Vanessa Haywood is a South African actress, primarily known for her role in the acclaimed science fiction film *District 9* (2009). In the film directed by Neill Blomkamp, she portrayed Tania Van De Merwe, the wife of the protagonist Wikus, delivering a performance that contributed to the critical and commercial success of the film.

Her film career, although not extensive in terms of quantity, is often characterized by strong or resilient female characters, placed within dramatic or genre contexts. After *District 9*, she participated in other South African and international productions, but the role of Tania remains her most iconic and recognized. Haywood has demonstrated an ability to embody characters with emotional depth, often acting as a human anchor in complex and high-impact narratives.