Sello Motloung (4 November 1970 – 15 September 2024) was a South African actor, presenter and MC.[1] He is best known for his roles in television serials such as Backstage, Mamello, and Ring of Lies.[2]
Sello Motloung | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 November 1970 Meadowlands, South Africa |
| Died | 15 September 2024 (aged 53) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, presenter, MC |
| Years active | 1990–2024 |
Personal life
editMotloung was born on 4 November 1970 in Meadowlands, South Africa.
On 15 September 2024, Motloung’s family released a statement confirming that he had passed away earlier that day. According to the statement, he collapsed at his home and died upon being taken to the hospital for treatment.[3]
Career
editIn 1998, he was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Award at the M-Net All-Africa Film Award for his role in Chikin Biznis. In 2001, he appeared in the fifth season of the SABC1 education drama series Soul City. He apperared as Sgt. Kokobela Bokako on SABC 2 "Nna Sajene Kokobela".Then he played the role "Nkabi" in the SABC3 drama The Lab in 2006. In the same year, he made supporting roles in two more serials: season three of ITV series Wild at Heart with the role "Lungi" and CBC series Jozi-H with the role "Dumisani".[4] In the preceding years, he appeared in many television serials such as; The Long Run, Ollie, Zulu Love Letter, Skilpoppe, Man to Man, Faith's Corner, Jerusalema, Invictus, Chanda's Secrets, Tirza and How to Steal 2 Million. Meanwhile, he played the role "Mpumi" in the e.tv soap opera Backstage.He continued to play the role for 18 months with popularity.[5]
In 2004, he acted in the Canadian mini-series Human Cargo. In 2007, he joined with the SABC1 mini-series After Nine and played the role of "Kutloano Maema". In the same year,he played the lead role in the SABC1 Christmas Eve one hour teledrama Second Chance. In 2012, he played the lead role "David" in the e.tv drama series eKasi: Our Stories. In 2015, he joined with the cast of SABC2 drama Mamello and played the role "Mr Thobejane" for three seasons. In 2016, he joined with Mzansi Magic telenovela Ring of Lies to play the role "Thabelo". He reprised the role in second season in 2017.[5][6]
Apart from cinema and television, he also made several theatre productions since 1990s, such as; Street Cleaners (1990), The Awakening (1991), The Good Woman of Sharkville (1996), The Cherry Orchard (1997), Master Harold And The Boys (1998), Cold Stone Jug (2004) and Socks & Toothpaste (2006).[7] For his role in the play The Good Woman of Sharkville, he was nominated for a Vita Award for Best Supporting Actor as well.[5]
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he appeared in the SABC2 telenovela Lithapo where he played the role "Thapelo". After a drought in the drama industry due to the pandemic, he was seeking for new job opportunities.[8][9] However, in 2021, he got the opportunity to play in the SABC3 telenovela The Estate with the role "Elias Nkosi".[10]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Genre | Ref. lppp[--[ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Tarzan: The Epic Adventures | Actor | TV series | |
| 1996 | La ferme du crocodile | Actor | TV series | |
| 1998 | Justice for All | Actor | TV series | |
| 1999 | Chikin Biznis | Actor | TV series | |
| 2001 | Soul City | Lover | TV series | |
| 2001 | The Long Run | Saunders | Film | |
| 2001 | Nna Sajene Kokobela | Sgt. Kokobela Bokako | TV Series | |
| 2001 | Askari | Sephala Mondisi | Film | |
| 2004 | Zulu Love Letter | Policeman 2 | Film | |
| 2005 | Man to Man | Milos | Film | |
| 2005 | Faith's Corner | Security guard | Film | |
| 2006 | The Lab | Nkabi | TV series | |
| 2006 | Wild at Heart | Lungi | TV series | |
| 2006 | Jozi-H | Dumisani | TV series | |
| 2007 | Jacob's Cross | Inspector Sithebe | TV series | |
| 2007 | After 9 | Kutloano Maema | TV series | |
| 2008 | Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema | Detective Modisane | Film | |
| 2009 | Invictus | Mandela's Doctor | Film | |
| 2009 | The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency | Rre Makgothi | TV series | |
| 2009 | 90 Plein Street | Vivian Letshedi | TV series | |
| Backstage | Mpumi Nzima | TV series | ||
| 2010 | Im Brautkleid durch Afrika | Taonga | TV movie | |
| 2010 | Tirza | Taxi Driver | Film | |
| 2011 | How to Steal 2 Million | Tembe | Film | |
| 2011 | Sokhulu & Partners | Shongwe | TV series | |
| 2011 | Home Sweet Home | Clever Red Leader | TV series | |
| 2012 | eKasi: Our Stories | David | TV series | |
| 2013 | Vuka Mawulele | James Mokgethi | TV series | |
| 2014 | Thola | Policeman | TV series | |
| 2014 | uSkroef noSexy | Maera Motha | TV series | |
| 2014 | Rockville | Police Commissioner | TV series | |
| Generations | Caretaker | TV series | ||
| Isidingo | Bazooka | TV series | ||
| 2015 | Kota Life Crisis | The Chief Kagiso | TV series | |
| 2015 | Mamello | Mr Thobejane / Motsamai Monaheng | TV series | |
| 2015 | Matatiele | Motsamai Monaheng | TV series | |
| Rhythm City | Hlompho | TV series | ||
| 2015 | Tempy Pushas | Jimmy | TV series | |
| 2016 | Ring of Lies | Thabelo | TV series | |
| 2016 | Happiness Is a Four-letter Word | Hadebe | Film | |
| 2017 | An Act of Defiance | Nelson Mandela | Film | [11] |
| 2018 | The Queen | Superintendent | TV series | |
| 2020 | Queen Sono | Guest role | TV series | |
| 2020 | Blood Psalms | Ancient Monarch | TV series | |
| 2020 | Lithapo | Thapelo | TV series | |
| 2021 | The Estate | Elias Nkosi | TV series |
References
edit- ^ "Veteran Actor Sello Motloung Has Fallen On Hard Times, He Has Asked For Help". Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Sello Motloung biography - Elias Nkosi on The Estate". Southern African celebrities. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Constance Gaanakgomo (15 September 2024). "'We are devastated': Family of veteran South African actor Sello Motloung announce his sudden death". News24.
- ^ Moloantoa, Daluxolo (22 July 2020). "Catholic Actor Speaks About His Craft and Faith". The Southern Cross. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Sello Motloung: TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Artist Connection: Sello Motloung". www.artistconnection.co.za. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Sense and Sensibility". www.chicagoshakes.com. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Former Rockville Actor Sello Motloung Is Begging For An Acting Job!". Mgosi. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ nleya, Ethel (11 May 2021). "Former Rockville and Ring of Lies actor Sello Motloung now dead broke, begs for help on Facebook | Celeb Gossip News". www.celebgossip.co.za. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Actor Sello Motloung finally lands a role after publicly asking for a job". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Actor draws inspiration from the Mandela Foundation to prepare for his role in new movie – Nelson Mandela Foundation". www.nelsonmandela.org. Retrieved 19 November 2021.