Mampho Palesa Brescia (; ) (born December 8, 1977) is a South African actress, television presenter and voice-over artist. Popularly known for acting in the television drama series Jacob's Cross and Isibaya.
Her performance as Iris Zungu in Isibaya earned her two nominations for outstanding female villain and outstanding supporting actress at the Royalty Soapie Awards in 2015. In 2021, she was nominated for an international award at the Africa Choice Awards for the category of Next Rated actress of the year.
Early life Mampho Palesa Brescia (née Molete) was born on December 8, 1977, in the Soweto township of Johannesburg, South Africa to Thomas Segonetso Molete and Augustine Ntsope Molete (née Kolobe). Her interest in films started when she was a child, during her father's tradition of watching historical films every Sunday. She joined school plays from the age of seven and performed in theatre until she finished university.
She completed a degree in International Relations and political science at University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, and an honours degree in Japanese Studies at Soka University in Japan. She worked as a correspondence journalist for the Japanese newspaper Mainichi. Her understanding of Japanese culture and fluency in the language contributed to her appointment as South Africa's first brand ambassador for Japan in 2018.
Personal life Brescia married Nicola Brescia in 2005. They have a daughter, Rainn Madison Nthatuwa Brescia, born in 2013.
Filmography Television Presenter Year Title Role 1998 Reality Check Co-Host 2003 AfriSat News Presenter 2004 Imali Mania Host 2005 Home Channel - Decor Lifestyle Host
Film Year Title Role Notes Country 2006 Das Traumhotel – Afrika (The Traum Hotel) (Episode 7) Uncredited South Africa 2008 Swop Tina South Africa 2009 District 9 Reporter South Africa 2010 What To Bring To America Helen Main role United States of America 2010 Asymmetry Counselor United States of America 2015 The Jakes Are Missing Janice Jakes Main role South Africa 2021 I Am All Girls Brother Boss Girl South Africa 2022 Eraser: Reborn U.S. Marshall Keisha Rhodes United States of America 2022 No Love Lost Mother of Amahle South Africa
Television Series
Year Title Role Notes 2002 Generations (South African TV series) Mbali Season 1 2006 Zero Tolerance Ayanda Magoba Season 3 2006 Isidingo Batsi Season 1 2007–2008 Jacob's Cross Zanele Lead in Season 1–3 2009 Home Affairs (TV series) Mrs Mthiyane Season 4 2011 Make Love Not War Lawyer 2014–2016 Isibaya Iris Zungu Lead in Season 1–8 2016 Mfolozi Street Sibongile Pelompe Lead in Season 2 2019 Shadow (TV series) Faith Lead in Season 1 2021 Dead Places Jessica 2021 Family Secrets Cleopatra Mokwena Season 2 2022 Savage Beauty (TV series) Angela Makwetu Season 1 2022 Lioness Neurosurgeon Season 2 2023 In Your Dreams Mrs Gwaya Season 1 2024–2025 Soft Life (TV Series) Zam Lead in Season 1
Accolades Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Year Award Ceremony Category Work/Nominee Result Ref. 2015 Royalty Soapie Awards Outstanding Female Villain Iris Zungu in Isibaya 2015 Royalty Soapie Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress Iris Zungu in Isibaya 2021 Africa Choice Awards Next Rated Actress of the Year Iris Zungu in Isibaya
References
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