UThembi Mtshali-Jones wazalwa ngomhlaka-7 Novemba 1949 eThekwini, eMkhumbane wakhulela elokishini KwaMashu lapho aqala khona ukucula emakhonsathini ezikole.
UThembi ungumculi waseNingizimu Afrika, umlingisi nomlobi wemidlalo owaziwa kakhulu ngokuba umlingisi oqavile, uThoko kwi-CCV sitcom ‘Sgudi’ Snaysi, kusuka ngo-1986 kuya ku-1992. Uyaziwa futhi ngokulingisa indawo ye-shebeen queen kwi-Hazel Dube emdlalweni owaba uchungechunge ku-SABC2 i-Stokvel, kusuka ngo-2003 kuya ku-2012. Wayedlala indawo ephambili njengo-Andiswa Sigcau emdlalweni owaba uchungechunge ku-M-Net webhola likanobhutshuzwayo i-League of Glory, ngo-2010; futhi wathatha isikhundla sika-Dineo Nkgatho ku-Warona Seane kwisizini yesine yomdlalo wephalamende ku-SABC2 i-90 Plein Street, ngo-2013.
Wayengowokugcina kuma-Tribute Achievers 2002 Awards esigabeni se-African Excellence in Entertainment & Arts and Awards Kentucky Colonel.
Ngokwaziwa ngokulingisa kwakhe kuSgudi Snaysi naku-Stokvel, wahlonishwa nge-Living Legend Award kwi-2019 National Theatre Festival, eNorth Carolina, e-US.
Ukuhlonishwa kukaThembi emidlalweni yeshashalazi kufaka phakathi: U-Marabi noMabatha abahambele eNingizimu Afrika, e-UK nase-USA.
Uke wabhala waphinde walingisa i-Eden and Other Places kanye ne-Woman of Africa, Have You Seen Zandile. Uphinde wavela nasemidlalweni kamabona kude i-Divers Down; Generations; Interrogation Room; Madam & Eve; Scoop Scoombie; Takalani Sesame; S.O.S.; Stokie, Fishy Feshuns; Backstage; Silent Witness; The Queen & Broken Vows .
Uqophe ama-albhamu amane ngegama lakhe, waqopha njengomculi ohola phambili neqembu likaSipho Gumede iPeace kanye ne-African Jazz Pioneers kuzo zombili izikhathi enza i-albhamu eyodwa. Udlale izingoma eziholayo kuculo lwengoma oluya efilimini i-Study of an African Farm, ekhishwe ngabakwa-Sony njenge-CD ngo-2004, futhi wawina nendondo ye-SAMA ngo-2004.
Amafilimu uThembi ake wasebenza bgawo i-Themba yango-2009, i-Country of my Skull, Cape of Good Hope kanye ne-The Wooden Camera ezango-2003.
Umzuzu ayewuthanda kakhulu ukucula ingoma ethi-Happy Birthday ngesiZulu , eculela uNelson Mandela ngosuku lwakhe lokuzalwa lweminyaka engu-80 e-Washington D.C, wasakaza bukhoma kwi-CNN. Uke waculela owabe enguMongameli wakuleli uThabo Mbeki nePhalamende ngemuva kweNkulumo Yezwe ngo-2004.
Thembi Mtshali udlala indawo kaMaNdlovu Bhengu ku-imbewu, ku-e.tv.