Lemogang Tsipa

Lemogang Peter Phetolo Tsipa (born 6 May 1991) 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 (2023–2025) as Shaka Zulu and telenovela Isithembiso (2017–2019) as Bambatha.

He 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 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

2014–2021: Career beginnings and International 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.

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.

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." News24 described his casting in Shaka iLembe as "life changing," noting the physical and emotional demands of the role.

Filmography

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2024Septimius AwardsBest African ActorShaka iLembe