Actress and TV personality, Bahumi Madisakwane has come a long way in carving a path for herself, stepping away from what has become the norm for most kids of celebrity parents who became famous just for their parents. She is the only daughter of South African actor Somizi Mhlongo, who is also recognized for portraying the character of Zola in SABC’s Keeping Score.

With that said, shining a torch on her life will reveal that despite the successes she has achieved, she still lives in the shadows of her more famous father. Although she stars in her father’s reality show, Living The Dream With Somizi, for which she is also known, she has a life away from Somizi.

Quick Profile of Bahumi Madisakwane

• Date of Birth: 9 February 1995
• Place of birth: Johannesburg, Gauteng
• Age: 25 years old
• Parents: Palesa Madisakwane and Somizi Mhlongo
• Career: Actress and reality star

Bahumi Madisakwane Was Birthed to Somizi and Palesa Madisakwane

Madisakwane is a product of a relationship Somizi had with actress Palesa Madisakwane more than 25 years ago. The only daughter the pair had together, her parents had never been married as a result of the sexuality of Somizi.

Tracing back how he began his relationship with his daughter’s mother, the choreographer and celebrated TV personality revealed that at the time his path crossed with that of Palesa, he was sure he was not straight, but he believed that he was bisexual and not gay. He revealed that it was Palesa that approached him and told him she was attracted to him.

Somizi made it clear to the actress that he was bisexual and already in a relationship with another man. They had a discussion in which they agreed to continue dating since being bisexual he could date both males and females. They continued dating until he realized that he was actually gay and not bi. But by this time, the IsiBaya actress was already carrying a child for the Idols SA judge, which turned out to be their daughter, Bahumi.

When Somgaga found out Palesa was pregnant for him, he told her although he was ready to be the father of his child, he did not have to be in a relationship with her since he was gay. They both agreed to parent their daughter without being an item, and since then, they remained friends and parents to their daughter.

How Old Is Bahumi Madisakwane?

It was on 9 February 1995 that Bahumi Madisakwane was born in Johannesburg, Gauteng. What this means is that she is currently 25 years old.

When she was born, her parents were still very young and making strides in the entertainment industry. Somizi was only 23 years old when Bahumi was born while Palesa was just 20. Even though they were considerably young when they had her, Bahumi’s parents still did a remarkable job with raising her, considering the situation in which they were in.

Even though she was brought up with both her parents fully involved in her life, she was raised by her mother who would go on to have two more kids; a son and a daughter from her marriage to Jakes Mocuminyane. It is not clear when the Generations actress married the businessman, but it is known that the union came to an end in 2014 with two kids between them; Khumo and Mohumi. Since then, the actress has continued raising her three kids.

She Has Had A Slow Rise To Fame

Being a product of celebrity parents who have great careers in the entertainment industry, it is only normal that one would expect that Bahumi Madisakwane also follows the path of her parents; she has not disappointed.

She is a woman who is blessed with beauty, talent, and brains, but she did not get to start her career as early as her father who became an actor when he was only 13 years old. But then, she has started appearing in commercials since she was a little girl, which means she was exposed to the camera at a very young age.

When she was growing up, Bahumi was mostly shielded from the limelight until she was pretty much old enough to decide she also wanted to make a life for herself following in the footsteps of her famous parents. Nonetheless, she insisted that she was not following in their footsteps, but they were only influential in her decision to follow the path she has decided.

The beautiful actress had already landed roles in sole local productions by the time she was 22, but what would become her most recognized role was her portrayal of Zola in the aforementioned SABC production, Keeping Score. She has also been a part of her father’s reality TV show, Living The Dream With Somizi. Bahumi has been on the show since the first season.

Getting To Play Young Lebo In Her Biopic

One of the most significant roles that Bahumi Madisakwane got to play was in Dream: The Lebo Mathosa Story, in which she portrayed the legendary South African singer, Lebo Mathosa as a young woman. Bahumi had met the late singer when she was a little girl as Lebo was one of her father’s closest friends, but she stated that people always seem to exaggerate her closeness to the late singer.

Also, the closeness between Lebo and Somizi was not what gave her the cherished role in the BET biopic. She first got to know about the auditions for the show through a friend who sent a picture of the auditions to her. She revealed that she was excited at first, only to realize that it was a call for an open audition. Bahumi still built the courage and attended the audition. It was a tensed one month waiting for a response after the audition but when it came, she nailed it and got the role.

She also auditioned to play the older Lebo, but it was initially supposed to go to Kelly Khumalo, but it was KB Motsilanyane that ended up playing the role. Somizi’s daughter stated she found the experience of playing the legendary Lebo, a woman she grew up loving and respecting, very exciting.

Bahumi Suffers From Lymphatic Obstruction

The hardworking, beautiful, and confident actress suffers from a health disorder known as lymphoedema condition. This disorder, which cannot be cured, is characterized by swelling in the arm or leg as a result of the lymphatic system not working properly. Apart from the swelling, the condition is also accompanied by pain and discomfort.

The Living The Dream With Somizi star first gave a hint about her condition in an episode of the show in 2017, but has since not let fans in on how she has continued to manage it. In April 2020, it became clear that the beautiful actress had very much accepted herself after she shared a picture of herself on Instagram, in which the different sizes between her legs caused by the disease were detailed. She accompanied the Instagram photo with the caption, “Being herself was her truest form of worship.”

Apart from these, she has not publicly spoken about the condition or how she has managed it through the years, as well as how it has affected her and her career if it has.

She Continues to Ply Her Trade as an Actress

There was never a point in the life of Bahumi Madisakwane when she wanted to be anything more than an actress. Hence, it is not surprising that she is currently an actress and reality TV star, living the best of her life.

While there is no information regarding her earliest education except that she went to boarding schools, it is known that she attended Varsity College, where she studied Law. This gave the idea that she’s also interested in practicing law, but as of 2019, she was said to be studying towards a Degree in Film at AFDA.

There is no information regarding her finances, but she has a father who is not only well to do, but one who is willing to support her and her mother. In 2019, after her mother suffered a car crash caused by a drunk driver, Somizi was there for her as a long-time friend, to help pay for plastic surgery to fix her face, which was disfigured by the accident. Before then, he also bought a red Chevrolet for Bahumi in 2016 to celebrate her 21st Birthday.