Hamilton Dhlamini

EARLY LIFE

Hamilton Dhlamini was born on 15 December 1969 in Sebokeng, a township south of Johannesburg in the Vaal Triangle, Gauteng, South Africa. He grew up in a family of modest means during the apartheid era. As a young boy he sold peanuts, sweets, and cigarettes to help support the household and fund acting classes. He began his formal engagement with the performing arts in 1984 through stage plays and training, including work with the respected actor and mentor Ken Gampu in Johannesburg.

CAREER

Dhlamini started acting on stage in 1984 and has built a long, versatile career across theatre, television, film, and production. He founded his own company, Ndlondlo Productions, through which he works as a producer, writer, and director. He has also directed multi-camera pieces for e.tv (including Sangoma, Mageza, and Isipoki) after training with Vusi Dibakwane of Penguin Films. He is recognised as a prominent face and voice in industrial/corporate theatre, particularly associated with the South African tavern industry. Selected theatre highlights Ten Bush (Mncedisi Shabangu, 2008/9) – Naledi Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor Woyzeck in the Highveld (William Kentridge & Handspring Puppet Company, 2009; international tour) Woza Albert! (Market Theatre, directed by Prince Lamla, 2012; six-month run opposite Mncedisi Shabangu) Nongogo (Athol Fugard, directed by James Ngcobo, 2013) Woza Albert! (Joburg City Theatres; later celebrated at the Kenya International Theatre Festival) Selected film credits The King’s Messenger (1990) – Poacher Gums & Noses (2004) Faith like Potatoes (2006) – Simeon Bhengu (SAFTA Golden Horn for Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film, 2007) Otelo Burning (2011) – Skhumbuzo Five Fingers for Marseilles (2017) – Sepoko Jozi, Nothing for Mahala, Umlilo (film), and others Selected television roles Mzee wa Two Six – Korea Mzansi – Prosper Izingane zoBaba (SABC1 King Lear adaptation, 2008) – Lucky (lead) Stokvel (Season 6) – Mojo Khumalo Boo & TT – TT Umlilo (e.tv, multiple seasons) – Mnqobi Simelane Isithembiso (2018–) – Banzi Motaung (SAFTA Golden Horn for Best Actor in a TV Soap, 2018) Isibaya – Andile Sibiya DiepCity – Bonga Jele Reyka – Brigadier Hector Zwane (SAFTA nominee) Shaka iLembe – King Jobe ka Nyambose / Jobe Queendom (2024) – King Banzi Khahlamba Additional appearances in Home Affairs, Zero Tolerance, Saints and Sinners, Blood Psalms, Nikiwe, Legacy, Isono, and many others

PERSONAL LIFE

He is married to Martha Dlamini, a nutritionist. The couple met in a lift in a Hillbrow flat in the early 1990s and have been married for many years. They have three children. Dhlamini has spoken publicly about his wife’s strong support during financially difficult early years of his career and credits her with helping him maintain stability and avoid common industry pitfalls. He is known for keeping his family life relatively private.

Hamilton Dhlamini is regarded as one of South Africa’s most respected and enduring character actors, equally at home in comedy, drama, historical roles, and classical theatre. His SAFTA wins (Best Supporting Actor for Faith like Potatoes and Best Actor for Isithembiso), Naledi Theatre Award, and international stage collaborations (including with William Kentridge) underscore a career spanning more than four decades. He continues to work actively across film, television, and theatre while running Ndlondlo Productions.