Last Updated on October 2, 2026 by Miguel Manjate
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s family has played a major role in the South African footballer’s journey from rural KwaZulu-Natal to Major League Soccer with Minnesota United. Born on June 20, 2000, Hlongwane grew up in a football-loving Zulu family around Nxamalala, near Pietermaritzburg, where his father, grandfather, uncles and cousins were all closely connected to the game.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s father is Wiseman Hlongwane, a former footballer who later worked in construction and was involved with local club Nxamalala Fast XI. His mother is Sherly Bhengu, while his publicly documented younger brother is Gift Bhengu. Hlongwane has frequently spoken about wanting his professional career to improve his family’s life. However, he has kept his romantic relationships private, and there is currently no reliable public confirmation of a girlfriend, wife or children.
Who Are Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Parents?
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s parents are Wiseman Hlongwane and Sherly Bhengu. Both have played important roles in his life, although they have generally remained away from the international spotlight created by their son’s success with Minnesota United and the South Africa national team.
Hlongwane has openly discussed the financial challenges his family faced while he was growing up. He has explained that his grandfather initially supported much of the extended family before his mother and uncles began working.
Later, Bongokuhle lived with his father, who supported him while working in construction. Once Hlongwane began earning money as a professional footballer, he started helping his parents financially.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Father – Wiseman Hlongwane
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s father is Wiseman Hlongwane. Football was already part of Wiseman’s life long before his son became a professional player.
FARPost reported that Wiseman played football himself and operated primarily as a central midfielder. Although he believed he had considerable ability, he did not receive the same professional opportunities that later became available to his son.
Wiseman was also closely associated with Nxamalala Fast XI, the local team where Bongokuhle began playing as a young boy.
Coach Thothi Cele, who worked with the club for many years, recalled that Wiseman brought his young son into the team environment when Bongokuhle was approximately seven years old.
How Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Father Influenced His Soccer Career
Wiseman Hlongwane became one of the first football influences in his son’s life.
Bongokuhle has recalled watching his father play when he was young. His father’s own style and connection to local football made the sport feel like a natural part of everyday family life.
Interestingly, Wiseman initially did not fully realize how talented his son was. According to FARPost, coach Thothi Cele eventually asked him to come and watch Bongokuhle play because the youngster was already showing exceptional ability.
Wiseman was impressed when he saw his son scoring goals and displaying the technical qualities that would later become trademarks of his professional game.
Hlongwane has said that his father would sometimes surprise him by bringing home a soccer ball because he knew how much Bongokuhle loved playing.
What Did Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Father Do for Work?
After his playing days, Wiseman Hlongwane worked in construction.
Bongokuhle revealed in 2022 that his father had been working as a construction worker until the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his employment.
The loss of work created additional financial pressure for the family. By that stage, however, Bongokuhle had begun earning money through his professional career with Maritzburg United.
Hlongwane said that he started sending money home to support his father as well as helping his mother with household expenses.
His desire to improve his family’s circumstances became one of his biggest motivations after moving to Minnesota United.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Mother – Sherly Bhengu
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s mother is Sherly Bhengu. Her name became widely reported in 2025 after she traveled to Minnesota to watch her son play at Allianz Field for the first time.
Sherly has spoken about Bongokuhle’s childhood and his early love of football. She recalled that he regularly played in the streets and on local fields while growing up and that his skills became increasingly noticeable as he got older.
Football was so important to him that even as a child he would constantly look for opportunities to play.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Mother Watched Him at Allianz Field
One of the most emotional family moments of Hlongwane’s Minnesota United career occurred in June 2025.
His mother, Sherly Bhengu, traveled from South Africa to the United States with his baby brother, Gift Bhengu. It was the first time she had watched Bongokuhle play for Minnesota United in person at Allianz Field.
The timing could hardly have been better.
Hlongwane scored twice and provided an assist as Minnesota United defeated Houston Dynamo 3-1.
After scoring his first goal, Hlongwane immediately ran toward the stands, climbed over the barrier and celebrated with his mother and little brother.
The forward later explained that having them there meant a great deal to him and joked that he wished they could attend every home game because they might be his lucky charm.
Who Is Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Brother?
Bongokuhle Hlongwane has a publicly documented younger brother named Gift Bhengu.
Gift became known to Minnesota United supporters in June 2025 when he traveled with their mother, Sherly Bhengu, to visit Bongokuhle in the United States.
Reports described Gift as Bongokuhle’s baby brother, indicating a significant age gap between the siblings.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Baby Brother – Gift Bhengu
Gift Bhengu was still very young when he attended his first Minnesota United match at Allianz Field.
After Hlongwane scored against Houston Dynamo, he climbed into the crowd and lifted his little brother during an emotional celebration.
The moment quickly attracted attention from Major League Soccer and Minnesota United because it illustrated how much Hlongwane had missed having his family with him during his years in the United States.
Gift and Sherly were visiting Bongokuhle for approximately three weeks, giving the player an unusual opportunity to spend significant time with close family members during the MLS season.
Does Bongokuhle Hlongwane Have Other Siblings?
Gift Bhengu is the only sibling of Bongokuhle Hlongwane who has been clearly identified by name in strong recent public reporting.
Hlongwane has spoken more broadly about growing up within a large extended family containing uncles and cousins, but reliable sources do not currently provide a complete list of his brothers or sisters.
For that reason, it would be inaccurate to claim that Gift is definitely his only sibling. He is best described as Hlongwane’s only publicly documented sibling as of now.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Grandfather
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s grandfather was another important figure in both his family life and football upbringing.
Hlongwane has explained that his grandfather supported much of the extended family financially during his childhood until his mother and uncles were able to work.
His grandfather was also heavily involved in football.
MLS reported that he ran a local amateur team called Codesa FC, where several of Bongokuhle’s uncles played.
This meant young Hlongwane was surrounded by soccer wherever he went. His grandfather had one club, his father was connected with another, and his uncles and cousins were regularly playing.
Football Runs in Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Family
Few aspects of Hlongwane’s childhood were separate from football.
He has described playing in the backyard with his uncles and cousins from approximately six years old.
His grandfather operated Codesa FC, while his father was associated with Nxamalala Fast XI. Hlongwane even recalled sometimes having to decide which team to support when his grandfather’s and father’s clubs were involved.
His uncles were also regular footballers, creating an environment in which the sport was constantly discussed and played.
Hlongwane later described himself as coming from a soccer-obsessed Zulu family, with virtually everyone around him loving the game.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Family Background in KwaZulu-Natal
Hlongwane grew up in the Nxamalala area of KwaZulu-Natal, close to Pietermaritzburg.
His childhood was considerably different from the professional lifestyle he later experienced in Major League Soccer.
Hlongwane has openly described coming from a rural background where his family did not have significant financial resources.
Those experiences have remained a major source of motivation throughout his professional career.
After moving to the United States, he said one of his biggest goals was to improve his own life while ensuring his family back home was financially secure.
Why Bongokuhle Hlongwane Sends Money to His Parents
Hlongwane has publicly discussed supporting his parents financially after becoming a professional footballer.
In 2022, shortly after his move to Minnesota, he explained that his father’s construction work had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hlongwane therefore sent money home to support him. He also said that although his mother was working, he continued sending money to help his parents pay for food and other household needs.
His comments showed that the opportunity to play abroad represented more than simply personal success.
For Hlongwane, professional football became a way of changing the circumstances of the family that had supported him while he was growing up.
Why Bongokuhle Hlongwane Missed His Family After Moving to Minnesota
Moving from South Africa to Minnesota in early 2022 was a major adjustment for Hlongwane.
He admitted during his first MLS season that seeing teammates and supporters attend games with relatives sometimes made him miss his own family.
His parents and other relatives remained thousands of miles away in South Africa, making regular visits difficult.
Hlongwane nevertheless explained that the separation was part of the sacrifice required to achieve his goals and improve his family’s future.
This made his mother and younger brother’s eventual visit to Allianz Field in 2025 especially meaningful.
Does Bongokuhle Hlongwane Have a Girlfriend?
Bongokuhle Hlongwane has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend through reliable recent sports reporting or official Minnesota United channels.
Despite participating in several interviews about his childhood, parents and extended family, Hlongwane has generally kept romantic relationships outside his public football profile.
No established source reviewed currently identifies someone as Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s girlfriend.
As a result, names circulating on social media or unsourced celebrity websites should not be treated as confirmation of a relationship.
Is Bongokuhle Hlongwane Married?
There is currently no reliable public confirmation that Bongokuhle Hlongwane is married or has a wife.
Minnesota United’s official profile does not mention a spouse, while major interviews about his personal life concentrate on his parents, childhood and soccer-playing extended family.
Unless Hlongwane publicly confirms a marriage, his marital status should therefore be regarded as private.
Does Bongokuhle Hlongwane Have Children?
There is currently no reliable public information confirming that Bongokuhle Hlongwane has children.
No official Minnesota United profile or established interview identifies the South African international as a father.
His much younger brother Gift should not be confused with a son. Gift Bhengu is Hlongwane’s baby brother and was publicly identified as such when he visited Minnesota in 2025.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Early Soccer Career
Hlongwane began playing organized football at a young age with his father’s local team, Nxamalala Fast XI.
Coach Thothi Cele remembered Hlongwane joining the setup at approximately seven years old and immediately showing qualities that separated him from other young players.
His ball control, pace, passing and ability to score convinced those around the club that he had the potential to progress much further.
Hlongwane later moved into Maritzburg United’s development system and made his professional debut at 18.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Rise at Maritzburg United
Maritzburg United provided Hlongwane with his breakthrough in professional football.
He scored his first senior goal in June 2019 and gradually developed into one of the club’s most dangerous attacking players.
His performances during the 2020-21 South African Premier Division season earned him a nomination for the league’s Player of the Season award.
By that point, Hlongwane had also broken into the South Africa national team.
His goals and performances eventually attracted interest from clubs outside South Africa, giving him the international opportunity he had dreamed about.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Move to Minnesota United
Minnesota United signed Bongokuhle Hlongwane from Maritzburg United ahead of the 2022 MLS season.
The move made him Minnesota United’s first U22 Initiative signing and required Hlongwane to leave his family and familiar surroundings in South Africa.
His first months in the United States involved adapting to a different country, climate, league and lifestyle.
Hlongwane eventually became one of Minnesota United’s longest-serving and most productive attacking players.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Success With Minnesota United
Hlongwane became particularly prominent during the 2023 Leagues Cup, scoring seven goals and finishing behind Lionel Messi in the tournament’s Golden Boot race.
He followed that performance with his most productive MLS regular season in 2024, scoring 11 goals.
During the 2025 season, his versatility became even more important as Minnesota used him in deeper positions, including right wing-back and right-back.
His two-goal performance against Houston in front of his mother and younger brother became one of the most memorable moments of that season.
By 2026, Hlongwane had accumulated more than 150 appearances across competitions for Minnesota United and had established himself among the leading scorers in the club’s MLS history.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s New Minnesota United Contract
Minnesota United signed Hlongwane to a new contract running through the 2027 MLS season, with a club option for 2028.
When the agreement was announced, Hlongwane specifically referenced his family, saying that remaining with Minnesota meant a great deal to both himself and those closest to him.
The new deal represented another major achievement for a player who had begun playing for his father’s local team in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Who Is in Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Family?
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s father is Wiseman Hlongwane, a former footballer and construction worker who was involved with Nxamalala Fast XI. His mother is Sherly Bhengu, who publicly supported her son during a memorable visit to Minnesota in 2025.
His publicly documented younger brother is Gift Bhengu. Hlongwane also comes from a large football-oriented extended family that includes a grandfather who ran Codesa FC and several uncles and cousins who played the sport.
As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that Bongokuhle Hlongwane has a girlfriend, wife or children. His best-documented family story remains the support he received from his parents and extended family and his determination to use professional soccer to improve their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s Family
Who are Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s parents?
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s father is Wiseman Hlongwane and his mother is Sherly Bhengu. Both supported him during his development from local football in KwaZulu-Natal to the professional game.
Who is Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s father?
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s father is Wiseman Hlongwane. He played football as a central midfielder, was involved with Nxamalala Fast XI and later worked in construction.
Who is Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s mother?
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s mother is Sherly Bhengu. She traveled to Minnesota with his younger brother Gift in 2025 and watched her son play at Allianz Field for the first time.
Does Bongokuhle Hlongwane have siblings?
Yes. His publicly documented sibling is a much younger brother named Gift Bhengu. Reliable sources do not provide a complete list of any additional siblings.
Who is Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s brother?
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s younger brother is Gift Bhengu. He became known to Minnesota United supporters after attending a 2025 match with their mother, Sherly Bhengu.
Who is Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s grandfather?
Hlongwane has not widely publicized his grandfather’s name, but MLS reports that his grandfather ran the amateur club Codesa FC and was an important provider for the extended family during Bongokuhle’s childhood.
Was Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s father a footballer?
Yes. Wiseman Hlongwane played football, primarily as a central midfielder. Bongokuhle has described watching his father play when he was young.
Who is Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s girlfriend?
Bongokuhle Hlongwane has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend, and there is currently no reliable recent source identifying a romantic partner.
Is Bongokuhle Hlongwane married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Bongokuhle Hlongwane is married or has a wife.
Does Bongokuhle Hlongwane have children?
There is currently no reliable public information confirming that Bongokuhle Hlongwane has children.
Where is Bongokuhle Hlongwane from?
Bongokuhle Hlongwane is from the Nxamalala area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, near Pietermaritzburg. He was born on June 20, 2000.
What nationality is Bongokuhle Hlongwane?
Bongokuhle Hlongwane is South African and has represented Bafana Bafana at senior international level.
What team does Bongokuhle Hlongwane play for?
Bongokuhle Hlongwane plays for Minnesota United FC in Major League Soccer. His current contract runs through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
