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Cyril James Cusack was born in Durban, Natal, South Africa, to Alice Violet (Cole), a Cockney English actress and chorus girl, and James Walter Cusack, an Irish mounted policeman in Natal. He was brought up in Ireland. He was a child star on the Irish stage, appearing first at the age of 7. He toured Ireland with his own theater company. Although he made some very telling film appearances, his small stature kept him from the classic roles.

With his wife, Irish-born actress Maureen Cusack (née Mary Margaret Kiely), he is the father of actress Sinéad Cusack and the grandfather of actor Max Irons.

Tanit Phoenix was born on 24 September 1980 in Durban, Natal, South Africa. She is an actress, known for Gallowwalkers (2012), Death Race 2 (2010) and Lost Boys: The Thirst (2010). She has been married to Sharlto Copley since 15 February 2016. They have one child.

This September, rising star actress Thuso Mbedu will be seen as the lead of Sony's The Woman King opposite Viola Davis. In the historical epic feature directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, Mbedu plays Nawi, an ambitious recruit who fights within the all-female military unit lead by Nanisca (Davis). The film was shot in Mbedu's home country of South Africa and also stars John Boyega and Lashana Lynch.

Mbedu recently won an Independent Spirit Award, Gotham Award, and Hollywood Critics Association Award, and was nominated for a Critics Choice Award, for her starring role as "Cora" in Barry Jenkins' The Underground Railroad, making her the first South African leading woman of a US television series. The limited series is based on Colson Whitehead's bestselling Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which the Oscar winner Jenkins adapted and directed. For her performance, USA Today called Mbedu the "series' stunning standout, imbuing Cora with a deep humanity and empathy in her every scene, even when she has no dialogue."

An established actress in South Africa, Mbedu was nominated for her second International Emmy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in 2018 for her breakout performance on the series Is'Thunzi. She won a SAFTA (South African Film & TV Awards) for Best Actress - TV Drama for her work on the series. That year, she was also featured on the cover of the Forbes Africa "Under 30" issue highlighting African leaders.

Mbedu currently splits her time between Los Angeles and South Africa.

Louise Barnes was born on 26 April 1974 in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. She is an actress, known for Black Sails (2014), Surviving Evil (2009) and NCIS (2003). She is married to Nick Boraine. They have one child.

Debs Howard was born on February 10, 1989 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa and moved to Canada in 1991. In 2009, she attended a year long Acting For The Screen Program at the Victoria Motion Picture School in Victoria, British Columbia, from which she graduated with distinction. She continues to train and act in Vancouver, BC. She is an actress known for The Evil In Us (2015), Day For Night (2013), 1000 Things (2011) and Eaux Troubles Du Crime (2007).

Brian Pettifer was born on 1 January 1953 in Durban, Natal, South Africa. He is an actor, known for Amadeus (1984), Rab C. Nesbitt (1988) and The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999).

Nomzamo Mbatha was born on 13 July 1990 in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. She is an actress and producer, known for Coming 2 America (2021), Shaka iLembe (2023) and Tell Me Sweet Something (2015).

Pearl Thusi was born on 13 May 1988 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She is an actress and producer, known for Tremors 5: Bloodlines (2015), Quantico (2015) and The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (2008).

Born in sunny Durban, South Africa and raised in New York City, multi-award-winning Actress, Singer, Songwriter, Dancer and Writer Nondumiso Tembe is well on her way to becoming one of Africa's brightest international stars. The proud daughter of two of Africa's most successful Opera singers and trailblazers, artistic expression is deeply embedded in her DNA, though she has forged a unique path of her own, enjoying a diverse, international career in the Performing Arts.

Nondumiso is believed to have been the first South African actress to obtain a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the famed Yale School of Drama. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and Political Science from New York's New School University, as well as certificates in Classical Theatre from the British American Dramatic Academy at Oxford University, England and Musical Theatre from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. The multi-disciplinary artist has studied Classical Ballet for over 20 years and is also a certified Copy Editor and Proofreader.

Some notable career highlights include ferocious women's rights activist, Na'omi Ajimuda, on History Channel and A+E Studios' breakout military drama, "Six"; tragic Creole maid, Mavis, in the massive hit HBO show, "True Blood," and the feisty Miss Mya, on one of Africa's most popular television shows, "Generations."

She lead a sparkling cast in romantic comedy feature film, "Zulu Wedding," played Grace Rwaramba in Lifetime's "Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland" as well as the fierce Fanta in the epic mini-series, "The Book of Negroes." Her film and tv career is littered with a string of gritty guest starring roles on popular tv shows "NCIS," "NCIS: LA" and "Castle" and she enjoyed a fun cameo in Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron."

Nondumiso's theatre resumé is varied and extensive, having performed at many prestigious theatres, including the McCarter Theatre at Princeton, Yale Repertory Theatre, the Miller Theatre at Columbia, the Boston Court Theatre, Walt Disney Studios, the renowned Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the popular Edinburgh Festival in Scotland.

Some noteworthy theatre performances include a bold reimagining as Joyce in the first revival of the groundbreaking South African musical, "King Kong," earning her a Best Lead Actress in a Musical South African Magazine Theatre Award win as well as Fleur du Cap and Naledi Theatre Award nominations. She took home the Best Lead Actress in a Musical Mercury Theatre Award for her tour-de-force performance in the title role in a celebrated revival of Rogers and Hammerstein's beloved musical, "Cinderella," and a Best Actress in a Supporting Role Naledi Theatre Award for her razor-sharp portrayal of Susan in David Mamet's provocative play, "Race."

Recently, Nondumiso took on the role of a lifetime as Cleopatra in Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's "Antony & Cleopatra" and then wowed critics in the title role in the illustrious Steppenwolf Theatre Company new musical, "Lindiwe," featuring Grammy Award-winning World Music group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

An accomplished Singer-Songwriter, the multi-lingual artist's critically-acclaimed debut album, "IZWI LAMI; My Voice," made waves in the Southern African music industry, earning her a MetroFM Music Award win and Best Female Album and Best EthnoSoul Artist South African Traditional Music Award nominations. Some of her proudest live concert performances include singing for Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebration, sharing the stage with her parents at a 2010 FIFA World Cup concert the year her country hosted and her powerful tribute performances at the United Nations UNESCO in Paris.

As a writer, Nondumiso's latest project - a delightful animated, fairy tale, musical adventure feature film for which she also composed eight original songs - won Best Feature Script at the 2023 California Women's Film Festival, was a semifinalist at the 2023 Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards, an official selection and honorable mention at the 2022 Imagine This Women's Film Festival, was the Teen/Young Adult category winner and overall finalist at the 2021 Creative Screenwriting Animation Competition and a quarterfinalist at the 2021 Diverse Voices Screenwriting Competition.

She can next be seen in Netflix's upcoming romantic comedy, "A Tourist's Guide to Love" and heard on the smash hit scripted supernatural thriller podcast, "Bridgewater."

Nondumiso is based in Los Angeles, where she is creating and developing her own work, passionately engaged in social justice volunteer work and fighting for an Arts industry that is more inclusive and joyfully diverse!

Hans Meyer was born in South Africa, into a German farming family. He spent his childhood in Natal and Zululand. He also became a farmer, but then he decided to travel to Europe. A friend in Germany working in an advertising agency helped him get his first acting job, in a popular television advert for Puschkin Vodka. He helped the vodka become Germany's leading brand and he became well known and his acting career took off!

He quickly became very successful, working with many of the top directors in both films and television in Europe. He is fluent in English, German, French and Zulu. He is highly respected by fellow actors, a very cultured man who is both reserved and modest about his long and distinguished career.

Khanya Mkhize was born on 30 March 1979 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She is an actress, known for The Incredible Hulk (2008), Infinite (2021) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). She has been married to Justin C. Shaw since July 2004. They have two children.

Ashley rode a mean shotgun as presenter on 'Going Nowhere Slowly', the travel show which wreaked incalculable havoc with the notion of easy passage through South Africa. This, along with anchoring a Design show for The Home Channel, and 'LifeStyle Matters' for SABC3, secured a seat as a familiar South African TV presenter. His acting work began earlier, on stage at the Natal Playhouse, with large scale productions such as 'The Three Musketeers' 'Charley's Aunt' and 'Peter Pan'. After resigning as a teacher of English and Drama in 1997, he moved to Johannesburg and to Television (in addition to stage work).

More recent theatre includes: 'Constellations' (as Roland - Pieter Toerien company), 'Pale Natives' (as Ashley - The Market Theatre), 'Soil' (as Nic - Theatre on the Square), 'Hard Love' (as Zvi)and Claudius in The Framework company's 'Hamlet'.

He has a Bachelor of Arts, University of Natal: English, Zulu, Drama Honours degree, University of Natal: Drama; Education Diploma, University of Natal: English, Zulu, Drama; Company member, Natal Playhouse (Durban); Master class with Sir Ian McKellan; Directing workshops with Sir Peter Brook; Workshops (2008) with Theatre Complicite, London.

Thapelo Mokoena was born on 21 October 1982 in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He is an actor, known for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013), Wild at Heart (2006) and Bulletproof (2018).

Bob Holness was the second actor to portray James Bond, starring in a 1957 South African radio dramatization of 'Moonraker'. Born in South Africa in 1928 he moved to Kent, England at a young age and grew up during the Second World War. A career as an actor followed which took him back to the land of his birth where he met Mary Rose whom he soon married. They had two children, Carol Ann (born 2 May 1956) and Rosalind, before returning to Great Britain where another child, Jonathan was born (9 June 1967). His career spanned radio, TV and theatre although he is best known as the presenter of 'Blockbusters', a role which won him a cult like following. He presented the BBC daytime quiz show 'Call My Bluff' as well as various guest work and work on radio.

Fernanda was born in Natal, a northern Brazilian town on September 22, 1980. She was always very beautiful and people would tell her that she should be a model. She decided to try the Elite Look of the Year and she won at age 13, having to move to New York afterwards to pursue modeling, and never stopped working since then.

A really important step was when she went to Paris and in only two weeks she modeled for "Chanel" and "Galiano" and was photographed for "Vogue". After that all the top fashion designers wanted her, such as Ralph Lauren, Versace, Luis Vuitton, Armani and Chloe. Then she became famous in Brazil by working as a VJ for MTV Brazil on two different occasions: first at age 16 presenting a show about dating, then at age 23 presenting "Missão MTV" (MTV mission) a show modeled after Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

Fernanda has appeared in several important magazines, such as "Marie Claire", "ELLE", "Vogue", "Cosmopolitan", "Allure" and "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue".

Moacyr Góes was born on 23 October 1961 in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. He is a director and actor, known for Dom (2003), A Dança de Feliciano (2013) and Xuxa in Abracadabra (2003).

Hans Strydom was born in 1947 in Durban, Natal, South Africa. He is an actor and assistant director, known for The Gods Must Be Crazy II (1989), 'n Sondag in September (1976) and Vergeet My Nie (1976).

Brian de Saint Pern was born on 11 August 1988 in Bluff, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Graham Hopkins was born in Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa. He is known for Eye in the Sky (2015), Ali (2001) and The Lab (2006).

Jack started his acting career in Durban performing on the community theatre circuit while studying Law at the University of Natal. After graduating in 1993, he joined the Police Service and served for nine years. He started work on SABC 3's flagship daily drama Isidingo in 2002 and has since performed in numerous TV and film productions, including the heist action movie 31 Million Reasons for which he received a SAFTA nomination as 'Best Lead Actor in a Feature Film'. His most recent feature film role was on Mayfair, which was an entrant at the London Film Festival in 2018. He has received numerous awards for his performances on TV, including a 2021 Royalty Soap Awards nomination as 'Best Villain' for his role as Sunny Maharaj on eTV's Imbewu. He continues to build on the body of work that has earned him recognition on the African continent and beyond. Jack is an accomplished MC and facilitator who enjoys regular bookings with private, corporate, and civil society clients. Jack is as comfortable at blue-chip business breakfasts as he is at gala awards functions, charity fundraisers or industry conferences within the creative sector. Some of Jack's most memorable career highlights include riding in the inaugural Bikers4Mandela group ride in 2010 raising awareness of Mandela Day. He was also part of the Trek4Mandela group that summited Kilimanjaro on Mandela Day 2015. He is a member of the Anti-Racism Network of South Africa (ARNSA) and serves as a patron of the annual Anti-Racism Week. Jack remains committed to building solidarity within the performance sector by serving as Chairman of the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA).

Garion Dowds is a South African actor who was born into an acting family: both his father (Ashley Dowds) and his brother (Connor Dowds) are actors and his mother is a Drama teacher. He studied Drama at school and was top practical student in his final year. His skills include singing, dance and guitar. On SABC TV Garion has been seen as Gabriel in Soul Buddyz Season 5, Kyle in Generations The Legacy and as Jody Haines in Isidingo. He has appeared internationally in The Prisoner (2009), The Gamechangers(2015), Troy: Fall of a city (2018) , Serenity (2018) and as a leading role in Shepherds and Butchers (2016). Garion has been performing professionally since the age of 10.

Credo Vusamazulu Mutwa was born on 21 July 1921 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He was married to Virginia Mutwa. He died on 25 March 2020 in South Africa.

Alan Paton was born on 11 January 1903 in Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa. He was a writer and producer, known for Cry, the Beloved Country (1951), Cry, the Beloved Country (1995) and Lost in the Stars (1974). He was married to Doris Olive Francis. He died on 12 April 1988 in Lintrose, Botha's Hill, Natal, South Africa.

Brian Vaughan was born on 19 November 1930 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He was an actor, known for The Avengers (1961), Smuggler's Bay (1964) and Les Misérables (1967). He died on 8 April 1990 in London, England, UK.

Lee Brilleaux was born on 10 May 1952 in Durban, Natal, South Africa. He was an actor, known for Things We Did Last Summer (1978), Dr. Feelgood: Baby Jane (1977) and Dr. Feelgood: Violent Love (1981). He died on 7 April 1994 in Canvey Island, Essex, England, UK.