Fana Mokoena Biography
Born on May 13, 1971, Fana Mokoena is a renowned actor and political activist from South Africa. He has served as a Member of Parliament, initially as a delegate to the National Council of Provinces, representing his home province, Free State, from May 2014 to August 2016. Later, he became a full member of the National Assembly of South Africa, serving from August 2016 to October 2020. Mokoena is one of the founding members of the Economic Freedom Fighters party and has served on the party’s central command team.
Early Life and Education
Fana Mokoena was born and raised in Kroonstad, Free State, South Africa. He later moved to Johannesburg for schooling, where he was raised by his mother and stepfather along with his three siblings. His passion for the arts began at Woodmead School, the country’s first fully multi-racial school, where he spent his last three years of high school. He pursued Theatre and Performance at the University of Cape Town and later earned a qualification in Media Studies.
Acting Career
Mokoena’s acting career began in 1993 when he joined the Playhouse Theatre company as a full member. He made his television debut in the South African TV film “The Line” in 1994. Over the years, he has played various roles in popular films and TV series, including “Dangerous Ground”, “Yizo Yizo”, “Hotel Rwanda”, “The LAB”, “Silent Witness”, “A Small Town Called Descent”, “Machine Gun Preacher”, “Safe House”, “World War Z”, and “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”.
Accolades and Awards
Mokoena has been recognized for his contributions to the entertainment industry, both domestically and internationally. He received the Best Actor Award at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) for his role in “The LAB”. He also won the Best Actor in Supporting Role at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in Lagos, Nigeria for his role in “Man On Ground”.
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Personal Life
In 1976, Mokoena’s mother, Arcillia Mekodi Mokoena, was detained and held in solitary confinement by the Apartheid regime for her political activism. She was incarcerated for inciting a student protest at a school in Kroonstad, where she was a teacher. This protest was in solidarity with the 1976 Soweto Student uprising, which resulted in the massacre of scores of students by the Apartheid regime. Mokoena’s mother was also physically and emotionally tortured, leaving her scarred. However, she is currently well and living in QwaQwa. Mokoena’s mother is a political veteran in her own right, and her son, Fana Mokoena, followed in her footsteps in political activism.
Mokoena is the eldest brother to the late Karabelo Israel Mokoena, Tlotlisang Dipallo Charity Pigou (née Mokoena), and Mamello Blessings Relebohile Mokoena. Mokoena’s stepfather, Elias Bhuti Mokoena, is late, as is his mother’s eldest sister, Khasiane Alrina Ntloko, whom he regarded as his mother too because she raised him while his real mother was incarcerated, and later had to study and work elsewhere. Mokoena fondly referred to Khasiane as “Mada”.
Political Journey
Fana Mokoena began his political career as a member of the African National Congress. However, due to his belief that the party was corrupt, he decided to leave. His political journey didn’t stop there, as he went on to become a Founding Member of the Economic Freedom Fighters. In this new political home, he serves as a member of the party’s Central Command Team.
From 2014 to 2016, Mokoena represented his home province, Free State, as a member of the National Council of Provinces, the upper house of the Parliament of South Africa. His political influence continued to grow, and in 2016, he was appointed as a member of the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.
Mokoena’s dedication and hard work paid off in the 2019 general election when he won a second term. The Economic Freedom Fighters nearly doubled their number of seats during this election.
Transition from Politics to Entertainment
On 16 October 2020, Mokoena made the decision to resign from the National Assembly. Despite this, he remained an integral part of the EFF’s Central Command Team, serving as a member of the War Council, the party’s operational authority.
Following his resignation, Mokoena returned to the Film and Television industry, this time as a writer and producer. His company, Praise Poet Pictures, is currently working on several international productions. After an 8-year hiatus from the entertainment industry due to his political engagements, Mokoena made a triumphant return to the small screen. He landed a lead role as Vukile Kubheka in the popular South African soapie, Scandal!, thrusting him back into the entertainment centre-stage.
Filmography
- 52 Regent East (1993) as Lead
- The Line (1994) as Tebogo
- Inside (1996) as Prisoner (voice)
- Dangerous Ground (1997) as Youth
- Generations (1999) as Dr. Mandla Sithole
- Jump the Gun (1999) as Man in shacks
- In My Country (2004) as Mandla (uncredited)
- Hotel Rwanda (2004) as General Bizimungu
- Cuppen (2006) as Madoda
- The LAB (2006–2009, South African TV series) as Jaws Bengu
- Silent Witness (2008) as Katembula
- Wild at Heart (2008-2010, TV Series) as Mr Ekotto
- A Small Town Called Descent (2010) as Captain James Sikobi
- State of Violence (2010) as Bobedi
- Hopeville (2010) as Mogapi Khobane
- Machine Gun Preacher (2011) as John Garang
- Man on Ground (2011) as Timothi
- Inside Story (2011) as Goodwill
- Safe House (2012) as Officer in charge
- World War Z (2013) as Thierry Umutoni
- Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) as Govan Mbeki
- Cold Harbour (2013) as Specialist
- The Call (2015) as Sibongiseni
- The Book of Negroes (2015) as Allasane
- Scandal! (2021) as Vukile Kubheka