Top SA actors to grace Bantu gala dinner

MASERU– South African actors Dawn Thandeka King — who plays Mancgobo on popular SABC 1 soapie Uzalo — and Cornet Mamabolo — who is Tbose on Skeem Saam – have been confirmed as the headline acts for this year’s Bantu Gala Dinner. The glitzy affair will be held on Saturday at Avani Maseru and Mamabolo will be making his second appearance at a Bantu celebration this year.

In March he was present as ‘A Matšo Matebele’ marked their 90th anniversary and he attended a Vodacom Premier League match against Lioli.
According to Bantu marketing and communications manager Moeketsi Matooane, even though King and Mamabolo are this year’s main guests, stars from previous gala dinners have also shown an interest in attending again.

At last year’s event Bantu lured actors from SABC 2 soapie Muvhango led by actress Sindi Dlathu who plays Thandaza on the popular show.
Dingaan Mokebe — who plays James Motsamai — and Palo Mokoailane – who is Pheko — also attended. “Our main guests this year are Mancgobo from Uzalo and Tbose from Skeem Saam,” Matooane said.  “You will remember Tbose from our game with Lioli this year when we were celebrating our 90th anniversary. He was there and he is coming back again.”

“At the moment those are the only two confirmed guests but there are some people who are interested in coming back again this year but they haven’t confirmed just yet,” he added. Bantu’s gala dinners have become famous amongst football fans because they give them a chance to rub shoulders with celebrities.

Matooane confirmed that tickets to the glamorous event are now sold out. He said companies have snapped up the most seats.
The main purpose of the gala dinner is to raise funds for the club and market the Mafeteng giants to potential sponsors.
“Our past gala dinners have been a success and we are hopeful that this one also will turn out to be a success,” Matooane said.

This year there is a lot celebrate with Bantu still revelling in their 90th anniversary festivities and clinching the 2016/2017 Vodacom premiership title.
Meanwhile, Matooane would not confirm or deny if Lesotho international Katleho Moleko has been placed on transfer list. The former Orlando Pirates player joined Bantu in 2015 but has struggled to secure a regular spot in the line-up.

“We are not yet in a position to talk about player movements,” Matooane said. “We will soon make announcements about new players coming in and going out of the club.”

Luciah Phahla