Africa’s Top 20 Actors and Actresses in 2012

As the year 2012 winds down, we at Konnect Africa are taking stock of those movie stars who lit up the screens in 2012. This list is not conclusive though, but do enjoy!!!

What better place to start of, than with Majid Michael, the African Movie Academy Award [AMAA] best Actor for the year 2012?

Majid Michael is a Ghanaian actor. He received a nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2009. In 2012 he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the movie, ‘Somewhere in Africa’.

Nigerian Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is an Actress and Singer. Her blockbuster movies include ‘Ties That Bind’, ‘Amina’ ‘Games Men Play’ ‘Last Flight out of Abuja’ and her breakout movie, ‘Mortal Inheritance.’ Omotola was honoured as the First Ever African BEFFTA Film Icon for her contribution to the film industry in Africa, Europe and globally.

David Oyelowo is a Nigerian Actor best known for his role in the Last King of Scotland and also the popular TV show, The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

Joseph Van Vicker, better known as Van Vicker, is a Ghanaian actor. He received two nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Upcoming Actor at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2008.

Mercy Johnson Ozioma, popularly known as Mercy Johnson, is a Nigerian actress who made her acting debut in the movie, “The Maid” in which she played the role of a possessed house help.

Hakeem Kae-Kazim is a Nigerian-born, English-raised South African actor now living in Los Angeles, California, who is best known for his role as warlord and terrorist Colonel Ike Dubaku on the television movie 24: Redemption (2008) and Season 7 of the action series 24, in 2009. He starred in the box office hit, “Last flight to Abuja” alongside Omotola Jalade Ekeinde. He was nominated at the AMAA Awards in 2012 for best actor, for the movie, ‘Man on Ground.’

Rita Uchenna Nkem Dominic Waturuocha is a Nigerian Actress. In 2012 she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the movie, ‘Shattered’.

Wale Ojo is a Nigerian Actor who has lived and practised his craft on stage and screen in the UK and the US. He was nominated for best Actor in a leading role for the movie ‘Phone Swap’ at the AMAA Awards 2012.

Nse Ikpe Etim is a Nigerian Actress. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2009. Her filmography includes Phone Swap[ for which she bagged a best Actress Award at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2012], Black Gold, Inale, Edikan, Kiss and Tell, Edikan 2, amongst others.

John Dumelo is a Ghanaian Actor. His filmography includes ‘Kingdom On Earth’, ‘The Maidens’, ‘Royalty Apart’, ‘Single Six’, ‘Brides War’ amongst others. He also starred in the AMAA nominated movie, ‘Ties That Bind.’

Kudzai Nyarai Sevenzo is a Zimbabwean Actress and Singer. She was nominated for best Actress for her role in ‘Playing Warriors’ a Zimbabwean feature film at the Africa Movie Academy Awards 2012.

Chet Anekwe is a Nigerian Actor and filmmaker who was raised in New York City. His work spans Hollywood, Nollywood and the New York Theatre. He was nominated for AMAA 2012 Best Actor in a ading Role for “Unwanted Guest”. He won the 2012 GIAMA Award for Best Actor in a Diaspora Film for ‘Bianca’ and the 2012 NAFCA award for Best Actor in a Diaspora Film for ‘Unwanted Guest’. His filmography includes “On Bended Knee” with Chioma Chukwuka Apotha, “Busted Life” and “Exposure” with Ramsey Nouh, “Second Chances” with Patience Ozokwor, “Paparazzi” and “Bianca” with Van Vicker, “Nightshift” with Desmond Elliot, “30 Days” with Genevieve Nnaji.

Funke Ayotunde Akindele is a Nigerian Actress, Writer, Producer and Director. In 2009 she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and is well known for her movie series, ‘Jenifa’. Her latest movie, ‘A Wish’ has received rave reviews.

Menzi Ngubane is a South African actor best known for his role as Sibusiso Dlomo, or Ngamla, on Generations. He is allegedly South Africa’s best known Actor. He received an AMAA nomination for best Actor for his role in ‘How To Steal 2 Million.’

Patience Ozokwor aka Mama G is a Nigerian actress. She has been in over 200 movies till date. Her filmography includes 2012-Turning Point, ‘The Wish’, Heavy Storm (video), 2009 Missing Child, 2009 Missing Child 2, 2009 Personal Desire, the list is seemingly unending.

Joseph Benjamin is a Nigerian Actor, Model and Presenter. He was thrust into the limelight as a Presenter for the popular MTN Project Fame reality talent show. He has since starred in ‘Tango with Me,’ and ‘Kiss and Tell’. Joseph Benjamin won the ‘Best Actor in an English speaking role’ Award at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2012 for his role in ‘Married but Living Single.’

Ama K. Abebrese is an Award winning Ghanaian Actress, and TV Presenter  with a wealth of experience in Film, Television and Media. She starred opposite Hollywood actress Kimberly Elise and Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde in the movie ‘Ties that Bind’ 2011. The film topped the nominations of the 2011 Ghana Movie Awards with a staggering 21 nominations and won 9 awards including Best Film. It won Best Diaspora Film at 2012, San Diego Black Film Festival. She was nominated for ‘Best Actress’ in a Lead Role, at the 2012 Africa Movie Academy Awards 2012 in the second consecutive year making her the only Ghanaian actor/actress to ever do so.

Yvonne Okoro is a Ghanaian actress. She was awarded the Ghana Movie Award’s Best Actress Award in 2010 and has been nominated for AMAA Best Actress Award twice in a row in 2011 and 2012 for her movie ‘Pool Party’ and ‘Single Six’.

Ramsey Tokunbo Nouah Jr, is a Nigerian Actor. In 2010 he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. His 2012 movies include ‘Unguarded’, and ‘Hotel Babylon’ for which he was nominated as a ‘Best Actor-African Collaboration’ at the Ghana Movie Awards.

Damilola Adegbite is a Nigerian Actress who is known to many as ‘Telema Duke’ of Tinsel fame. She finishes up our roll call. She has starred in a Ghanaian movie, ‘6 Hours to Christmas’, the ‘Vagina Monologues’ stage production and most recently, the soon to be released movie, ‘Flower Girl; by Michelle Bello.

 So there you have it. Who else do you think should be a part of this list? Feel free to share.

May 2013 bring joy and prosperity our way, Amen!!!