South African Netflix star Thapelo Mokoena will visit Uganda from 12th to 16th February 2026. Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU), together with the Ikon Film and Television Awards, confirmed the visit on 12th January 2026 in Kampala.
This five-day visit forms part of the Ikon Film and Television Awards 2026 roadmap. More importantly, it strengthens collaboration between the Southern and East African creative industries. Through this initiative, the Ikon Awards continue to position African storytelling on a global stage.
During his stay, Mokoena will take part in high-level media engagements. In addition, he will lead specialized masterclasses on film and creative entrepreneurship. He will also host exclusive meet-and-greet sessions with fans and industry professionals. These activities aim to inspire Uganda’s growing creative community.
Mokoena brings over two decades of experience in film and television. He began his acting career in 2000 on the iconic South African soap opera Generations. Since then, he has built a strong international profile across film, television, and digital platforms.
Over the years, he has appeared in major productions such as Bulletproof, Trackers, and Wild at Heart. Furthermore, he portrayed Elias Motsoaledi in the Hollywood biopic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, acting alongside Idris Elba. His Netflix portfolio includes Kings of Jo’burg, Angelina, Bad Influencer, and Fatal Seduction.
Beyond acting, Mokoena has also worked as a television presenter. He previously hosted Fear Factor South Africa and the reality makeover show Sinawe72. At the same time, he has featured in commercial campaigns for leading local and international brands.
According to Humphrey Nabimanya, Founder and CEO of Reach A Hand Uganda and the Ikon Awards, Mokoena’s visit presents a unique learning opportunity. He noted that Mokoena’s journey demonstrates how creatives can build global brands by intentionally combining passion, storytelling, and entrepreneurship. As a result, young Ugandan creatives can gain practical insights into scaling their impact beyond one discipline.
So far, the Ikon Film and Television Awards 2026 roadmap has held activations in Nigeria, Kenya, and Rwanda. These engagements align with the theme “Beyond Borders”, which celebrates exceptional African filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals from across the continent. Uganda now becomes the next key stop on this continental journey.
Outside the entertainment industry, Mokoena continues to thrive as an entrepreneur. In 2017, he founded Bakoena Brands, which later partnered with Bosman Family Vineyards. Together, they created Bosman Bakoena Brands, the company behind the award-winning Nero wine label and several premium African grooming and wellness brands.
Speaking about the visit, Mokoena expressed optimism about Uganda’s creative future. He highlighted the country’s young population and the strong potential of the creative sector to generate sustainable income. He also shared his excitement about mentoring young creatives and amplifying authentic African stories on global platforms.
Through this visit, the Ikon Film and Television Awards and Reach A Hand Uganda continue to invest in capacity building, cross-border collaboration, and youth empowerment. Ultimately, Thapelo Mokoena’s Uganda visit marks a significant milestone for the region’s creative economy.
