Up coming actor dreams big

Houghton Village resident and upcoming actor, Nkokheli ‘Oros’ Mampofu has a dream of becoming the most influential man in Africa and a great actor that embraces the true nature performance.

The 24-year-old martial artist, singer, entrepreneur and professional actor was born in Mthatha, late Nelson Mandela’s hometown, and spent his childhood and teenage years in East London and Cape Town.

Mampofu said that he grew up in a household grounded in the Christian faith with four siblings, one of whom is his twin. He said, “Within this household I was raised with the belief system that nothing is impossible and generosity and kindness are key attributes.”

Mampofu studied at film, television and performance school, Afda, and started actively pursuing acting in 2011. He began auditioning for roles in Febuary this year, and landed a role in a series Kowethu, airing on SABC1; and was later cast as the protagonist in an M-Net film called Rise.

He said, “I started my acting this year after completing my degree in live performance in 2013.”

Mampofu draws inspiration from his father Patrick, and a motivational speaker named John Kehoe. He said his acting hero is Denzel Washington.

The ambitious, proactive and humorous, Mampofu said, “However my childhood dreams were to be like Will Smith and I had the desire to be a multi-millionaire before the age of 30 through affecting and changing the lives of people.”

Mampofu also runs a production company.

He said he enjoys martial arts and boxing because they require a great deal of hand and eye co-ordination, and an understanding of oneself.

He said, “The sports empower self confidence and my family is extremely supportive of my acting career. I feel truly blessed to have just come out of university and to be making an impact in the cutthroat industry I find myself in. I would like to thank Rolie Nikiwe, Xolile Tshabalala and Bro Hulie for being there for us as we have taken our first steps as actors in this career.”