South African Celebrities You Didn’t Know Are Pastors

Let the church say Amen.

Often times we look at media personalities and make judgements about the type of people that they are based on the characters they play on-screen or the controversies or bad press they are associated with, however many are completely different people to the characters we see on TV. The same can be said for some actors who we have discovered are actually Pastors or Preachers in real life.

 

 

To many Christians, a pastor is a person that stands at the pulpit once a week and delivers a message. Some will ponder and talk about the message later in their own homes. Others will feel good about the message for a little bit if it’s positive, or feel guilty and convicted for a little if it’s negative, then go on with their days and their lives.


1. Phindile Gwala – Ngandu

Phindile Gwala was born in December 1986 in Eshowe, KwaZulu Natal. She grew up in KwaZulu by her parents, who are Christians, and pastors in their Church. She was one of the best actors in Muvhango, where she played the role of Nonny Nkosi, a character who was full of drama.

tv’s Imbewu where she plays the role of a Fikile. She may be fiery on the telenovela, but in real life she is a pastor. She was raised in a Christian home, where both her parents are pastors so it makes sense why she would also take that route.

Phindile revealed that she started preaching in February last year and that she plans to do more of it.

“I preach on certain Sundays. I started last year in February. My parents are pastors, not the famous pastors or ones that give you snakes. It’s not one of those churches. Its an old fashioned church. I preach in Ecaleni, Tembisa and I am there every Sunday except when I am working out of town,” she said.

The former Muvhango actress who made a name for herself on the SABC2 soapie when she played Nonnie, hails from Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal. The actress is currently on e.tv’s Imbewu where she plays the role of a Fikile. She may be fiery on the telenovela, but in real life she is a pastor. She was raised in a Christian home, where both her parents are pastors so it makes sense why she would also take that route.
2. Sello Maake Ka-Ncube

Sello Maake kaNcube is a South African actor. Maake kaNcube in his native land, as well as in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Europe. He narrated a 2008 natural history documentary Africa’s Outsiders about unusually pigmented wild animals, which was aired by Animal Planet.

Sello is actually a preacher in Christ Centered Church Episcopal. However, due to his demanding career as an actor, he is not a full time preacher as he preaches occasionally.
3. Nonhle Thema

Nonhle Thema is a South African television presenter best known for presenting the music shows O-Boma and O-Access, both on Channel O. She matriculated from Sundown High School in Sandton in 1999 and left home the same year. She later studied marketing before landing her first job as an events co-ordinator.

The former Mzansi ‘IT girl ‘who spent her days living between South Africa and the United States was well-known as an O-access presenter and Dark & Lovely global ambassador. Many on social media remember her in a negative light, as she is labelled “an arrogant celebrity who had a painful downfall”. However, the former Zabalaza actress turned over a new leaf in 2018 when she was reported to be training as a pastor under the guidance of seniors at Rhema Bible Church. She also reinvented herself and got back to the small screen when she had a stint as ‘Cleopatra’ on Mzansi Magic’s Gomora in 2020.
4. Vusi Kunene

Many people associate him with being ruthless and unforgiving. The bad gangster of Generations : The Legacy Vusi “Jack Mabaso” Kunene is feared on the soapie. But is real life is far from his onscreen persona? The soft spoken Jack Mabaso is a pastor in real life. He also shares many attributes to being a model citizen and a humble celebrity.

Vusi Kunene plays the role of Jack Mabaso on Generations The Legacy, a role characterized by power, cunning, manipulation, and desperation.

Vusi Kunene is a South African actor, best known for his role as Jack Mabaso in Generations and its continuation, Generations: The Legacy. He has appeared in 25 films and television shows since 1993. In 2011, he received the Golden Horn Award for Best Actor for the drama Soul City.
Jack Mabaso is a pastor in real life

Vusi is a believer and a preacher of the Gospel don’t be deceived by his onset antics, the unforgiving and cunning character, Jack Mabaso is a devoted Christian. He takes Pastoral work seriously even if he doesn’t have his own ministry, mostly he gets invitations from other churches to peach and motivate congregants.
5. Connie Sibiya

Speaking to TimesLIVE about her appointment, the star said during her permanent tenure she hopes to serve the African region to the best of her abilities. Revered Matriarch Constance Sibiya was recently appointed as the official bishop-elect for the Communion of Episcopal and Apostolic Churches International. Her husband, Dr Abraham Sibiya, is the archbishop of the African region at Saint Athanasius of Alexandria.

The Muvhango actress who plays the character of Hungwani Mokwevho, who is in a polygamous marriage (something Christians condemn) was reported to have started the year off on a good note as the newly elected bishop of her church which was founded by her husband. Her husband, Dr Abraham Sibiya, is the archbishop of the African region at Saint Athanasius of Alexandria.

Some people see pastors as the person who direct’s the church’s vision. They associate everything that goes right (or wrong) in the church with him.

When people think of a pastor, they often get a picture of what a great pastor looks like. Some people think of Jonathan Edwards, the great revivalist who was known for his “fire-and-brimstone” style messages. Some people think Billy Graham, an evangelist who God used to spark a street revival throughout the United States. Some will think of their own pastor at their home church. Somebody who is not so extraordinary as some of these people named, but who works diligently to minister to the congregation.