• Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
      • Hair News
      • Natural
      • Relaxed
      • Transitioning
      • Weave
      • 4C
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Entertainment

Happy Heritage Day! 9 South African Entertainers You Should Know

As South Africa celebrates her culture, we take a moment to celebrate the international stars that represent for their homeland.
9 South African Entertainers You Should Know
By Rivea Ruff · Updated September 24, 2021

It’s Heritage Day in SA, a nationally recognized celebration of the diverse cultures and traditions that make the once-torn African nation the powerhouse that it is today. 

Originally known as Shaka Day, this now-national holiday was originally observed regionally in recognition of Shaka kaSenzangakhona (commonly referred as Shaka Zulu in the States), the Zulu king of southern Africa. Known to have unified the separate Zulu clans into a cooperative and cohesive nation, September 24 is the assumed date of his death in 1828. 

In celebration of South Africa’s rich heritage, we’re taking a moment to recognize the South African entertainers who have represented the culture of their homeland while bringing their various talents to the airwaves, screen, stage, and page.

01
Ama Qamata
The breakout star of Netflix’s International hit series BLOOD & WATER, whose highly-anticipated Season 2 premieres TODAY on the streaming platform, Ama is one of the continent’s most rapidly rising stars.
9 South African Entertainers You Should Know
02
Lesley-Ann Brandt
Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Lesley-Ann is perhaps best known for her starring role in LUCIFER on Netflix, which entered its 6th and final season earlier this month.
9 South African Entertainers You Should Know
03
Thuso Mbedu
South African sensation Thuso Mbedu is the breakout star of Barry Jenkins’ Underground Railroad on Amazon Prime. You can also catch her strutting her stuff in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Fashion Show, Vol. 3 later this evening.
9 South African Entertainers You Should Know
04
Billie Zangewa
Innovative collage artist Billie Zangewa actually hand sews silk fabrics to create intricate tapestries that reference scenes or experiences from everyday domestic life; work typically done by women that keeps society functioning day-to-day.
9 South African Entertainers You Should Know
05
Lloyiso
South African singer and songwriter Lloyiso recently signed to Universal Music Group and Republic Records, and his debut single Seasons hit the streams and airwaves earlier this month.
9 South African Entertainers You Should Know
06
Pearl Thusi
A South African model, host, and actress, Pearl Thusi is perhaps best known for her roles in Queen Sono, Quantico, and The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.
9 South African Entertainers You Should Know
07
Nomzamo Mbatha
Nomzamo Mbatha became a face to remember in this year’s highly anticipated sequel to an American comedy classic, Coming 2 America.
9 South African Entertainers You Should Know
08
Khosi Ngema
Actress Khosi Ngema has become a breakout star in her own right on Netflix’s BLOOD & WATER, and is also an accomplished model and singer.
9 South African Entertainers You Should Know
09
Carol Ann Davids
Best known by her pen name C.A. Davids, she’s a novelist, editor, and advocate of South African Literature.
9 South African Entertainers You Should Know
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now