Jafta Mamabolo (born 21 December 1987) is a South African actor, director, writer, producer, and filmmaker. He is best known for his roles in the films Gangster’s Paradise: Jerusalema and Otelo Burning.
Mamabolo has also presented shows including The Molo Show, Craze e, Knock Knock, YO TV Hot Kids, and Xiluva. He has also appeared in Red Ribbon, Erfsondes, The Lighthouse, and Brothers In Law.
Jafta Mamabolo
South African actor and filmmaker.
Personal Details
Name:
Jafta Mamabolo
Born:
21 December 1987 (age 38 years old)
Place of birth:
Limpopo, South Africa
Nationality:
South African
Education:
Drama
Alma mater:
National School of the Arts
Occupation:
Actor, director, writer, producer, filmmaker
Known role:
Gangster’s Paradise: Jerusalema
Awards:
SAFTA Best Actor in a Feature Film
Early Life
Jafta Mamabolo was born on 21 December 1987 in Limpopo, South Africa.
Education
Mamabolo studied drama at the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg.
Career
Jafta picked up a Yellow Pages directory at 9 and landed his first gig in front of the camera on YoTV (previously Rainbow Road).
At 11, he landed a role on the youth drama Soul Buddyz, a spinoff of the Soul City franchise. He appeared in the acclaimed 2008 crime drama Gangster’s Paradise: Jerusalema as Young Kunene.
He played the titular role of Otelo Buthelezi in the acclaimed 2011 drama film Otelo Burning, directed by Sara Blecher. He was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
Mamabolo starred as Lenaka Olandele in the 2015 coming-of-age drama film Ayanda. He played Lucky in Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu (2016), a political biopic based on a true story. He played Matthew in the long-running soap opera Generations.
Jafta has also presented several youth programs, including YO TV Hot Kids, The Molo Show, and Craze e. He has also hosted SABC’s productions such as Red Ribbon and the HIV/AIDS programme.
Jafta has also worked as a broadcaster across stations including Motsweding FM, Lesedi FM, Ukhozi FM, and Thobela FM.
Actor Jafta Mamabolo wrote, directed and also stars in the 2021 film Freedom. He currently works behind the scenes as the Head of Development at Ten10 Entertainment.
In 2021 Mamabolo wrote, co-directed, and starred in the feature film Freedom, which has casts the late Mary Twala, Nomsa Buthelezi, Kenneth Nkosi and Samukelo Ndlovu. The movie was adapted from Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s book Crime and Punishment. He began working on the movie after departing from Generations.
Jafta won Best Achievement in Scriptwriting and Best Actor in a Feature Film at the 2022 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) for the movie Freedom. He currently works as the Head of Development at the television production company Ten10 Entertainment.
Imanuweli Mzingeli joined Eyaziwa in 2026. He holds a degree in Political Science from a prestigious university. Outside of his storytelling work, he enjoys reading and video games.
