We all heard the Mandela’s famous quote “Education is the Key to success” but for some it’s absolutely not true. Some people made it without degrees such as the actors we will be looking at. So, we are going to talk about 10 Uneducated Actors who made it in the Industry.
Number 1: Somizi Mhlongo
If you know the film Sarafina, then you know Somizi Mhlongo, he started acting at the age of 13 before he even matriculated. Apart from starring in Sarafina, he appeared as a judge in Idols but he has no formal education at all. Perhaps he became a star in acting because it runs through his blood from his parents. Somizi’s mother Mary Twala was an actor as well as his father Ndaba Mhlongo, so, seeing Somizi in the industry shouldn’t surprise us, it’s in his blood. [1]
Number 2: Trevor Noah
South African stand up comedian Trevor is among those who succeeded because of pure talent in arts industry. After attending primary school at Maryvale College and high school in Joburg, Trevor landed his first acting role in Isidingo in 2002 without an acting degree. He then hosted television and radio shows plus international stand up comedy shows without an degree in any of those fields. Today Trevor is one of the best stand up comedian in the world and the whole nation of Mzansi is proud of him.
Number 3: Bonang Matheba
The first black South African to appear on numerous magazines is Bonang Matheba and she did all that with no relevant education. She enrolled at the University of Johannesburg to study for bachelor’s degree in marketing but later dropped out before completing her studies. After that Bonang appeared in numerous television programs and dramas including Intersexions as Seipati, in Public Figure, Top Billing and Clash of the Choirs SA. She did all this without an degree in television presentations or acting.
Number 4: Masoja Msiza
Another celebrated actor with no qualifications is Masoja Msiza who is known for playing the role of Nkunzi Mhlongo in Uzalo. He is one of those actors whom fans love to hate mostly for his Uzalo role. He nails that role that others think Masoja is cruel in real life but he is not cruel but generous in assisting others in the industry.
Related Posts :
- Who exactly is Sabelo Ernest Radebe AKA Magolide From Smoke and Mirrors Biography
- Donna Chasaya aka Chipo the trouble causer, age, education, Career and personal life
- 7 Mzansi Celebs Who unbelievably Married and Divorced many times
Number 5: Thembi Seete
If you research about Thembi Seete’s education you will get no results, this is because Thembi didn’t succeed because of education but because of pure talent. She is a multifaceted artist: a musician, actress, model and media personality. She is known for playing Gladys in the Mzansi Magic drama Gomora and for appearing in Yizo Yizo.
Number 6: Charlize Theron
One of the highest paid actress in the world Charlize Theron dropped out of school for arts to go and reside in New York. There she attended Joffrey Ballet School where she learned dancing but her knee got injured and she relocated to Los Angeles where she started her acting career. Out of pure acting talent, Charlize became one of the best international or Hollywood actress who earns very highly. She appeared in The Devil’s Advocate, Mighty Joe Young and other films. [2]
Number 7: Siyabonga Thwala
Successful businessman, actor and producer Siyabonga Thwala is among the most inspirational people who succeeded with no much of education. According to his Wikipedia bio, Siyabonga has no record of any education, but it doesn’t mean he is not educated at all but he is just probably without formal higher education. Siyabonga is known for playing Vusi Zwane in etv’s Scandal, for playing Paul Mashaba in Generations and Busang in Muvhango. He has been in the industry since 1989 until today.
Number 8: Leleti Khumalo
Another actress who succeeded with no much education is Leleti Khumalo. Most people know her for playing and starring in Sarafina film. She appeared in Uzalo, Generations, Imbewu and more but she was never trained for that in any college. The only field of art she was trained for is dancing, from high school until she joined Amajika dancing group specifically trained by Tu Nokwe.
Number 9: Baby Cele
Former Uzalo actress Baby Cele is amongst those actors who made it without any degree. She played exceptionally well the role of Gabisile Mdletshe and for acting in Sarafina alongside Leleti Khumalo. She isn’t completely uneducated as her LinkedIn bio shows that she attended University of South Africa but it’s not clear what did she studied for. [3]
Number 10: Pearl Thusi
So, actress Pearl Thusi attended Pinetown Girls High School where she probably got some acting lessons after that she attended at the University of the Witswaterstrand but later dropped out to become an actor. So, this means she has no degree for acting like the rest of the actors we spoke about. But she is one of the most successful actors, models and presenters in South Africa. She hosted Lip Sync Battle Africa and starred in Isidingo as Palesa Motaung. Some knows her for Netflix crime drama series Queen Sono where she played by the name of the series as Queen Sono.
