The Top 14 finalists were revealed on SABC3's reality search The Final Cut this week (Monday, 24 July) and now it's time for them to prove they have the acting chops to win.
Two of these 14 will make The Final Cut at the end of the series and will win themselves a role on an SABC show...
Andisa Mpisi
Bio
Andisa was born in Kokstad (KZN) and grew up alternating between Umzimkhulu (mother’s hometown) and Bizana (father’s hometown). During her teenage years her parents bought a house in Pietermaritzburg, where the family moved and she attended Alexandra High School.
Her father passed away when she was in Grade 10 (2007). She moved to Johannesburg in 2009 to pursue her Bachelor of Arts Degree at WITS. After her studies she moved back to PMB. She raised money and travelled all the way to E. London, from PMB to audition.
Backstory
Grew up knowing she wanted to have a career in the arts and got the opportunity to pursue a BA in Arts in 2009 after completeing high school. She also teaches under a Theatre in Education Company.
Fave actors and directors
Actors: Tina Jaxa, Brenda Ngxoli
Directors: Rolie Nikiwe, Dominique Gumede.
Greatest desire as an actor
“I would really love a chance to explore the different genres available in this industry, especially things like doing stunts, as well as behind the scenes, such as art directing, and relevant roles.”
Asanda Hanabe
Asanda comes from Fort Beaufort, (E. Cape) the birth place of her parents. Her parents never married after having her sister and her. She was raised by her step dad and they moved around a lot because he was enlisted in the army.
At some point they settled in Potchefstroom where she went to school at Potch Girls High. Her mother passed away when she was doing her matric in 2007. She didn’t deal well with her passing but always found solace in the arts, dancing, acting and singing. This is what kept her from totally falling apart.
She’s since moved back to Fort Beaufort, living in the home where her mother was raised. She shares this house with her uncle, his wife and two children as well as her daughter.
Backstory
Although very keen on taking drama classes, she was only able to do this for a year and had to drop out in her second year due to financial difficulties. This didn’t deter her from trying to get into the entertainment scene using other avenues; by being a voice-over artist and soapie artist.
Growing up, her mom made sure she attended each and every school play, put her through violin lessons and just about anything to help her realise her dreams.
Fave actors and directors
Actors: Dawn Thandeka King, Menzi Ngubane and S’dumo Mtshali
Director: John Kani
Greatest desire as an actor
“To become one of South Africa’s most sought after actresses and renowned and recognised internationally. I want to create and grow a brand that everyone who has been so supportive of my career choice can be proud of.”
Bulelwa Ndaba
Bulelwa is the youngest of four siblings and comes from a close knit unit. Here dad and siblings play big role in her life. Mom and dad are big supporters. Early childhood memories revolve around celebrating holidays and the lengths her mom went to, to ensure that they were memorable i.e her mom baking bread during Easter holidays etc.
Backstory
Bulelwa left arts school and changed careers in 2009, opting to study commerce. The choice was made out of ‘fear’ of not being able to support herself working as an artist. This made her miserable and she found herself “poor soulfully, physically and spiritually”. The following year, 2010, she went back to the arts.
Fave actors and directors
Brenda Ngxoli:
“She’s fearless"
Dineo Moeketsi:
“Can’t put my finger on what it is I like about her. I went to school with her and she was studying music. She’s got tricks up her sleeves.”
Vusi Kunene:
“I’d love to perform with him one day.”
Warren Masemola and Thuso Mbedu.
Greatest desire as an actor
To teach children, like she does at the moment. She loves that her students look up to her and benefit from her teachings.
Cebo Zikhali
Cebo is from Empazana (KZN) and the first child for both his parents, who never married. His family moved to Pietermaritzburg in 2001 and it is here that he discovered his love for acting.
Backstory
After finishing Grade 12, he opted to study engineering because he felt he couldn’t make a living from acting. He finished his studies in 2011 and it felt like everything he tried wasn’t working out so he took a chance, took up acting after his father passed away.
Fave actors and directors
Warren Masemola. Sello Maake Ka-Ncube, Isidingo’s Sechaba and Gabriel.
Directors: Thando who directs Uzalo and Skeem Saam.
Greatest desire as an actor
"To become an award winning artist."
Duncan Pike
Duncan lives with both his parents and sisters. He grew up being surrounded by theatre and the arts and knew that this is what he wanted to do some day. Getting a BA in Drama helped shape his craft and now he is at the stage where he is working on growing as a performer.
Backstory
He started acting from a very young age. Growing up with parents who played a big part in theatre (mom is a theatre teacher and actor and dad works behind the scenes) he knew from a very early age that he loved the arts. He still enjoys acting and trying new things.
Greatest desire as an actor
"To be on the silver screen and possibly make my own films."
Kirsten Mohamed
Kirsten was born and raised in Johannesburg by her parents Rodney and Crystal Mohamed. She has two siblings, Kylie and Riaz. She is the eldest.
Although they spent most of their lives in Johannesburg they also lived in Polokwane for a while due to her father’s job. She attended St Theresa’s in Rosebank and then attended Marist Brothers’ Linmeyer, a Catholic co-ed school. It was there that she discovered her love for performing.
Backstory
Kirsten's Dramatic Arts teacher, Helen de Wet encouraged her to pursue acting. Previously she had been a very shy scholar and had considered a career as a Lawyer and a recreational writer. Now she is a full time actress and would love to branch out into writing and eventually directing.
Fave actors and directors
Actors: Kim Engelbrecht.
“I’ve followed her career for a very long time. Her recent international success in Dominion proves that hard work and patience pays off.”
Diaan Lawrensen (7de Laan)
Directors: Sibs Shongwe-La Mer and Greg Homann
Greatest desire as an actor
Winning an Academy Award.
Lebohang Msiza
Lebohang grew up with both parents, has an older sister and a brother and is the last born. His parents are Godly. Although he’s generally a motivated person, he lost this spark when he went to varsity to study accounting.
He couldn’t fit in and felt lost and was unhappy, especially when he realized that accounting wasn’t what he wanted to do. Finding himself meant losing his path a little and it was only after he pursued his passion that he found his feet again. And here we are…
Backstory
Lebo's family only started trusting and supporting him after he appreared on Generations (as a journalist). Before then they didn’t get along because he was naughty. He dropped out of 'varsity (studying accounting).
They didn’t know any of this because he wasn’t brave enough to tell them. Instead he took all the money they sent him and when they found out, it created a rift because they couldn’t trust him anymore.
Although he started out as a dancer, he’s always been passionate about acting and only started to pursue his dream in 2014.
Fave actors and directors
Actors: Siyabonga Twala. "
A very wise actor said 'less is more' and he mastered the art of this phrase."
Mmabatho.
"She’s subtle, doesn’t try too much and I relate to her characters."
Directors: Duma Ndlovu
Greatest desire as an actor
"I want to get to Hollywood."
Lerato Mofokeng Makhetha
Lerato is the middle child, with two older siblings and two younger ones. Born in Soweto. At the age of 1 he, his siblings and family moved to New York, USA where his father was awarded a scholarship to study at Columbia University.
They returned to South Africa four years later and he attended Sacred Heart College. His formal music studies began in primary school at the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School and his experience in drama performance was shaped in high school at the National School of the Arts.
After matriculating he began his career as a professional session musician playing the piano and singing back-up for artists like Tuks Senganga, JR, Maxhoba, Unathi and many more.
He has also played significant roles in a number of local films over the years. He is married and has a 4-year-old-daughter. He and his wife will be celebrating their 7th wedding anniversary in September.
Backstory
After Matric, he began his career as a professional session musican, playing the piano and singing backing vocals for artists like Tuks, Unathi, JR, Maxhoba. He has also played siginificant roles in some local films.
Fave actors and directors
Actor: Vusi Kunene
Director: Jerry Mofokeng
Greatest desire as an actor
"To tell stories everyday with authenticity, sincerity and respect."
Lungele Mvulana
Lungele lives in Jozi and is originally from E. Cape. He is the eldest of two children and has two younger sisters. He was raised by his grandmother - his mom had him when she was 18, and therefore was away most of his childhood, schooling and working.
One of the reasons he started writing poetry and acting is that he felt alone and very misunderstood. He was also bullied a lot as a child and this only changed after he joined the rugby team at school.
He’s lived and experienced life in poverty, middle class and upper class. Considers himself to be one of the underdogs and wants nothing more than to win.
Backstory
Lunglele has a lot of gaping holes in his family story life. Absent dad and a teenage mom. He moved around from home to home living with cousins etc. He sees himself as the underdog in life, having to be at the mercy of others, whether it be the rich relative who overlooked and treated him differently or just how much he’s struggled to put his ‘dream’ life together.
He loves that he comes from an eccentric family where most are highly emotional. This makes life interesting.
When he told his mother he wanted to be an actor, his mom told him how he said the same thing when he was about 5 years old. Growing up without a father doesn't bother him as much as it used to.
Fave actors
He's a “groupie” for last season’s runner up in Class Act (Tumi) and Sibeko on Isidingo.
Marko Germishuys
Marko lives in Cape Town with his mom and dad. His mom is a housewife and his dad works at SARS. He is a bit of a mama’s boy (his mom sometimes brings him breakfast in bed, with little hearts made of pastry or processed meat etc.)
Backstory
Marko started drama and acting when he was eight years old.
Fave actors
Jo Da Silva:
"She plays her villain / nice gal roles very well and convincingly."
Greatest desire as an actor
"Growing and becoming good at it."
Mpule Matlhola
Mpule hails from Pretoria. She is studying performing arts at the moment and her parents are her biggest support. She describes herself as very creative and thinks her life creatively. She describes herself as
“Unexpected, common, brave.”
Backstory
Her dad encouraged her to get into performing arts and financed her dream. This after he saw her sing at church for the 1st time, at the age of 14 (her performance moved him to tears). Growing up, she also used to imitate “Connie Moroka”, talk to walls and repeat her lines from whatever episode of Generations.
Fave actors and directors
Actors: Connie Ferguson. Rapulana Seiphemo. Dineo Moeketsi. Pamela Nomvete
Directors: The Fergusons
Greatest desire as an actor
To get more acting roles and to be able to share her stories and to get a share of the media market one day.
Nasiphi Ntabeni
Nasiphi was born in Ngobo (E. Cape). She grew up as the only child, raised by a single mother who struggled to make ends meet. The family relocated to Cape Town in search of greener pastures.
Her mom passed away in 2004 (when she was 12) and she moved in with her aunt who was also struggling to raise her own six children. None the less, her aunt worked hard to make ends meet and was always loving and supportive toward her and her cousins.
Backstory
After her mom’s deah in 2004, Nasiphi lived with her aunt in the villages. Although she was treated like one of their own, seeing her aunt struggle to raise her own five kids plus her, wasn’t easy to witness. Also, she ‘struggled’ to get funding for performing arts schooling but made it eventually after getting a scholarship
Fave actors and directors
Actors: Xolile Tshabalala, Soso Rungqu
Director: Lara Foot
Greatest desire as an actor
To be successful as a professional actor.
Sandile Dladla
Sandile lives in Durban and grew up with both his parents. He grew up loving art (specifically drawing), art history, science and physics and how (the latter) relates to everyday life.
Backstory
His dad’s passing in 2010 “pushed him to be independent”. He dabbled in a modelling career, but found he was more drawn to visual arts and the stage, especially via TV / film. He shares a very strong bond with his mother. He pushed to build relationships until he landed the lead role for a locally produced film Jersey #10.
Fave actors and directors
Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio. Vusi Kunene.
Director: Brian Khawula (Jersey #10)
Greatest desire as an actor
"To get myself out there."
Tania Kera Kubwimani
Tania was born in Kenya to Rwandan parents who fled the war in 1994. She has two brothers, one older and the other younger than her. The family moved to SA in 1998.
They came to South Africa with no belongings and less than R200 and they built themselves up. Her parent’s biggest dream is to see their children succeed.
Backstory
Acting has always been a dream of hers. She fell in love with acting when she was seven years old. When watching movies with her family she would always imitate her favourite characters and she would repeat the movie until she had learnt and perfected most of the lines.
Fave actors and directors
Leleti Khumalo. Terry Pheto.
"They are both incredibly talented, versatile and impressive."
Director: Zamo Mkhwanazi, "
an inspiring female director."
Greatest desire as an actor
"To see my myself succeed."