Get to know Thobakgale from Skeem Saam

Elizabeth Serunye (born March 12, 1971) is an actress from South Africa. She has participated in a number of drama series, but she is best recognized for her role as Mapaseka Montsho in Moferefere Lenyalong.

Serunye starred as Zinzile in the second season of the comedy series City Ses’la. In the E.tv soap serial Rhythm City, she played Rose. She has also appeared in films such as Africa United (2010), Amandla (2022), and Skin (2008).

Elizabeth Serunye was born on March 12, 1971, in Limpopo, South Africa. She is from Alexandra, a township north of Johannesburg.

Serunye began acting classes in her hometown in 1986. There was nothing to motivate her because the industry was virtually entirely devoid of black individuals.

Elizabeth went through a rough patch at the start of her career. The actress lost certain jobs, forcing her to hunt for alternative means of cash. She landed a job in retail.

She first appeared on Dinnete Tsa Bophelo at the age of twenty-three. In 2001, she secured playing roles on Generations and established a street selling company.

Serunye sold R5 cakes at the corner of her street in the morning. The majority of her customers were folks rushing to work, school, or looking for work in the morning.

The actress played Rose on the E.tv soap opera Rhythm City. In 2011, Skeem Saam landed the role of strict and focused principal, Jacobeth Thobakgale. She joined the production in season 2 and has appeared in season eleven, making her one of the longest-serving actors.

Serunye has also appeared in productions like The Coconuts, Mzee Wa Two Six, and Ga Re Dumele. She has also tried music and sings with the gospel singing group Exaltation Gospel Choir.

In the drama Skeem Saam, Elizabeth plays Principal Thobakgale. As an administrator at Turfloop High School, she faced numerous challenges.

Alfred Magongwa, one of her professors and a close friend, plotted against her. They both conspired against her. They were successful in making her lose her job.

The principal was dismissed of her duties by the school administration. Her dismissal was due to corruption and mishandling of school funds.

After losing her dream career, the instructor turned into a Junkie. She began using drugs, but her daughter Elizabeth Thobakgale supported her.

Later, she summoned the courage to fight for her position and won it back. In the process, the brains behind her downfall were exposed.

In real life, she is not a principal, but she frequently visits schools to give back to the community by assisting other children in need. She is a mother with a big heart who wants every child to flourish in life.