Sipho Nicholas Nkuna is a versatile South African actor and singer, widely recognized for his dynamic performances on both stage and screen. He gained national fame for his portrayal of Fikani in the popular Afrikaans soapie 7de Laan, as well as his role as Nkululeko “Freedom” Nkosi in Erfsondes. Over the years, he has appeared in several notable television dramas and soapies, including Skeem Saam, Rhythm City, and Keeping Score, showcasing his range and depth as an actor.

Nkuna’s talent extends beyond the screen to the theatre stage. In 2016, he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the South African Broadway World Awards for his role as Mingus in Malcolm Purkey’s acclaimed play Sophiatown.

In addition to acting, Nkuna is an accomplished musician. His music has been featured in prominent local productions, including the Khanyi Mbau film and the SAFTA– and Red Room-winning film Thando, further cementing his status as a multifaceted creative force in the South African entertainment industry.

Early Life

Sipho Nicholas Nkuna was born on 18 August 1988 in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, South Africa, where he spent his early years growing up in his grandmother’s home. From a young age, he showed a deep passion for the performing arts, which later guided his academic and professional journey.

He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Arts, specializing in musical theatre, at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria. Determined to further refine his craft, Nkuna later traveled to the United States, where he studied acting at Ball State University in Indiana. This international exposure broadened his perspective and skill set, helping him become the dynamic performer he is known as today—both on stage and screen.

Profile Summary

Full Name	Sipho Nicholas Nkuna
Stage Name	Nicksoulworld
Gender	Male
Date of Birth	18 August, 1988
Place of Birth	Mbombela, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Nationality	South African
Age	37 years old (in 2025)
Mother	Norah Nkuna
Relatives	Fezeka Siwela, Dumsani Siwelaa
Education	Tshwane University of TechnologyBall State University
Profession	Actor, Writer, Singer
Years Active	2008 – Present
Instagram	@nicksoulworld

Career

Nkuna’s artistic journey began during his university years when he discovered a deep passion for both the arts and opera singing. He started acting in theatre productions such as Parade, Dream Girls, Shaka Zulu, Sophiatown, Oliver Twist, Rent, and Assassins. One of his notable roles was Simba in The Lion King, which he performed during a tour across Ireland and the UK. At the age of 22, he achieved a major milestone by becoming the second African actor to play the Phantom in the globally acclaimed Phantom of the Opera.

In 2015, he auditioned for the television series Skeem Saam through an agent, marking his debut on TV with the role of Sakhile. He took a three-year break from the show and returned in October 2020. That same year, he participated in the BET acting competition Top Actor Africa, where he finished as the runner-up. Later in 2015, he joined the soap opera Roer Jou Voete as Shakes Mbebe. In 2016, he appeared in Keeping Score as a Congolese athlete named Issac and made a guest appearance in Rhythm City.

Since 2017, Nkuna has played the popular role of Fikani Chauke in the series 7de Laan. He also starred in Erfsondes as Freedom and appeared in the films Love by Chance and Meet the Radebes. In 2016, he won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the South African Broadway World Awards for his performance as Mingus in Sophiatown.

Outside of acting, Nkuna is also a talented singer. Performing under the name Nicksoul, he released his debut R&B/soul album Therapy in 2018, which earned him a nomination at the South African Music Awards. His love for music began in church, encouraged by his grandmother and mother. His music has been featured in films like Red Room, starring Khanyi Mbau, and Meet the Radebes. The song Grace was inspired by his reflections on how people overcome life’s daily struggles, while Therapy reflects his personal journey of healing after a breakup in the UK. Some of his other songs include Buya and a cover of Titanium.

Filmography

2016 – Crossworlds

2017 – Black Dots

2017 – Love By Chance

2017 – Meet the Radebes

2018 – Baby Mamas

2018 – Ibutho

2019 – Red Room

2020 – 7de Laan

2023 – Love, Sex and 30 Candles

Discography

Albums

2018 – Therapy

2024 – Timeless

2025 – Timeless (Deluxe)

Singles

2019 – Udali Wam’

2019 – Sibongile

2019 – Nguwe Wedwa

2019 – Buya

2019 – Beautiful

2019 – Baby Mama

2019 – Siyaya

2021 – Baby Girl