑ Mdaka, Zintle (2025-02-27). "Ayakha Ntunja to star on 'Inimba'". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  11. ↑ Sibiya, Sibongumenzi (2025-05-09). "Inimba actress' passion for storytelling!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  12. ↑ Sibiya, Sibongumenzi (2025-04-19). "Rising actor: Success is not all about luxury!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  13. ↑ Mpapu, Hopewell (2025-09-23). "Actress Ayakha Ntunja is booked and busy as she stars in Loved Out, Inimba and Youngins". News24. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  14. ↑ Jacobs, Craig (2025-09-20). "Local stars turn out for 'Loved Out' premiere". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  15. ↑ Komana, Itumeleng (2025-09-19). "Actress Ayakha Ntunja on Youngins S3 plus premiere of new film Loved Out". News24. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  16. ↑ Tleane, Lebo (2026-04-24). "Ayakha Ntunja Shines As the Cover Star of A Leading Magazine". Youth Village. Retrieved 2026-04-25.
  17. ↑ Khulu, Ntombi (2024-02-27). "Youngins' Ayakha Ntunja on her first lead role". News24. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  18. ↑ Wabwile, Alice (2025-07-14). "Meet Ayakha Ntunja, the actress who plays Amo in Youngins". Briefly. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  19. ↑ Tleane, Lebo (2025-11-10). "10 Interesting Facts About Inimba's Ayakha Ntunja (Qhawekazi Mabandla)". Youth Village. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
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