Shaka Ilembe is one of the best TV shows that the South African TV drama show world has ever had. The production team, together with their actors, never fail at delivering the best quality storyline and acting.
Due to the amazing work (acting) they perform, surely you’re wondering how these actors’ journey to being professional actors started and what they looked like during their childhood or in their younger days. Let’s check out the few main actors of Shaka Ilembe below:
- Lemogang Tsipa
This actor plays the character of ‘Shaka Zulu’.He was born on May 6, 1991, in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal. Before becoming an actor, he was a musician.
Tsipa started his acting career with a TV debut in Forced Love and a film debut in Felix (2013) after completing his studies at AFDA in 2012. Additionally, he has international appearances in films like Wallander and Eye in the Sky.
2. Nomzamo Mbatha
She plays the role of Nandi, Shaka’s mother, on Shaka Ilembe. This actress was born and bred in KwaMashu Township, north of Durban, on July 13, 1990.
She attended her primary and secondary school at Sihlezi Primary School and Bechet High School. She graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2018 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, specialising in accounting.
3. Thembinkosi Mthembu
He played the role of ‘King Dingiswayo’ on the show. This actor was born on 31 July 1994, at Kwandengeni, KwaZulu-Natal. This actor studied at Durban University of Technology.
Before Shaka Ilembe, this actor starred on The River, The Gamechangers, Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu and the short Lokshion films Ngeculo and Ingane kaBaba.
4. Wiseman Mncube
This actor plays the role of Zwide on the show. Wiseman Mncube was born on 29 May 1990 in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, in a family with five siblings.
In 2011, he graduated with a National Diploma in Drama from Durban University of Technology (DUT). This actor used to appear on the Mzansi Lokshion Bioskop, little did we know that one day he would move to bigger shows like Uzalo, eHostela and My Brother’s Keeper.
5. Dawn Thandeka King
Dawn Thandeka King plays the role of ‘Mkabayi’ and also the narrator of the show. This actress is also a musician and motivational speaker born on October 1, 1977, in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal. She is best known for her role as Lindiwe “MaNgcobo” Xulu on the SABC 1 soap opera Uzalo.
6. Sthandiwe Kgoroge
She plays the noble and wise Queen Mother, grandmother to Shaka, Mthaniya. This actress was born on the 4th of February 1972.This actress appeared in Generations, series 5 and 7 of MTV Shula, the mini-series MTV Shuga Alone Together and the first series of Yizo-yizo
Sthandiwe studied at the University of KwaZulu-Natal; she is married to the Imbewu: The Seed actor Tony Kgoroge.
7. Khabonina Qubeka
Khabonina Qubeka plays the role of ‘Queen Ntombazi’, a powerful Ndwandwe queen and the mother of King Zwide. This actor was born on 22 January 1981 in Orlando West, Soweto.
Khabonina is also a dancer, choreographer, singer and businesswoman. She started her acting journey when she played the role as the third Doobsie (after Lindiwe Chibi and Khanyisile Mbau) on the SABC 2 soapie Muvhango, from 2006 to 2007.