Ken Gampu

Ken Gampu (Germiston, August 28, 1929 – Vosloorus, November 4, 2003) was a South African actor.

Ken Gampu
Born(1929-08-28)28 August 1929
Died4 November 2003(2003-11-04) (aged 74)
OccupationActor
Years active1958 - 2001
SpouseViolet

Before he began his career, Gampu was a physical training instructor, salesman, interpreter and police officer. His first acting job was in Athol Fugard's play, No Good Friday (1958). His big break came in the 1965 film Dingaka by Jamie Uys. The same year, he had a significant role in Cornel Wilde's African adventure film, The Naked Prey.

Background

Gampu was the son of Morrison Gampu, a former Bantu government interpreter who later became an actor himself.[1]

Career

1950s to 1970s

In the 1973 action film, Joe Bullet, Gampu was featured in the lead role playing the part of a strong action man, Joe Bullet. The character was described by The Guardian as being modelled on something between Shaft and James Bond. Bullet drank alcohol, drove sports cars, did karate, threw knives and climbed up mineshafts.[2] It was independently released in 1973, and it played at the Eyethu cinema in Soweto. It was screened twice then the film was banned.[3] This was done because the South African government at the time were concerned how it might influence the aspirations of black South Africans. For about 40 years the original film reels were stored in a box in the back of producer Tonie van der Merwe's garage gathering dust. He hung on to the reels during the course of 40 years.[4] Channel24.co.za announced on January 24, 2017, that after 44 years of absence, the film was to be screened at the Bioscope Independent Cinema in Johannesburg on January 24 and at The Company Gardens in Cape Town on January 25.[5]

In Death of a Snowman, Gampu played a no-nonsense beat reporter trying to get the scoop on mysterious Mr. X. He is aided by a detective friend he has on the police force (played by Nigel Davenport.[6]

1980s - 2000s

Playing the part of Khumalo, Gampu co-starred with Ian Yule and Tamara Franke in the 1982 film Shamwari.[7]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1961Tremor
1961The HellionsKannaUncredited
1964DingakaNtuku Makwena
1965The Naked PreyLeader of the Warriors
1966All the Way to ParisSudanese Delegate at ConferenceUncredited
1972Rogue LionMashoda
1973Joe BulletJoe Bullet
1974Pens en PootjiesDiamond seller
1974La diosa virgenGampu
1975Forever Young, Forever FreeThomas Luke
1976Death of a SnowmanChaka
1977Target of an AssassinMinister Manga
1977Mister DeathmanSue
1978SlaversMusulma
1978The Wild GeeseAlexander
1979Zulu DawnMantshonga
1979King Solomon's TreasureUmpslopogas
1979Game for VulturesSixpence
1980The Gods Must Be CrazyPresident
1980Flashpoint AfricaMatari (Eddie Nkoya)
1981Kill and Kill AgainGorilla
1982ShamwariKhumalo
1982Bullet on the RunJoe Bullet
1982Tuxedo WarriorInspector Nderi
1985MorengaMorenga
1985Van der Merwe P.I.Wiley
1985King Solomon's MinesUmbopo
1986Jake SpeedJoe Smith
1987ScavengersDr. Nduma
1987Operation Hit SquadKen
1987City of BloodBlack Leader
1988The EmissaryBeamish
1988Diamonds HighZwide
1988Bush ShrinkGapu
1988Act of PiracyHerb Bunting
1988The Rutanga TapesPresident Mbule
1989Enemy UnseenMalanga
1989Laser MissionHotel ClerkUncredited
1990American Ninja 4: The AnnihilationDr. Tamba
1990Voice in the DarkCaxton
1990Fatal MissionPresident Tembu
1990Kwagga Strikes BackTjicombo
1992Lethal NinjaNdumo
1994The Air Up ThereItumbo
1994Cyborg Cop IIPolice Chief
1995Hearts & MindsChopper-Xuza
1996Le complot d'AristotePoliceman
1997FoolsElder 1
1999A Reasonable ManHeadman
2001MalundeBaba Gusha
2001AskariNdhlovu(final film role)

References

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