Top ten best Actors and Actresses in South Africa

Here are the top 10 Best South African actors in no particular order:

Siyabonga Thwala

Siyabonga Thwala is a seasoned South African actor who started his career in 1989. With over 31 years of acting experience, he rose to fame through his role in Generations whereby he played Paul Moroka. He further elevated his career through his effortless acting skills as Busani in Muvhango, DH Rabede in Rhythm City, and finally broke massive strides in Isibaya whereby he plays the role of Mpiyakhe Zungu a taxi boss, and is arguably the best acting gig of his entire career thus far.

Here are his main tv roles that made him a household name:

Gaz’lam – Jimmy, Generations – Paul Mashaba, Isibaya – Mpiyakhe Zungu, Isidingo – J, Jozi Streets – Jabu, Muvhango – Busani Mojalefa, Rhythm City – DH Rabede, Scandal – Vusi Zwane, Soul City – Dali

Leleti Khumalo

Leleti Khumalo is a powerful global actress well known for her role in headline movies such as Sarafina, Invictus, Hotel Rwanda and Yesterday. She started her professional career in 1988 and has 32 years of acting experience.

Here is a list of movies and soapies she starred in:

Sarafina (1992), Cry the Beloved Country (1995), Voices of Sarafina, African Skies (1991)

Mama (1996), The Zulu (1999), Stimela Sasezola (2003), Hotel Rwanda (2004), Yesterday (2004)

Invictus (2009), Africa United (2010), Winnie Mandela (2011), Uzalo (2015), Free State (2016)

Imbewu: The Seed (2018)

Jamie Bartlett

Jamie Bartlett will forever be known as David Genaro due to his exceptional embodiment of the role in Rhythm City. He kick started his acting career in 1987 but got his big break when he started acting in Rhythm City as David Genaro such that tears rolled out from fans eyes when he decided to leave the soapie.

Here is a list of movies and soapies he starred in:

The se_xy girls (1997), Red Dust (2004), Prey – (Supportive role in the Horror Thriller film), Rhythm City – David Genaro, Mandela: Long walk to freedom (2013)

Sindi Dlathu

Sindi Dlathu is a South African actress who has taken the standard of entertainment to new heights. She broke strides in her famous role as Thandaza in Muvhango whereby she portrayed a powerful and unmoved business woman. She started her acting career in small screen movies from 1997 and has continuously elevated her skills from there.

Here is a list of soapies she starred in:

Escape from Angola, Muvhango, Married, Sarafina, Generations, Ngempela, Soul City, The River.

Rapulana Seiphemo

Rapulana Seiphemo is one of the most well-known faces on South African television sets. From award winning films like Tsotsi, Rapulana proved irreplaceable as seen also in his role as Tau Mogale surviving from Generations to Generations The Legacy because of his firm nature. With over 31 years of acting experience, Rapulana has made a mark in the entertainment industry and continuously tries to empower young actors to achieve excellence.

Here is a list of movies and soapies he starred in: The Queen (2020),Generations the Legacy (2014), How to steal 2 million (2011), Paradise Stop (2011), Africa United (2010), Silent (2010), White Wedding (2009), Tsotsi (2005), God is African (2003), Hijack Stories (2000), Isidingo The Need (1999), A Reasonable man (1999), Tarzan and the lost City (1998), Generations (1993)

Katlego Danke

The beautiful actress, radio DJ and television personality, Katlego Danke is one of the best actors in the industry. She kick started her career in 2002 and was made famous by her role as Dineo Mashaba on Generations, Katlego continued gaining fame and popularity in further roles in Isidingo and Gomora.

Here is a list of the soapies she starred in: Gomora, Isidingo, Generations, Beyond the veil, Miss Tertiary feel, The town that was mad, 7 De Laan.

Sello Maake Ka-Ncube

Sello Maake Ka-Ncube is arguably the most experienced actor in South Africa. With numerous awards to his name, Sello started acting at age 25 in 1985. He had one of the major roles in Generations as Archy. He now spends time coaching aspiring actors as a way to give back to the community.

Here is a list of TV roles he starred in: Generations, Scandal, The Queen, The Herd, Rockville, The River.

Connie Ferguson

Connie Ferguson is a living legend in the entertainment industry. She made a name for herself and is well known for building an empire out of her acting career. She became famous in her role as Karabo Moroka in Generations and went on to co-star with her husband in a hit soapie, The Queen.

Here is a list of TV roles she starred: Generations (1994), The Queen (2016), Solly loves Kina (2002)

The Wild (2011 – 2013), Soul City, Late night news with Connie Ferguson (2004), Strictly come dancing (2013), Comedy Central Roaster (2010), Rockville (2015)

Menzi Ngubane

Menzi Ngubane is a renowned actor who first graced the screens in 1987. He is also one of the stars who gained momentum through Generations whereby he played the role of Sibusiso Dlomo.

Here are a list of TV roles he starred in: Kwa Khala Nyonini, Yizo Yizo, Ashes to Ashes, Gold diggers

Isibaya, How to steal 2 million, Generations

Moshidi Motshegwa

Moshidi Motshegwa is another season actor to grace the screens. She started acting in 1997 and first made headlines through her role in Rhythm City and has made a mark in the industry as she is believed to be one of the easiest actors to work with.

Here is a list of TV roles she starred in: Zero Tolerance, Rhythm City, The River, Mandela & De Klerk

Noah’s Ark, Stellenbosch, Makemba