Lemogang Tsipa
Lemogang Tsipa | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lemogang Peter Phetolo Tsipa 6 May 1991 |
| Nationality | South African |
| Alma mater | AFDA |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Notable work | |
Lemogang Peter Phetolo Tsipa (born 6 May 1991) in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is a South African actor and former musician. He is best known for his portrayal of Shaka Zulu in the Mzansi Magic historical epic Shaka iLembe, and has appeared in international and local productions including Alien Outpost, Eye in the Sky, Blood Psalms and the crime thriller Killer Front Page.
Early life and education
Tsipa was born on 6 May 1991 in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, to Alfred and Sally Tsipa. After being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at age nine, he channelled his energy into sports and performing arts. He matriculated at Grantleigh College in Richards Bay before training at the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA), graduating in 2012 with a focus on acting and camera operation.
Career
2014–2016: Feature films and first TV roles
Shortly after graduating, Tsipa made his film debut as a crewman in the 2014 sci-fi war film Alien Outpost. That same year he secured his first major television role as Detective Dini Masilela in E.tv’s crime drama Traffic!. He also appeared in the Penguin Films miniseries Forced Love, part of SABC1’s “Shakespeare in Mzansi” strand.[1][2]
2017–2021: International projects and musical roots
Between 2015 and 2017, Tsipa had small parts in the British-led drama Eye in the Sky and the film adaptation of The Dark Tower. He credits his early career as a singer-songwriter with giving him discipline and stage presence.[3]
2022–present: Breakthrough with Shaka iLembe and beyond
In June 2023, Tsipa took on what he describes as “the most iconic role” of his career—Shaka Zulu—in the Mzansi Magic epic Shaka iLembe. To inhabit the adult king, he trained intensively with a stunt coordinator to master traditional Zulu weaponry and dance, adhered to a rigorous fitness and high-protein diet, and even worked with animal handlers to gain confidence around snakes for certain scenes.[4][5]
Following Shaka iLembe, he joined the cast of Showmax’s fantasy drama Blood Psalms (2022), and in early 2024 starred as Sol in SABC3’s crime thriller Killer Front Page, delivering what IOL called “a performance of steely resolve that is unsettling at times.”[6][5]
Industry recognition
Shaka iLembe set SAFTA records in 2024, earning 17 nominations and winning 12 awards—including Best TV Drama—making it the most-awarded series in the ceremony’s history; as the lead actor, Tsipa’s performance was central to this success.[7]
News24 described his casting in Shaka iLembe as “life-changing,” noting the physical and emotional demands of the role.[7]
Personal life
Tsipa speaks Zulu, Xhosa, Tswana, English and Afrikaans, often drawing on this multilingual ability to enrich his character work. He remains private about his personal relationships but has been open about how managing ADHD informed his creative drive.[8]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Alien Outpost | Crewman | Feature film |
| Homeland | Drone Pilot | TV series | |
| The Golden Rule | Thabo | Short film | |
| Traffic! | Detective Dini Masilela | TV drama (eKasi+/e.tv) | |
| 2015 | The Book of Negroes | Canvas Town Freddy | TV miniseries |
| Lazy Susan | Mr. Beggar | Short film | |
| Eye in the Sky | Military personnel | Feature film | |
| Jamillah and Aladdin | Rich Merchant | TV series | |
| Wallander | Victor Mabasha | TV series | |
| 2016 | Cape Town | Hector Ntulu | TV miniseries |
| Black Sails | Chidi | TV series | |
| Jab | Smiley the Zulu | TV series | |
| Roots | Addo | TV miniseries | |
| 2017 | Oasis | Male Nurse | TV movie |
| Beyond the River | Duma | TV movie | |
| The Dark Tower | Townsman | Feature film | |
| The Number | Issac | TV film | |
| 2018 | Troy: Fall of a City | Patroklus | TV series |
| 2019 | The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind | Mike Kachigunda | TV movie |
| Back of the Moon | Ghost | TV movie | |
| The Republic | Sizwe | TV series | |
| 2021 | Carrots | Tony | Short film |
| Pusha Pressa Phanda | The Worker | TV movie | |
| 2022 | Amandla | Impi | TV movie |
| Blood Psalms | Xhosa warrior | TV series (Showmax) | |
| 2023–2025 | Shaka iLembe | Shaka Zulu | TV drama (Mzansi Magic) |
| 2024 | Reyka | Tokkie | TV series |
| 2025 | The Mommy Club NBO | TBD | TV series |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Septimius Awards | Best African Actor | Shaka iLembe | Nominated | [9][10] |
References
- ^ Maako, Keitumetse. "'It's a massive role': Lemogang Tsipa opens up about 'life-changing' Shaka iLembe". News24. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ Tabalia, Jedidah (2019-09-02). "Meet Lemogang Tsipa: what is this South African actor up to in 2024? - Briefly.co.za". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ Ratshetlha, Mirian (2023-09-30). "Lemogang Tsipa biography: career, childhood, Shaka iLembe and more". All Business ZA. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ Tsewu, Siya. "Actor Lemogang Tsipa on playing Shaka, keeping fit and his love for snakes". News24. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ a b Ratshetlha, Mirian (2023-09-30). "Lemogang Tsipa biography: career, childhood, Shaka iLembe and more". All Business ZA. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ Thangevelo, Debashine (2024-02-26). "Lemogang Tsipa writes his own success story as the lead in 'Killer Front Page'". IOL. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ a b Maako, Keitumetse. "'It's a massive role': Lemogang Tsipa opens up about 'life-changing' Shaka iLembe". News24. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ "Lemogang Tsipa". MLASA. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ Khulu, Ntombi. "Shaka iLembe's international acclaim at the Septimius Awards in Amsterdam". News24. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
- ^ "Past Winners – Septimius Awards". Retrieved 2025-05-23.
External links
- Lemogang Tsipa at IMDb
- Lemogang Tsipa at TVSA