Bio
Neo M. Matsunyane is a South African actor, director, television presenter and voice artist best known for his leading role in the SABC2 drama series Kelebone (1998) and for presenting the live breakfast programme The Toasty Show on e.tv, for seven months.
Born in Johannesburg in 1967, Matsunyane was raised and schooled in Jozi, Sterkspruit and Mafikeng. He matriculated from Kebalepile High School in Mafikeng in 1983.
In 1991 he received a certificate from The School Of Broadcasting and from 1994-1995 completed an intensive seven-month film director's course with the SABC, in conjunction with Bateleur Films, under the auspices of the late Mr John Rogers.
He also completed a script analysis course at Pretoria Technikon and a Hollywood Film Institute Course run by Dov Simens.
Aside from his role in Kelebone, Matsunyane has had lead roles in the television productions Maitemogelo, On the Right Track, Getting it Together, Class of '92, Kgweetsa and Mmalonya I and II.
He has made cameo appearances in numerous television shows including Desert Diners, Generations, African Skies, Going Up, Rhodes, Ke Nyala Mang, Matswakabele I, II and III, Grondbaronne, Soul Buddyz IV and Usindiso, amongst many others.
In addition to presenting The Toasty Show, Matsunyane has also presented the game shows Ho Taka and Doors, the quiz shows Bop Shop and Motsamai, and the educational programmes Science Club and Turn on to English.
In film, Matsunyane has acted in movies such as Red Scorpion, Oh Schucks...Here Comes UNTAG!, Wheels & Deals, the educational short film Vusi the Voter, and many others.
Matsunyane has also acted in corporate videos for Edgars, Standard Bank, Sasol, SAB and several AIDS inserts for the SABC. He is an experienced voice-over artist.
He is also an accomplished director, receiving a nomination for Best Director for his work on the SABC1 drama series Mzansi, in 2006.
He has been directing television shows since his directorial debut in 1994, when he directed three episodes of the SABC1 youth drama series Young Vision.
He has been a director on numerous well-known South African productions including Soul City, Takalani Sesame I, II and IV, Take 5, Emzini Wezinsizwa IX, Dube on 2, Mzansi, Soul Buddyz III and IV, Afro Café, Motswako The Mix, Scandal!, Jika Majika, Muvhango, Backstage, Taxi To..., Curious Culture and Usindiso (Redemption).
Matsunyane has also been an assistant director on numerous shows including Reflexions, The Gift, the M-Net Face of Africa Final in 1998, and S'camto.
His home language is Setswana but he also speaks English, Afrikaans, North and South Sotho, Xhosa, Zulu and SiSwati.
Matsunyane currently resides in Johannesburg.