Luzuko S'phelo Nteleko (16 February 1984 – 21 June 2021) was a South African actor and entrepreneur.[1] He is best known for the roles in the television serials Mfolozi Street, Zone 14, Streets of Mangaung, Gauteng Maboneng and Muvhango.[2][3][4]

Luzuko Nteleko
Born
Luzuko S'phelo Nteleko

(1984-02-16)16 February 1984
Sebokeng, South Africa
Died21 June 2021(2021-06-21) (aged 37)
Gauteng, South Africa
Alma materTechnikon Witwatersrand
Occupation(s)Actor, Entrepreneur
Years active2002–2018

Personal life

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Luzuko Nteleko was born on 16 February 1984 in Sebokeng, Gauteng, South Africa. He left home at the age of 19 and moved to Johannesburg to pursue a career. He enrolled at Technikon Witwatersrand to study tourism management, but dropped out in 2002.[5] He had five sisters and two brothers including, Nomsa Nteleko.[6][7]

In 2019, Nteleko was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer.[8][9] In 2021, he spent seven weeks in ICU in a coma.[10] He died on 21 June 2021, at the age of 37.[11] A memorial service was held on 26 July 2021 at 1pm at Sebokeng, Zone 14 Sports Centre. Public participation was restricted due to COVID-19 pandemic, but the service was streamed live on YouTube and broadcast on channel 504 on Mpumalanga Broadcasting Television at 6pm. His remains were laid to rest at his family home in the Eastern Cape on 2 July 2021.[12][13]

Career

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In early 2000s, he made popular appearances in advertisements, particularly remembered for Absa's banking App TV commercial. In 2004, he got the opportunity to join with a British production house and played the lead role of a DStv's Discovery Channel docu-drama.[6]

In 2005, he joined the third season of the SABC1 drama serial Zone 14 with the role of "Loyiso". The role became very popular, where he continued to play the role in fourth season as well. In 2012, he appeared as "Student Constable Lebogang Chuene" on season one of SABC2 Police Procedural serial Streets of Mangaung. In 2014, he played the role of "Jacob Boy" in the Mzansi Magic miniseries 4 Hours. Later in the same year, he appeared in the SABC1 sitcom Single Galz with a guest role of "Bobby".[5]

Then in 2015, he acted in the SABC2 soap opera Muvhango, by playing the role of "Lwazi". In the same year, he had the recurring role of "Lwazi" on the SABC1 drama serial Mfolozi Street. He continued to play the role until 2016. In 2016, he joined the third season of SABC1 fashion drama serial Tempy Pushas, where he played the role of "X".[5] In 2018, he acted in the LGBTQ US drama series About Him and played the role of "Zumbi".[14] His final television appearance came through the Mzansi political serial Ambitions with the role of "Wandile Cibane".[15][16]

He was also a businessman, who owned an educational & industrial theatre and promotions company.[5] He was also a soccer player.[6]

Filmography

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Year Film Role Genre Ref.
2005 Zone 14 Loyiso TV series
2010 City Ses'la Guest Star TV series
2012 Streets of Mangaung Student Constable Lebogang Chuene TV series
2013 isiPantsula Xolani TV series
2013 eKasi: Our Stories John TV series
2013 Mzansi Love JJ TV series
2014 Single Galz Bobby TV series
2014 Gauteng Maboneng Byron "Two Feet" Majozi TV series
2014 4 Hours Jacob Boy TV series
2014 Mfolozi Street Lwazi TV series
2015 Muvhango Lwazi TV series
2016 Keeping Score Zuko TV series
2016 Tempy Pushas X TV series
2017 Isidingo Manqoba TV series
2017 Ring of Lies OPW Director TV series
2018 About Him Zumbi TV series
2018 Ambitions Wandile Cibane TV series

References

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  1. ^ "South Africans pay respect to actor Luzuko Nteleko wey die at 36". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  2. ^ "SA mourns the death of actor Luzuko Nteleko: eNCA". www.enca.com. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  3. ^ Magadla, Mahlohonolo. "Tributes pour in for late actor Luzuko Nteleko". Truelove. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Luzuko Nteleko declined interviews on his cancer out of respect for his family". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d "Luzuko Nteleko: TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "The sky now the limit as things go right for Luzuko Nteleko". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Mamello actor Luzuko: I didn't want to be a pamphlet boy forever". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  8. ^ Morkel, Graye. "South African actor Luzuko Nteleko dies". Channel. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  9. ^ "The life and times of Luzuko Nteleko, TV star and people's person". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Mzansi mourns the death of 'Muvhango' actor Luzuko Nteleko". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  11. ^ "Actor Luzuko Nteleko has died". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  12. ^ "Late actor Luzuko Nteleko's memorial and funeral service details revealed". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  13. ^ "Nteleko family 'deeply saddened' by death of Luzuko". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  14. ^ "Luzuko Nteleko shares details on starring in US drama series". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Last TshisaLIVE Interview: Luzuko Nteleko was heartbroken about the state of SA". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  16. ^ "Luzuko Nteleko talks new drama, Ambitions". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 9 November 2021.