Given Stuurman

EARLY LIFE

Given Mahlatse Stuurman was born on 16 January 1995 in Johannesburg and raised in the city. He was raised by a strict but loving single Xhosa mother and has spoken about the value of her “tough love,” discipline, honesty, and guidance. He began performing at a very young age. Around age 7–8 he appeared in the memorable Postbank “Lobola” commercial, in which a young boy asks his father to pay lobola for a girl he likes. He also became a regular on the youth programme YoTV during school holidays. He is multilingual (isiXhosa, Sepedi, English, isiZulu) and has experience with African and Cape Coloured accents.

CAREER

Stuurman started as one of South Africa’s notable child actors in the mid-2000s. His breakthrough television role came in 2006 as Xolisi “Speedy” Ncebe in the SABC1 drama series Tshisa, which he played across multiple seasons until around 2012. He later became widely recognised for playing Kgosi Legae in the long-running e.tv soapie Scandal!. Other significant television credits include Gauteng Maboneng, MTV Shuga / Shuga Down South, Jiva!, Kota Life Crisis, Saints and Sinners, Skeem Saam, Igazi, Jozi Streets, Lockdown, Rented Family, Him, Her & the Guys, Black Tax, Umthetho, Soul Buddyz, City Ses’la, Erfsondes, Sokhulu & Partners, and others. Film credits include a supporting role as Manziman’s brother in Straight Outta Benoni (2005), König Otto (2006), and a small role as a Township Kid in Clint Eastwood’s Invictus (2009). He has also appeared in commercials for major brands (Postbank, Standard Bank, Vodacom, Cell C, KFC, and others) and has worked as a presenter, MC, hype man, and motivational speaker. He has been associated with MTV Shuga advocacy around issues including HIV/AIDS and transgender awareness.

PERSONAL LIFE

Stuurman has been in a relationship with Nomvelo Dlamini since their high school years (around 2015 onward). The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in April 2020 (at Netcare Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg). He has described fatherhood as a profound blessing and responsibility. In more recent years, he has publicly acknowledged personal and professional challenges, including issues related to substance use, financial difficulties, and periods of reduced work. Neighbours and media coverage have noted struggles, while Stuurman has stated he recognises his mistakes and is working to improve his situation for the sake of his child. He keeps much of his private life relatively low-profile.

Stuurman has experience across acting, presenting, commercials, and live events. He has been represented by agencies such as Contractors and has skills in multiple South African languages. In recent years he has faced public scrutiny over personal setbacks after a high-profile early career, while expressing determination to rebuild.