10 South African actors who played roles in international movies

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South Africa is home to many actors featured in the production industry and acted in international films. However, there are bound to be those that “outshine” others and get removed from the crowd. Here is a list of the top 10 actors who have managed to set themselves as the cut above the rest:

Jamie Bartlett

Bartlett was born in Maidenhead, England, on the 9th of June 1966 and passed away on the 23rd of May 2022. He was best known for his role as David Genaro on Rhythm City. He had acted in both South African drama series and international films. Some of the international films he worked in are:

• American Ninja 2 and 5
• Beyond Borders, where he acted as Josh.

Bartlett starred in the movie called Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. A film based on the book Long Walk to Freedom written by the late Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s former President.

Charles Bouguenon

Bouguenon was born on the 30th of June 1983. He is an actor best known for his role as Brad, Coco’s (Gugulethu Zuma) on and off boyfriend in the television sitcom It’s for Life (2011). In 2020 he acted as Timothy, a receptionist at the Newtonian hotel on etv’s telenovela, Scandal. The films he has worked in are:

• Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)
• Homeland (2011)
• Vuil Wasgoed (2017)

Dr Jerry Mofokeng

 Born on the 17th of April 1956, Dr Mofokeng is best known for his role on etv’s Scandal as Neo Mokgethi. He acted in numerous international films like:

• Lord of War
• Safe House
• The Forgotten Kingdom (A South African-American movie)

Kenneth Mncedisi Nkosi

Nkosi was born on the 19th of June 1973. Not only is he an actor, but he is also a comedian. He once acted in the South African movie called Tsotsi as AAP. Locally he was last seen playing the role of Jaros on The Queen. He has performed in one international film called District 9.

10 South African actors who played roles in international movies

David James

David James was born on the 28th of October 1972. To the South African audience, he is best known for his role as Mad dog on the soap opera Isidingo and his role as Hermanus Meyer, a radio station manager, on Rhythm City. Internationally, he is known for acting as wicked Koobus Venter in the Oscar-nominated Sci-Fi film District 9

Patrick Mofokeng

He is a South African actor best known for his current role as Mlungisi Ngema on etv’s Scandal. He acted in Jackie Chan’s movie “Who am I” and Invictus in 2009.

Tony Kgoroge

Tony Kgoroge was born on the 21st of April 1974. He is known for his current role on Imbewu: The Seed as Zimele “Ngcolosi” Bhengu and Jason Tshabalala in Invictus. Internationally he is known for his role in:

• Blood Diamond
• Invictus
• Hotel Rwanda
• Lord of War
• Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, where he played Walter Sisulu.

John Matshikiza

Matshikiza was born on the 26th of November 1954 and passed away in September 2008. He was an actor, poet, theatre director and journalist, best known on Hijack Stories and Leon Schuster’s There’s a Zulu On My Stoep, Cry Freedom and 1987’s Mandela, where he played Walter Sisulu. Internationally he is known for playing President Habyarimana in the Canadian 2007 drama Shake Hands with the Devil and the 2003 American romantic drama Beyond Borders.

Leleti Khumalo

Leleti Khumalo was born on the 30th of March 1970, she is known for her role in Sarafina. She is currently starring in Imbewu: The Seed as MaZulu, the wife of Ngcolosi Bhengu.

She appeared on Invictus and Hotel Rwanda.

Michael Mabizela

The actor completes our list of 10 South African actors who played roles in international movies. Mabizela was born on the 9th of June though the birth year is unknown. He is best known for his role in Scandal as Caiaphas, Gloria Legae’s husband. He acted in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

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