ABOUT BEN

Ben was schooled at South Africa’s first non-racial school and has a professional degree in mechanical engineering as well as a B-Com honours in Human Resources. After working as a divisional mechanical engineer at SAPPI SAICCOR, South Africa, Ben decided to pursue his passion - he became a comedian, writer and producer.

He has written, produced and starred in the hit shows Green Mamba (2003 - 2008) , Black Mamba (2006 - 2010) and Mamba Republic (2016 - 2017). These shows toured in over ten countries and scooped all South Africa’s major theatre awards including the Fleur de Cap and Naledi Awards for best script and best comedy performance.

However, Ben is perhaps best known for his alter-ego Beauty Ramapeleple who has been a regular voice on Jacaranda FM, East Coast Radio as well as the Roger Goode show on 5Fm. His two stage productions, Bend it like Beauty and Beauty and the BEE both toured the country and had acclaimed runs at London’s Oval House theatre. He won ovation awards at the National Arts Festival for Bend it like Beauty and Benny Bushwhacker - his next alter ego launched in 2019.

Bens most recent movie credits include Mr. Lilly in the Spud series. He played the lead in Robert Fraser’s Game and the supporting lead in Craig Friemond’s Beyond the River.

For TV was a lead in Dessert Rose - a drama  released on Showmax and MNet in 2022 and has just finished shooting season 2 of Reyka alongside Iain Glen of Game of Thrones fame.

Ben has also been working on a cartoon series which he would like to produce in 2023.

Ben is also the co-owner of www.earthenamp.com who retail online acoustic art.

AWARDS

2022 - Naledi Nomination - Best supporting Actor - Adventures in Pantoland
2019 – Ovation Award – Grahamstown National Arts Festival – Benny Bushwhacker
2018 – Naledi Award – Best performance in a musical – Snow White
2015 – Ovation Award – Grahamstown National Arts Festival – Bend it Like Beauty
2010 - Natal Mercury Award - Best Performance in a Comedy – Beauty and the BEE
2010 - Natal Mercury award - Best new South African Script – Beauty and the BEE
2008 - Natal Mercury Award Best Performance in a Comedy.
2007 – Naledi Award winner – Best Play, Best Actor in a review and Best review.
2006 – Fleur de Cap winner, Best performance in review – Black Mamba
2005 – Durban theatre award – best script – Black Mamba
2003 – Naledi Awards, Best Comedy Performance – Green Mamba
2003 – Fool awards, Best New SA script – Green Mamba
2003 – Fool awards, Best Comedy Performance – Green Mamba
2002 – FNB Vita Award, Best Actor – Macbeth.
2001 - FNB Vita award. Best supporting actor – Twelfth Night