Bio
Ramolao Makhene (1947 to 13 July, 2003, sometimes credited as Ramalao Makhene) was a South African actor and theatre administrator best known for his role as Vusi on the SABC1 drama series Soul City, from 1994-1999.
Makhene was born in 1947 in the then Western Native Township. Years later, during the 1960s and early 1970s, he was to work as a Deputy Librarian at Witwatersrand University, but then he made the leap into acting and his life was to change forever.
Directors saw his obvious charisma and cast him in some of South Africa's landmark theatrical and cinematic pieces.
In the early days he appeared in Marabi, Athol Fugard's Nongogo and Sophiatown (which he also co-wrote). But he was also to make an impact on television, in programmes like Kelebone, Going Up, Khululeka, and Soul City.
He has played in films ranging from drama and action to comedy and musicals. He appeared in Ipi Intombi, A Place of Weeping, Taxi to Soweto and Cry the Beloved Country.
He won recognition at the American Film Festival in New York and the Lawrence Olivier Award in London, and received Vita and Olive Schreiner Awards in South Africa.
Makhene died on 13 July, 2003 after a long battle with cancer.