In the world of entertainment, a rising star is making his mark. Lemogang Tsipa, better known as ‘Lemo,’ is not just an actor but a multi-talented creative force. With his charismatic presence, he’s been captivating audiences both locally and internationally. We sat down with the actor to discuss his journey, his experiences in the industry, and what’s next for this remarkable talent.
The Early Years: A Journey of Discovery
Lemogang’s story begins in Empangeni, South Africa, where he was born on May 6, 1991. In his last year at Grantleigh School. He faced a pivotal moment choosing between his passions for music, property development, and acting. As Lemogang candidly puts it, “I was caught between my many passions. I wanted to further my studies but was still undecided.” Instead of rushing into university, he took a gap year to explore the country and find his calling. In 2010, he enrolled at AFDA, The South African School of Motion Picture and Live Performance, with a focus on acting. Graduating in 2012 with a B.A in Live Performance, he was now ready to take on the world.
READ MORE: Bonko Khoza Is in a League of His Own (And He’s Just Getting Started)
The Struggles and Triumphs
Upon graduation, Lemogang, like many creatives, faced the harsh reality of being qualified but unemployed. He took on various jobs to survive in Cape Town while pursuing his acting dreams. In 2013, he landed his first international feature film role in ‘Alien Outpost,’ playing an American soldier in a futuristic action film. As he reflects, “Circumstances and my desire to be independent led me to hold down several jobs to survive in the big city of Cape Town, and I would begin attempting to break into the film industry.”
Stepping into the Spotlight
His dedication paid off. He made his film debut in the local hit ‘Felix’ in 2013. And entered the television scene with ‘Forced Love’ from 2012 to 2016. His first major international supporting role came in the British thriller ‘Eye in the Sky’ (2015), where he portrayed ‘Matt Laver,’ the Mission Intel Coordinator. In his own words, “By the grace of God, I have never had to look back.”
READ MORE: Yanga Ngcayisa: Where Is He Now?
A Transformational Role: Shaka Zulu
Playing Shaka Zulu in ‘Shaka iLembe’ has been a transformative experience for Lemogang. He’s portrayed the character through different stages of life, physically transforming himself for the role. With enthusiasm, he explains, “I had the opportunity to play a lot with the physical appearance to visually characterize the progression of Shaka through his years.”
Lessons from Shaka
Lemogang hopes viewers take away the lesson of unity from Shaka’s story. He passionately states, “The most powerful lesson I have learned from studying the story of the great king is the exponential leverage that can be created by people working behind a united vision.”
Balancing Act: Fitness, Health, and Wellness
Staying in peak physical condition is not just a matter of vanity but a fundamental aspect of his career. As he asserts, “Health is wealth. Maintaining my health allows me to live the quality of life I desire. My body is my business.” He emphasizes that he’s determined to take excellent care of his body to ensure a long and fulfilling life. “In my line of work,” he adds with conviction, “having a great aesthetic place one in a primary position to remain competitive, especially for leading roles in most cases.”
A Workout Routine That Works
He follows a carefully structured fitness regimen. And he explains it in his own words, “I split my workouts into three days: push, pull, and leg workouts.” He continues, “On my push day, I focus on extension exercises like bench presses and dips.” He smiles, “The pull day includes exercises like pull-ups, rows, and lat pull-downs, while leg day comprises squats, calf raises, and core exercises. This meticulous approach ensures that I hone not just my aesthetics but also my functional strength.”
READ MORE: The Effective Leg Workout You Can Do Easily at Home
Diet and Nutrition for Performance
“A critical component of my fitness journey is my diet,” Lemogang emphasises. He then breaks down his typical daily menu, saying, “A typical day’s menu includes six boiled eggs, a banana, and oatmeal for breakfast.” With a grin, he adds, “Lunch consists of rice and a generous portion of protein, either tuna or chicken breasts. Dinner might feature pasta or noodles with, you guessed it, another serving of lean protein.” He concludes, “Throughout the day, I snack on nuts, rice cakes, and protein shakes to fuel my workouts and maintain my energy levels.”
READ MORE: How To Make The Perfect Poached Egg
From the Screen to Life
The diverse roles Lemogang has portrayed have broadened his outlook on life. In his own words, “From period pieces to contemporary works and even futuristic projects, they all contain a thorough line of the human story and the internal conflict of choice.” He passionately adds, “Each of the characters I play teaches me valuable lessons about what humans are capable of in different environments.”
What’s Next?
Lemogang has exciting plans for the future. He reveals, “I have a lot of music on the way that I have been silently working on over the last 2 years. I feel the music I have created has blossomed into very special musical offerings which will release later this year.” In the film world, he teases, “People can expect to see me on RYKA season 2 and some really exciting projects that I’m not allowed to talk about just yet.”
Lemogang’s journey is a testament to passion, dedication, and the pursuit of dreams. As he aptly puts it, “Health is wealth,” and he’s committed to both his physical and mental well-being. As he continues to rise in the entertainment industry. His dedication to fitness and wellness remains an integral part of his journey to success.
