Hot new faces on local soapies

SOUTH Africa has some of the best soapies and telenovelas – and the people who act in them. Our list of the newest talents:

Cantona James

He plays Daniel Lefras in Kyknet’s hit, Arendsvlei. The rising star, who joined the award-winning show in its latest season, is one of the newest residents in the town. James’s portrayal of Daniel, a bright boy with a damaged past, has not gone unnoticed. James was recently nominated for a Royalty Soapie Award in the outstanding newcomer category.

Richard September

He obtained his BA Honours in theatre and play at the University of Cape Town and made his TV debut on Neighborhood Watch in 2015. That year, he played eight different roles in the stage production, Rondomskrik, during the Woordfees, presented by Stellenbosch University. He joined the cast of Suidooster as Bennie, a blunt young man who is protected by his mother. September received an outstanding newcomer nomination in this year’s Royalty Soapie Awards.

Khojane Morai

Khojane Morai is an actor best known for his starring role as Nolo, a young man from Qwaqwa in search of his biological father in the city, in SABC2’S Lithapo. It was his first starring role in television. He made his television debut in the role of Justine in an episode of the Mzansi Magic soapie Isithembiso last year.

Thembinkosi Brian Mthembu When he joined the cast of the multiaward-winning telenovela, The River, on 1Magic, viewers were taken by his good looks. He plays the role of Mabutho, a man of action who is loyal and rough around the edges. The Durban University of Technology graduate was recently nominated for a Royalty Soapie Award in the outstanding newcomer category.

Siphesihle Ndaba

When Mzansi Magic’s Gomora came to our screens, we knew it would be a hit. Siphesihle Ndaba plays Mazet, a gorgeous but dangerous woman who tempts a man into a life of crime. She is an Alex girl, born and bred. She is feisty but has a tragic quality too, because of her unsavoury past. She went to work for Mam’sonto and found the mother figure she never had at home. The Rhodes University graduate has a background in stage.

Ntobeko Sishi

This actor and singer and star of Gomora has become a fan favourite. The former Hectic Nine-9 presenter plays Ntokozo, the son of Melusi and Gladys. From the outside, it looks like Ntokozo has it all – good looks, intelligence, the perfect family…

But it’s hard being Ntokozo. He feels enormous pressure to perform, but also has a strict home environment. He chooses to seek the kind of love and appreciation he doesn’t get at home, in all the wrong places.