Lemogang Tsipa

Last updated
Lemogang Tsipa
Born
Lemogang Peter Phetolo Tsipa

(1991-05-06) 6 May 1991 (age 34)
Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Alma mater AFDA
Occupation Actor
Years active2014–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.

Contents

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

YearTitleRoleMedium
2014 Alien Outpost CrewmanFeature film
Homeland Drone PilotTV series
The Golden RuleThaboShort film
Traffic!Detective Dini MasilelaTV drama (eKasi+/e.tv)
2015 The Book of Negroes Canvas Town FreddyTV miniseries
Lazy SusanMr. BeggarShort film
Eye in the Sky Military personnelFeature film
Jamillah and AladdinRich MerchantTV series
Wallander Victor MabashaTV series
2016 Cape Town Hector NtuluTV miniseries
Black Sails ChidiTV series
JabSmiley the ZuluTV series
Roots AddoTV miniseries
2017 Oasis Male NurseTV movie
Beyond the RiverDumaTV movie
The Dark Tower TownsmanFeature film
The Number IssacTV film
2018 Troy: Fall of a City PatroklusTV series
2019 The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Mike KachigundaTV movie
Back of the MoonGhostTV movie
The RepublicSizweTV series
2021CarrotsTonyShort film
Pusha Pressa PhandaThe WorkerTV movie
2022 Amandla ImpiTV movie
Blood Psalms Xhosa warriorTV series (Showmax)
2023–2025 Shaka iLembe Shaka Zulu TV drama (Mzansi Magic)
2024 Reyka TokkieTV series
2025 The Mommy Club NBO TBDTV series

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2024Septimius AwardsBest African Actor Shaka iLembe Nominated [9] [10]

References

  1. ↑ Maako, Keitumetse. "'It's a massive role': Lemogang Tsipa opens up about 'life-changing' Shaka iLembe". News24. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ Ratshetlha, Mirian (2023-09-30). "Lemogang Tsipa biography: career, childhood, Shaka iLembe and more". All Business ZA. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  4. ↑ Tsewu, Siya. "Actor Lemogang Tsipa on playing Shaka, keeping fit and his love for snakes". News24. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  5. 1 2 Ratshetlha, Mirian (2023-09-30). "Lemogang Tsipa biography: career, childhood, Shaka iLembe and more". All Business ZA. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  6. ↑ Thangevelo, Debashine (2024-02-26). "Lemogang Tsipa writes his own success story as the lead in 'Killer Front Page'". IOL. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  7. 1 2 Maako, Keitumetse. "'It's a massive role': Lemogang Tsipa opens up about 'life-changing' Shaka iLembe". News24. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  8. ↑ "Lemogang Tsipa". MLASA. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  9. ↑ Khulu, Ntombi. "Shaka iLembe's international acclaim at the Septimius Awards in Amsterdam". News24. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
  10. ↑ "Past Winners – Septimius Awards" . Retrieved 2025-05-23.
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