South Africa is one of the countries in Africa with a large number of immigrants from all over the world. But today we will focus on those from neighboring country of Zimbabwe who succeeded on South African television dramas.
15 Zimbabwean born Actors Making it Big on South African television dramas.
Number 1: Chrispen Nyathi, born Bulawayo
Actor Chrispen Nyathi who is best known for playing a prayerful character of Charleston Ncube on Mzansi Magic drama DiepCity was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He relocated to South Africa
in 2019 to attend high school where his interests for acting grew even bigger. He acted on a school project called Behind the Blazer which gave him more opportunities to appear on other dramas such as Binnelanders, Aksi Spaza and Accused. He became more prominent after landing a leading role on DiepCity where he portrayed a Zimbabwean pastor who came to preach the good news to the people in Diepkloof with a vision to run a big church one day. One day he got arrested for being in the country illegally and Mgedeza came to his rescue by bribing police officers.
Number 2: Ernest Ndlovu, born in Tsholotsho
Another actor who is making it big in South Africa is Ernest Ndlovu who was born in Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe. He arrived in South Africa and started his acting career in 1983. Ernest is so popular in South Africa to an extent that some locals think he is a South African. He has appeared and starred on dramas like Egoli, Justice for All, Home Affairs, Sokhulu and Partners, Soul City and Scandal just to name a few. He also played the role of Ngwebedla in the South African weekly soapie Isibaya. The role portrayed a controversial character that caused headaches for the people in Bhubhesini.
Number 3: Tongai Arnold Chirisa, born in Harare
Everybody who is a fan of Mr Bones movie series definitely knows Tongai Chirisa because he stared on that movies series. One thing most people might not have known is that Tongai is a Zimbabwean who was born in the country’s capital city of Harare. He grew up in Harare and became an actor on Zimbabwe’s famous drama series Studio 263 playing Detective Trevor Devies. It’s not clear if Tongai is based in South Africa or in Zimbabwe but he is definitely a treasure to both nations.
Number 4: Jerome Galiao, born in Harare
Zimbabwean actor Jerome Galiao became prominent in South Africa after starring on Scandal as Dr Nyasha Mugari sometimes speaking Shona on the drama. Jerome was born and raised in Mbare, Harare in Zimbabwe. He made his first appearance as an actor on the Zimbabwean drama series Estate Blues and presented ZBC youth show Youth.com. He later relocated to South Africa where he appeared on other dramas such as Umlilo, The Queen, Zabalaza, Gomorrah and was a guest on Housewives. Galiao is currently residing in South Africa with his children where he continues to climb the ladder of fame.
Number 5: Luthuli Dlamini, born in Bulawayo
Best known for his best English accent on South African dramas is Luthuli Dlamini who made it big on Mzansi television. He appeared on several South African dramas such as Scandal, The Coconuts and Uzalo. Even though Luthuli was so good at acting and had a blossoming career, he was rude and was even fired from Scandal for that. Recently it was reported that Luthuli was struggling financially and had returned back home in Zimbabwe to reunite with family and friends.
Number 6: Nomsa Myth, born somewhere in Zimbabwe
Actress Nomsa Myth is an upcoming actress who recently appeared on etv drama series Scandal as Memory. She has been in South Africa for quite some time now pursuing studies in drama and acting. She became popular when she appeared on Scandal as Memory a wife of Zimbabwean man who had stolen a South African’s identity by marrying himself to a South African woman unbeknownst to her. When this man died the woman whose identity was fraudulently used ends up inheriting everything that Memory’s husband had worked for, so Memory came to claim the money sometimes demanding it in Shona language.
Number 7: Chiedza Mhende, born in Harare
Most people know Chiedza Mhende for her popular role on Generations as a transgender man by the name of Wandile Hadebe, but to most, it’s actually a surprise to hear that Chiedza was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. After that she moved to South Africa to pursue her career in acting and she did some wonders on our screens. Apart from playing a man on SABC1 drama Generations, she also played in Bridging Waters, Homeland, and Detour. She has definitely made it big on South African television drama series.
Number 8: Barry Hilton, born in Salisbury (now Harare)
Stand up comedian and actor Barry Hilton was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia now called Harare, Zimbabwe before his parents moved to North Wales in Europe. After about 7 years the family moved to South Africa where Barry finished his school. He later obtained a South African citizenship and now holds a dual citizenship of South Africa and British. Barry is known for comedy, for presenting television shows and acting on international films.
Number 9: Leroy Gopal, born in Harare, Zimbabwe
Actor, Comedian and voice artist Leroy Gopal was born in Harare, Zimbabwe before relocating to South Africa to pursue his career in acting. After theatre appearances in South Africa, he landed
a role on SABC soapy drama “One Way” portraying Thabang Ngema. He later appeared and starred on several dramas including Ses’Top La, Mzansi Love: Kasi Style, Abomama just to name but few. Leroy is now a South African by virtual of marriage since he is married to a South African woman Keletso Molefe in 2017.
Number 10: Tonderai Chiyindiko, born somewhere in Zimbabwe
Another actor who is making it big on Mzansi television dramas is Tonderai Chiyindiko who was born somewhere in Zimbabwe. He came to South Africa to pursue his career in acting by studying drama at Wits University. After finishing his studies he landed roles in theatre dramas before appearing on Mzansi Magic soapie The Queen as Dr Makhubela. He also starred on Uzalo, Generations, Broken Vows and many others.
Number 11: Byron Mcneil, Born somewhere in Zimbabwe
Actor Byron Mcneil is a Zimbabwean born actor who relocated to South Africa when he was young. His family moved to Mtubatuba in KwaZulu-Natal where Byron obtained basic education and developed interest in acting. After finishing basic education he pursued acting and studied drama at AFDA. Then he appeared on several dramas and films and later appeared on Imbewu the seed as Jason, Shria Rampersad’s boyfriend.
Number 12: Mbonisi Mahonondo, born in Bulawayo
If you are a big fan of Scandal drama series on etv you probably remember Chichi, a character which was portrayed by Mbonisi Mahonondo. She made a name for herself when she played this role on Scandal as a Nigerian and everyone believed she was a Nigerian but she is not. She was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe but later relocated to South Africa to advance her career in acting.
Number 13: Mary Barlow, born in Harare
Actress Mary Barlow was born in Harare Zimbabwe before relocating to South Africa. When she moved to South Africa she began doing theatre productions including Eskorts in 1997. In 2006, she appeared in a lead role on the television serial Shado’s. She also played the role of ‘Dr. Sam Jones’ in the Season 4 of the serial Jacob’s Cross. Now Mary is a South African maybe by naturalization or marriage.
Number 14: Chunky Phiri, born in Zimbabwe
Actor Chunky Phiri is an actor known for playing Sonnyboy on The Queen. He also appeared on Rhythm City as Dr Motsepe, Miles Vilakazi’s physician. Though he appeared on other dramas speaking local languages like Tsonga,
Sotho, Venda and Shangani, Chunky was born in Zimbabwe. He probably moved to South Africa at young age and stayed with people of different languages who taught him all these languages.
Number 15: Jane Benney, born in Bulawayo
Actress Jane Benney was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe to a Ndebele mother and a British father. She grew up performing in Musical Theater and modelling. Jane is widely recognized for her starring role as ‘Laleti’ in Leon Schuster’s South-African Film, ‘Mr. Bones’. She later moved to Hawaii to pursue her acting career feather after that to Los Angeles. So, Jane is not South African but is known in South Africa for acting on Mr Bones movie.
