South Africa is a wonderfully diverse country, with a multitude of languages spoken. However, English serves as the common language that bridges communication between the various tribes. Lately, English has been subject to misuse and wrongly regarded as a gauge of intelligence and a marker of talent, a narrative that is simply not true. In addition to their remarkable talent in their respective crafts, these South African actors possess an impressive command of the English language.
1. Molefi ‘Wallet’ Monaisa
Molefi Monaisa, the talented South African actor, effortlessly brings the character of Wallet to life on the captivating SABC1 drama Skeem Saam. The 52-year-old was born in Potchefstroom, a charming town in the North West province.
Immediately after graduating from high school, he decided to pursue his passion for the performing arts by enrolling in the prestigious Dramatic Arts programme at the Method Actors Centre in Pretoria.
Wallet had always aspired to become a doctor, but unfortunately, his dreams were crushed when his parents faced financial difficulties that prevented him from attending university. Wallet is widely recognised for his exceptional talent as a poet, as well as his impressive fluency and accent in English.
2. Hungani Ndlovu
Hungani Ndlovu, the 29-year-old actor, has gained popularity for his portrayal of Romeo Medupe on the hit show Scandal. The actor hails from Nelspruit in the beautiful Mpumalanga. With his impeccable English accent and fluency, it’s clear that the young actor must have spent a good three years honing his skills in the bustling cities of Los Angeles and New York.
There’s been quite a buzz going around about Hungani snagging a role in the popular American comedy-drama series Blackish. It seems like our talented star is making moves across the pond!
3. Masasa Mbangeni
Masasa, a South African actress hailing from Port Elizabeth, made the bold move to Johannesburg to pursue her passion for dramatic arts and launch her acting career. She was fortunate enough to be awarded the Mandela Rhodes scholarship, which allowed her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts and Dramatic Arts degree at Wits.
Her focus was on performing and directing, which was a perfect fit for her creative talents. Masasa gained recognition for her portrayal of Thandeka on the hit TV show Scandal. Despite her Xhosa roots, her English accent is absolutely remarkable. She effortlessly portrays the character of Kwanele Losi in the Legacy SA drama series.
4. Siyabonga Xaba
Siyabonga’s acting career began at a young age, and his command of the English language has always been exceptional. This up-and-coming actor graduated from Packtown Boys High and is currently captivating audiences with his portrayal of Langa on Gomora Mzansi.
5. Natasha Thahane
The 28-year-old actress successfully balanced her studies at the New York Film Academy with her pursuit of a thriving acting career. Prior to her rise to fame, she also dedicated herself to academic excellence at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, where she earned a degree in Accounting.
Having hailed from Orlando East Soweto, she has graced the screens of numerous drama series, including the popular Mzansi Magic show, The Queen, and the well-known SABC1 series, Skeem Saam, just to name a couple. Natasha Thahane’s impressive intellect and mastery of the English language may be attributed to her esteemed lineage as the granddaughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
6. Presley Chweneyagae
Famous for his role in the award-winning movie Tsotsi, Presley Chweneyagae is a true polyglot, effortlessly speaking nine different languages. He’s currently gracing the screens of the 1Magic telenovela The River, portraying the character Thuso ‘Cobra’ Mokoena. Chweneyagae had the pleasure of attending the esteemed Tshwane University of Technology.
7. Loyiso Macdonald
Loyiso Macdonald, born on September 7, 1986, has gained recognition for his performances in the well-received series The Queen, 3 Way Junction, and Happy Family. He attended Pinetown Boys’ High School.
Prior to embarking on his acting career, he had the experience of working in both the banking industry and a bustling telecommunications Call Centre. Nevertheless, lacking any sense of fulfilment in his position, he decided to resign in 2007.
Soon enough, he found himself receiving invitations to showcase his talents in numerous stage productions. Afterwards, he made his way onto the Mzansi Magic show The Queen, captivating audiences and leaving a lasting impression on South African television.
8. Cebolenkosi Mthembu
Cebolenkosi Mthembu is a man who possesses an impressive array of talents. Known for his portrayal of detective Nyawo on Uzalo, he has amassed a dedicated fan base. In addition to his many talents, he also dabbles in various fields, such as electrical technician, singer, radio personality, and athlete. Guess what? He actually taught mathematics to students in grades 10, 11, and 12!
As for his education, he attended Shayina High School. Following his high school graduation, he enrolled at the Mangosuthu University of Technology. During his time at the university from 1995 to 1998, he managed to earn himself a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering. Quite an impressive feat!