Apart from establishing his name in Pop and Afropop music, Siphelele Mendela also made a name for himself in popular television shows.
Recently, Mendela, whose stage name is his surname, made an appearance in an episode of The River which aired on the DStv entertainment channel, 1Magic.
In this episode, he played the role of one of the doctors who were busy at the hospital trying to help Khwezi Hlophe, who is the daughter of Nomafu and Bukhosi Hlophe.
This is not the first time Mendela, 29, has appeared on a South African television show. He has appeared in shows such as, Generations, 7de Laan, Kings of Queenstown and Buyela Ekhaya. Now he is going to appear in the new Mzansi Magic show, Makhe where he will play the role of Khwezi.
Speaking to I’solezwe lesiXhosa, he said that playing alongside veterans like Bheki Mkhwane, Sindi Dlathu, Hlomla Dandala and Brenda Mhlongo has been a dream come true for him.
“It means a lot. I was happy because acting on The River was a dream,” said Mendela.
He said that even in this new drama series, he is rubbing shoulders with other veterans like Vusi Thanda.
“In that drama, Khwezi is a good and loving son. He lives with his father, played by Vusi Thanda, who is Jomo Thole on the show,” said Mendela.
Mendela is a native of Mount Ayliff in the Eastern Cape.
“I grew up in a village called Ntsizwa, which is on the mountain between Mount Ayliff and Kokstad,” said the singer, who is also studying Theology at Heidelberg College.
Mendela said that acting in dramas is enjoyable and one can even forget that they are just a character.
Mendela is also a radio presenter as he has had a two-year stint on a radio station called Iziko African Radio.
Mendela’s songs such as Ndikulindile, Figure Lami and Ungandishiyi have been played on several radio stations.
Mendela also announced that he is busy with a drama called ‘uMbasa‘ which is taking place in his home village Ntsizwa Mountain.
ABafana Bafana bayingombe yanaba iCongo Brazzaville, eGqeberha!