Backstage cast and characters: Meet the stars of the hit South African TV series

The Backstage cast consisted of iconic talents like Katlego Danke, Clint Brink, and Baby Cele, who made the TV series a cultural phenomenon. The hit youth soap opera, which aired on eTV from May 2000 to July 2007, followed the lives of students at the fictional performing arts school, Vulindlela College.

Key takeaways

• Backstage actors Loyiso Mangena (portrayed Chippa) and Dini Nondumo (portrayed Tendai) left the industry to build successful corporate careers.
• Several Backstage cast members have died, including Sibu Radebe, Antonio Summerton, Tshepo Ngwane, Mandla Hlatshwayo, David Dukas, Sello Motloung, and Lindelani Buthelezi.
• Most members of South Africa's Backstage TV series cast went on to become household names, including veteran stars Sello Sebotsane, Rantsatsi Rantsatsi, Katlego Danke, and Baby Cele.

The cast of Backstage South Africa and their current whereabouts

The Backstage South African TV series launched the careers of many of its cast members. It was one of eTV's signature programs in the early 2000s before being cancelled, with the final episode airing on July 6, 2007.

The iconic soap opera was created by Mfundi Vundla, written by Collin Oliphant, and developed by Deon Opperman. Meet the stars who made Backstage an iconic TV show in South Africa:

Tessa Jubber as Angelica Harvey

• Date of birth: October 27, 1977
• Age: 47 years old (as of September 2025)
• Social media: Instagram

Tessa Jubber portrayed editor Angelica Harvey on Backstage. She gained recognition for her role as Erin McPherson on the SABC3 soapie Isidingo. She also starred in Loitering in Jozi as Lauren and made appearances in Wallander, Skeem Saam, and The Girl from St. Agnes.

Her latest role is Tennis Selector in Breekpunt, a tennis drama that premiered on Showmax in March 2025. Tessa Jubber is now based in Johannesburg with her husband, Anton Fattin, and their children.

Terence Bridgett as Carl

• Date of birth: April 11, 1975
• Age: 50 years old (as of September 2025)
• Social media: Instagram

Terence Bridgett won an Avanti award in 2001 for playing Chico Booysens on Isidingo. He portrayed Dr. Leonard September in Jozi-H and had starring roles in Knapsekêrels,  The Lab, Liewe Kersfeesvader, 90 Plein Street, and Snitch. His latest film appearance was as Kelly in Prime Video's G20 (2025).

Lorcia Cooper as Charmaine Jacobs

• Date of birth: November 9, 1978
• Age: 46 years old (as of September 2025)
• Social media: Instagram

Lorcia Cooper has built an extensive career as a dancer, actress, and singer since the late 1990s. Her breakthrough role in acting was as Charmaine on eTV's Backstage, on which she also served as a choreographer.

In 2019, she won a SAFTA for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Drama Series for her role as Tyson on Lockdown. Lorcia Cooper has also hosted and judged shows like Showville, Travel Xplorer, and Stand Up SA.

Loyiso Mangena as Chippa Mhlati

• Date of birth: April 1982
• Age: 43 years old (as of September 2025)
• Social media: LinkedIn

Loyiso Mangena is best recognised for portraying Chippa on Backstage. His performance on the eTV series earned him a SAFTA award for Best Supporting Actor in a TV soap in 2006 and a Duku Duku award for Best Male Actor in a Soap in 2002.

Loyiso Mangena transitioned into the corporate world and served as the chief operations officer at Pamodzi Group from 2015 to 2017. The Wits Business School graduate founded LMZ Capital in 2010 and serves as chairman of Polymath Africa Holdings.

Thobi Mkhwanazi as Coco

• Date of birth: December 19, 1983
• Age: 41 years old (as of September 2025)
• Social media: Instagram

Thobi Mkhwanazi was a child star in the 1990s with appearances in Galooby and the Gang, Word Power, and The Place of Lions. She joined Backstage in 2003 as Coco and starred in the Zulu drama Mtunzini.com as lead character Yolisa from 2008 to 2009.

The actress took a step back from the screen to run her public relations firm, SAGGIRL7. Thobi teaches drama and is a life skills facilitator.

Saint Seseli as Doctor Holomisa

• Date of birth: March 5, 1973
• Age: 52 years old (as of September 2025)
• Social media: Instagram

Lehlohonolo Saint Seseli has built an impressive portfolio in film and television with roles in major projects like The Wife, Zero Tolerance, Resident Evil, and Generations. In 2020, he won the SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Actor in a TV Comedy for his role as Vusi Twala in How to Ruin Christmas.

Mandla Hlatshwayo as Doctor Victor Ngubane

• Date of birth: November 24, 1976 
• Date of death: May 14, 2017 
• Age at death: 40 years old

Mandla Hlatshwayo started his career in theatre in the 1990s. He became a household name with his role as Siphiwe Phosa on Generations from 1999 to 2006. He joined Backstage in 2007 as Dr Victor. Hlatshwayo passed away on May 14, 2017, after being shot during a robbery in Pimville, Soweto.

Leroy Gopal as Duma Mzamo

• Date of birth: July 6, 1979
• Age: 46 years old (as of September 2025)
• Social media: Instagram

Leroy Gopal is a veteran Zimbabwean actor based in South Africa. He gained recognition for portraying Tiyane Tsumba in the 2000 Zimbabwean film Yellow Card.

He has since landed prominent roles in SA soapies like Generations, Backstage, Durban Gen,  and Ses'Top La. Leroy Gopal's latest role is as Tatenda Ngezi in the South African thriller series Marked, which premiered on Netflix on July 31, 2025.

Ryan Laatz as Gyles Westcott

• Date of birth: January 11, 1983
• Age: 42 years old (as of September 2025)
• Social media: Instagram

Ryan Laatz portrayed rock singer Gyles Westcott on Backstage from 2005 to 2007 and made appearances in Frenzy, Isidingo, Morning Edition, and Gospel Gold. He has done theatre performances in productions like Bad Boys of Rock, Feelin' Groovy, and Rock A Tutu. Laatz is also trained in pop and classical music and continues to perform.

Pam Andrews as Frankie

• Date of birth: September 7, 1984
• Age: 41 years old (as of September 2025) 
• Social media: Instagram

Pam Andrews started her career as a singer and gained recognition as a member of the 101 band, which won the first season of the reality TV competition Popstars in 2002. After leaving the group in 2003, she portrayed Frankie in Backstage, Gail in Rhythm City, and Roxy in Tshisa.

She left the industry to focus on her mental health. Pam Andrews was married to French pilot Cedric Thivlin from 2008 to 2012 and later tied the knot with Polish businessman Voytek Pieron in 2014. She lives in London with her son.

Baby Cele as Katlego Rathebe

• Date of birth: March 22, 1972
• Age: 53 years old (as of September 2025)
• Social media: Instagram

Baby Cele portrayed Katlego Rathebe on eTV's Backstage for eight years. She has since made appearances in major South African shows like Uzalo, Zabalaza, Shaka iLembe, Ring of Lies, and Is'phundiselo. Her latest roles include Minister Dlamini in the Netflix series Blood & Water and Felicia Thabethe on Mzansi Magic's Genesis.

Other actors and actresses who contributed to the Backstage's legacy include:

Wrapping up

Backstage cast members made the eTV soap opera memorable with a blend of singing, dancing, and drama. All actors and actresses who appeared on the series during its seven-year run contributed to making it a television classic.

READ MORE: Youngins actors and main cast: Who stars in the hit series?

Briefly.co.za highlighted the 'Youngins' ensemble cast. The Showmax series stars Ayakha Ntunja, Kealeboga Masango, Lebohang Lephatsoan, Thabiso Ramotshela, and Toka Mtabane alongside a talented supporting cast.

Youngins premiered on Showmax in February 2024. The show's third and final season is set to drop on September 19, 2025.

Source: Briefly News