Nefisa Mkhabela is a South African actress best known for her starring role as Ona Molapo in the e.tv soapie House of Zwide. She made her television acting debut in the recurring role of Mbali on the 1Magic drama series Unmarried, first appearing in the series premiere on 2 February, 2018.
She landed her first starring role in 2021 when she was cast as Ona Molapo on House of Zwide(a drama series which replaced Rhythm City). Since the inception of the show, Nefisa Mkhabela has become a fan favorite. She plays the role of Onalerona Molapo known as “Ona” who goes to Rosebank to chase her dream of becoming a fashion designer and begins working at Zwide. However, she is met with Faith Zwide, who is the wife of Funani Zwide. Funani Zwide is South Africa’s biggest fashion icon played by beloved villain Vusi Kunene.
Faith Zwide is not fond of Ona because she is more talented than her children. The storyline gets complicated when Ona finds out Faith and Isaac, played by Jeffrey Sekele were involved in her mothers death. Adding to the drama, it is revealed that Faith and Funani’s children are not actually Funani’s while it appears Ona is actually Funani’s daughter.
Besides being an actor Nefisa has also been involved in television commercials. She has done television commercials for MTN stills and Dettol both as a Supporting role.
The 20-years-old was born in Soweto, Gauteng. She attended Greenside High School in Randburg, Gauteng, where she excelled in cultural studies and obtained a certificate in Traditional Dance. The young actress speaks both English and Sesotho.
The actress revealed when she got the role the first thing she did was fall on her knees and pray.
“I still can’t believe that I got the role. It was a shock more than anything when I got the email that I got the job. I just fell on my knees, cried and prayed,” said Mkhabela. She also described her role on House of Zwide as a “dream”.