Peter Se-Puma

Peter Se-Puma (1955-) is an actor, director and playwright.

Also known as Peter Se Puma, Peter Sephuma and Peter Sepuma

Biography

Born and bred in Alexandra, Johannesburg, he studied drama with the Workshop '71 company.

He was married to Nomsa Nene until their separation in 1990.

Career

Started his career with Gibson Kente

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

As actor he appeared in PACT's Robinson Crusoe (1983) and played the husband to his wife Nomsa Nene's "Poppie" in the landmark dramatization of the Elsa Joubert novel Poppie Nongena. Wrote and directed Hamba Dompas in 1986, which became popular locally and abroad. In 1988 adapted Antigone to a post-Apartheid South African setting, and directed it in Zulu, calling it Igazi Lam (“My blood”).

Directed Kweku Ananse, a series of African folktales, by Walter Chakela

His Hamba Dompas was directed by Nomsa Nene with the author and John Ledwaba at the Laager in January 1986. He starred in the Basil Rubin-Market Theatre production of Herb Gardner’s I’m not Rappaport in 1986. In 1986 he appeared in PACT's production of Die Laaste Sondag and Die Koning Sterf. He starred in Bobby Heaney’s production of Largo Desolato in 1988. He starred in Die Storm for TRUK at the Alexander Theatre in 1989. He starred in Jean Genet’s The Blacks for PACT in 1989. He starred in Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman in 1992. He starred in Romeo and Juliet at the State Theatre and the Alexander Theatre in 1992.

He has been extensively involved in TV commercials and serials, documentary and educational programmes and his TV and film acting career includes his starring role as record company mogul "Miles Vilakazi" in the e.tv soap opera Rhythm City (from 2007 to 2015) as well as roles in Generations, Isidingo, Zero Tolerance and Going Up. His film appearances include My Country, My Hat, Red Scorpion (1988), Joburg Blues (1997) and A Good Man in Africa (1994). .

Awards, etc

In 1984 Peter won the DALRO Award for Best Supporting Role for Poppie. Won the Black Theatre Group Award for best play of the year for Hamba Dompas.