Joelle Kayembe — Biography

Born on May 31, 1983, Joelle Kayembe hails from the Congo and has carved out a career in both modeling and acting. She achieved a significant milestone by becoming the inaugural black woman to be featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Her modeling portfolio also includes appearances in prominent publications like Cosmopolitan and Elle, along with a spot in a Sprite Zero commercial. Beyond her work in front of the camera, Kayembe is also a painter for a select clientele. She made an appearance in Ludacris's music video for "Pimpin' all Over the World." In 2005, she was a finalist in the International Supermodel competition held in China. Her runway experience includes participation in SA Fashion Week and Johannesburg Fashion Week. On September 27, 2008, Kayembe exchanged vows with Bongani Mbindwane, a mining magnate associated with Platfields Ltd., in a traditional ceremony. The couple had been in an on-again, off-again relationship for approximately four years. A planned civil ceremony was delayed due to her pregnancy and marital difficulties. Following her decision to terminate the pregnancy, Mbindwane referred to her as a murderer. Kayembe initiated divorce proceedings in October 2009, but Mbindwane contested the legality of their marriage. In April 2010, she put forth a settlement proposal of R10 million, aiming to resolve disputes that included accusations of assault leveled against Mbindwane. In November of that year, a court mandated that Kayembe vacate their shared residence by January 2011. Kayembe later took on the role of Zina in Jérôme Salle's 2013 film Zulu.