| Siyabonga Shibe | |
| Birth Name: | Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe |
| Birth Date: | 3 February 1978 |
| Birth Place: | Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Occupation: | Actor |
| Education: | Technikon Natal |
| Children: | 1 |
| Awards: | see below |
| Years Active: | 2002-present |
Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe (born February 23, 1978) is a South African actor from Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal.[1]
Shibe was born and raised in Umlazi, Kwazulu-Natal. He attended Ganges Secondary School, where his teachers encouraged him to pursue acting. As a child, Shibe would regularly participate in community plays in Umlazi. After finishing high school, he went to study drama at Technikon Natal.[2] Shibe, along other fellow students at Technikon Natal, formed a theatre group called Amagugu. After completing his studies he went to Johannesburg to further pursue his dream of being an actor.[3]
Upon his arrival in Johannesburg, he faced various obstacles but his luck changed when he bagged an advert for HIV/AIDS awareness. He went on to land a role in a feature film called The Stripes of a Hero.[4]
In 2002 to 2005, he bagged a leading role as Sifiso in the SABC1 drama series Gaz'lam.[5] The series went on to receive multiple nominations from the South African Film and Television Awards.[6] After he finished filming the first season of Gaz'lam, Shibe was cast as James in the feature film James' Journey to Jerusalem, written and directed by Ra'anan Alexandrowicz.[7] The film revolves around an African teenager named James who goes on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land on behalf of his village.[8] Shibe ended up winning the Best Male Actor award at the Jerusalem International Film Festival.[9] He also landed a role in the Canadian mini-series Human Cargo. The series won seven Gemini Awards and two Directors Guild Awards.[10] He also starred in the British series Wild At Heart and Mtunzini.com; however, Shibe resigned from the latter due to financial disputes.[11]
In 2006, he played the role of Mad Dog in the feature film The Trail.[12] In 2007, he played the role of Mandla Nyawose in the drama series Bay of Plenty.[13] In 2008, he was cast to portray the role of Thami in the drama series A Place Called Home.[14] From 2010 to 2014, Shibe portrayed the character of Kila, a smart, shrewd and violent taxi driver in the e.tv soap opera Scandal!. He was awarded the Best Actor award at the Duku Duku Awards for his role as Kila.[15] [16]
In 2015, Shibe landed a role in the e.tv telenovela Ashes to Ashes; his portrayal of the character Kgosi earned him a SAFTA nomination for Best Actor.[17]
In 2017, he left Johannesburg for Durban to join the most viewed South African television show, Uzalo, where he portrays the role of Qhabanga Mhlongo.[18] [19] [20]
Shibe has a 6-year-old son.[21]
| Year | Award Ceremony | Prize | Recipient/Nominated work | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Jerusalem International Film Festival | Best Male Actor Award | Siyabonga Shibe as James (James' Journey to Jerusalem) | ||
| 2006 | South African Film and Television Awards | Golden Horn Award for Best Actor in a TV Drama | Siyabonga Shiba as Sifiso (Gaz'Lam) | ||
| 2015 | Duku Duku Awards | Best Actor in a Drama | Siyabonga Shibe as Kila (Scandal!) | ||
| 2016 | South African Film and Television Awards | Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Soap | Siyabonga Shibe as Shabangu (Ashes to Ashes) | ||
| 2024 | Simon Sabela Film and Television Awards | Best Actor Film | Nhlanhla (Blind Eye) | [22] |