Amamkele Lithemba Qamata - Biography, Career and Films

Amamkele Lithemba Qamata, born on September 2, 1998, is a renowned South African actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Buhle Ndaba in the Mzansi Magic series "Gomora" and for her role as Puleng Khumalo in the popular Netflix series "Blood & Water."

Early Life and Education

Qamata was born in the Eastern Cape village of Cala in the Sakhisizwe Local Municipality and she is currently 26 years old. At the age of three, she moved to Johannesburg with her family. Qamata discovered her passion for acting through school productions and initially appeared on screen in advertisements. She attended Reddam House Bedfordview and, after completing her matriculation in 2016, took a gap year. She then enrolled at the University of Cape Town for a degree in Theatre and Performance but withdrew during her second year.

Career

At the age of 17, Qamata made her television acting debut as Naledi in the situation comedy "My Perfect Family" on SABC1. In 2020, she joined the cast of "Gomora," portraying the character Buhle in the Mzansi Magic series. Later that year, she appeared in Netflix's "Blood & Water," playing Puleng, a girl trying to prove that a successful swimmer from a private school is her abducted-at-birth sister. The casting director for "Blood & Water," Kutlwano Ditsele, who was also the executive producer on "Gomora," invited Qamata to audition, which she did successfully.

Qamata has also had roles in "Rhythm City" and "Commandos: The Mission." She is set to star in Matthew Leutwyler's upcoming sports film "Fight Like a Girl" alongside Hakeem Kae-Kazim.

Filmography

2016 - My Perfect Family

2018 - Rhythm City

2020-2022 - Gomora

2020-present - Blood and Water

2023 - Fight Like a Girl

Accolades

S.A. Style, 2020

Séries Brasil Awards, 2020

The Future Awards Africa, 2023