Mikateko Hlabangane was born on September 19, 2000. She is well known for acting on Scandal as Mary Maswanganyi.
Mikateko Hlabangane is a South African actress and engineering student.She is originally from Bushbuckridge, Acornhoek. Her native language is Tsonga, which she speaks very fluently. Currently, she is studying civil engineering at the University of Pretoria. She got her inspiration to study engineering from her Aunt Kurisani Mashele’s footsteps. Hlabangane has been raised in a house among five brilliant girls.
Mikateko initially debuted in the serial when she was only 15 years old, in 2014. Mikateko tells Move! that she has always wanted to be an actress, but it was a school teacher who encouraged her to pursue her ambition after noticing her potential.The teacher assisted the actress in joining an acting agency, and she soon landed the role of Ma
She is a bubbly young woman who’s spent most of her adolescent years in front of the camera, but actress Mikateko Hlabangwane, who plays Mary Masangwanyi in Scandal!, lives like any other kid when she’s not in front of the camera.
The Centurion actress has mastered the art of balancing university with a demanding performing schedule. Mikateko is able to balance studying and acting due to the support of her family and Scandal! coworkers.
Juggling acting and my school work is really tough, but I believe if you genuinely love something you find it in you to make it work. It’s just all about prioritising and at this point, my school work is my priority,” she says.
Mikateko thinks that her experience as Mary has taught her a lot. Mary works as a hostess at a club in the show, and she wanted the job so she could meet celebrities, as fans will recall.
She received more than she bargained for; however, when a video of her having sexual encounters with a married man went viral, she was publicly humiliated. She tried suicide as a result. Mikateko says the story taught her several things, including that nothing in life is simple.
“Girls compromise themselves for the sake of money. A lot of girls need to love and value themselves enough so they don’t end up choosing paths that will lead to their own downfall,” she says. “Girls must stop depending on men. Selling yourself off just so you can get money won’t get you anywhere in life. Just prioritise education.”