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Nhlanhla John Lata

Born: 07 December 1968 (56 years old)
Gender: Male

Rate:

7.8

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Bio

Nhlanhla John Lata is a South African actor, dancer, singer, comedian, composer, writer, producer and director best known for playing a variety of roles on the sketch comedy television series Dube on 2 and Dube on 2 - Reloaded.

He also stars as family patriarch and plumber Mandla Nkosi in the SABC1 sitcom My Perfect Family, since 2011.

John also starred as drunken armchair philosopher and pseudo shrink Bingza in the Mzansi Magic telenovela Inkaba, from 2012-2013.

Lata has acted in numerous television series including S'gudi S'naysi, Khululeka, Young Vision, Soldier Soldier, Behind the Badge, Isidingo, Zero Tolerance, Stokvel, iZingane zoBaba and Out of Africa.

He was a dancer in the 1992 film Sarafina! and also had a bit part in the film The Air Up There.

Lata has an extensive theatre resume including such productions as Gone and Forgotten (directed by Eric Mlangeni), Sekunjalo and We! Mame! (both direcgted by Gibson Kente), Sikhulu directed by Jerry Mofokeng), the Aubrey Sekhabi-directed plays On My Birthday and Not with My Gun, The Island (directed by Jerry Pooe), The Suit (directed by Sello Maake ka-Ncube), Mr. Flatnose (directed by Martin Koboekae) and The Suitcase, directed by James Ngcobo.

He has also done extensive voiceover work, including the BBC radio drama Home Sweet Soweto.

In addition, he has worked on a number of projects for corporate clients including Tastic, Hilton Hotels, Old Mutual, FNB, Platinum Mines, Spoornet, Samancor and Eskom.

Lata is multilingual, speaking English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, Xhosa, seTswana and seSotho. An accomplished musician, he plays guitar, mouth organ, mouth harp and piano.


Television Roles

Show

Character

Karekta (as John Lata)

Sammy Sabelo (as John Lata)

Thabiso

Various Roles

Various Roles

Nyaniso (as Nhlanhla Jon Lata)

Bingza

Themba

Zenzele

CCTV Repair Man (as John Lata)

Mandla Nkosi

Mandla Nkosi

Mandla Nkosi

Mandla Nkosi

Minister Gumede (as John Lata)

Pastor Gumede (as John Lata)

Bhekumuzi

Mpilo

Pastor Mahlobo (as John Lata)

Archie (as John Lata)

Kgosi Tsietsi Motloholo (as John Lata)

Steve

Moloi

Mpendulo (as John Lata)

Doctor Nkomose (as John Lata)

Mhlangu, Head of Prisons (as John Lata)


LATEST ARTICLES

New on TV today: Sunday 17 August 2025

Reality show Kwanele Bazali begins on Mzansi Magic and Botched Presents: Plastic Surgery Rewind on E!.


New on TV today: Saturday 16 August 2025

Two wildlife docs air on Nat Geo Wild today: Dung Mafia and Heart of the Elephant.


On Carte Blanche: baking company accused of mixing toxic products and assault

Stir in sexual harassment and cook for an hour.


Saras & Kumud Teasers - September 2025

Saraswatichandra assaults Prashant but is knocked out by one of his men - and disappears.


New on TV today: Friday 15 August 2025

Slinky thriller Fatal Seduction returns for S2 on Netflix, as S3 gets into Sex, Knives & Liposuction.


Soulmates Teasers - September 2025

Sachin is heartbroken when Sayali and Paresh doubt him, but Tejas and Roshni enjoy seeing him suffer.


New on TV today: Thursday 14 August 2025

Returning shows include Match Me Abroad on TLC and Girl Meets Farm on Food Network.


Companion pack! New isiZulu-dubbed Bollywood channel Star Khanya

The 411 on the shows and times when the channel debuts on DStv and Openview.


Yosef Teasers - September 2025

Kiraz is fighting for her life - but Erdal wants to finish what he started...


New on TV today: Wednesday 13 August 2025

Sci-fi horror Alien: Earth lands on Disney+ and Netflix sings Songs from the Hole.

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