10 Interesting Facts About Inimba’s Ayakha Ntunja (Qhawekazi Mabandla)

10 Interesting Facts About Inimba’s Ayakha Ntunja (Qhawekazi Mabandla). She is one of the most talented young actresses currently making waves. Ayakha Ntunja as slayed every role she gets, thus making a solid mark in the industry. Learn more about her from the 10 facts below.

1. Ayakha Ntunja was born in Gqeberha and is the middle child of three. She matriculated in 2021.

2. Her interest is the arts started with sports, and she did a lot of swimming. Aya then did dance for the longest time and thought that she was going to be a dancer. She was ready to go to an academy in London and just dance.

3. When Aya went to theatre in grade 8, it switched. A friend of hers dragged her into an audition telling her they just need to fill a role. From there she fell in love with the space, the environment and as they say, everything is history.

4. After moving to Johannesburg, she enrolled at the National School of the Arts (NSA), where she harnessed her acting skills. A career in the arts was always the way for Aya, although she was academically strong.

5. Aya’s first encounter with the spotlight came in 2023, when she was cast in MTV Shuga: Down South, as Thembi. Before then she had starred in short films.

6. In 2024, she got her biggest role yet in Youngins. Aya plays lead role of Amo Mosweu in the hit Showmax series. Amo is a sweet, determined girl from a rural town in KwaZulu-Natal, and seemed to know exactly what she wants out of life. That is, until she gets to Olifantsfontein High School, where an unexpected experience gains her new friends and a different perspective on life..

7. Currently she plays Qhawekazi Mabandla in Mzansi Magic new telenovela, Inimba. Qhawe is 20, beautiful, intelligent, confident, with a backbone defined by pride which stems from how she was raised. She completed her studies in IT and software engineering, and lands a job at Khusela Techonologies where she falls in love. Qhawe gets caught in a messy battle between the adults in her life who vie for her love and attention.

8. Aya is shining once again with a new role. She just got cast in a new movie titled Loved Out. She describes the movie as a taste of comedy, family and most certainly love.

9. Her talent doesn’t go unnoticed. Aya recently bagged an international award nomination at the Africa Choice Award 2025. The rising star has been nominated under the Most Promising Female Movie Star of the Year category.

10 Aya’s notable achievements, include the FEDA Acting Award in 2019 and the prestigious Best Performer Full Colors award the following year. Her versatility shone in 2020 as she claimed titles in Best Choreographer and Best Dancer, and she extended her impact by taking on the role of Programs Director at the Unspoken Words Theatre Factory, showcasing both leadership and performance prowess.