From Mthatha streets to online screens — Kungentandoyenkosi Maphipha, a 21-year-old content creator and actor hopeful who goes by Ntando and the on-screen persona Ta Take, says his videos stem from observing life in his hometown. In an interview with BONA, he described growing up in Mthatha and how those formative experiences inform the characters and scenes he now posts online.
Roots, family and the stories he tells
Maphipha was raised by his mother in Mthatha. He completed both his primary and high school education locally before enrolling at Walter Sisulu University, where he began his first year in 2024. Those local years, he said, supplied the raw material for his content: the people, behaviours and pressures he observed among peers and relatives.
One of his better-known personas, Ta Take, represents an ‘amaphara’ lifestyle and was shaped by two personal threads: Maphipha’s childhood exposure to smoking and his younger sister’s ongoing struggle with drug addiction. He emphasised that his aim is to examine the person behind a stigmatised label rather than to endorse harmful behaviour.
“My intentions were not to promote violence, smoking of drugs or robbing,” he said.
From short clips to television
Like many young creators, Maphipha first used short-form social media videos to build a voice and an audience. He told BONA he then reached out to the production team behind the show Sugar Mama, sending a detailed message asking for a chance to appear. It was not an immediate breakthrough — he waited months before being noticed — but his persistence led to a breakthrough role on the series created by Liya Nqaba.
The trajectory — from posting short sketches to securing a television spot — is a pathway being followed by a growing number of South African creators, who convert online traction into professional opportunities. Maphipha says his ambition extends beyond acting; he wants to carve a sustainable place anywhere within the entertainment industry.
Local context and wider implications
Maphipha’s story resonates in a city where cultural platforms for young people are limited and higher-education routes remain a key aspiration. His move to Walter Sisulu University in 2024 while pursuing entertainment highlights the balancing act many local youths perform: engaging with formal education even as they pursue creative careers.
For Mthatha residents, the relevance is twofold. First, it shows that local experiences, even those tinged with hardship, can be reframed as creative capital. Second, the route from social media to mainstream production underlines the importance of access — to technology, mentorship and contact networks — that allow local talent to be discovered beyond the city.
- Age: 21
- Hometown: Mthatha
- University: Walter Sisulu University (started 2024)
- Notable role: Appearance on Sugar Mama
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stage name | Ntando / Ta Take |
| Inspiration | Personal and community experiences in Mthatha |
| Intent | Portray characters with context, not to glamorise harmful behaviour |
Maphipha’s candid discussion about family struggles — particularly his sister’s addiction — also touches on wider social issues facing the Eastern Cape. Creators who draw from lived experience can bring nuance to public understanding of addiction, poverty and marginalisation, but their work also raises questions about support networks for families and the ethical limits of representation.
As he navigates early-career choices, Maphipha’s experience offers a model for other Mthatha youths: use local knowledge as creative fuel, pursue formal learning where possible, and be persistent in seeking opportunities. His next steps will be watched by peers and by industry professionals who are increasingly looking to social media for fresh talent grounded in authentic local voices.
For Mthatha, the arrival of a young creator on national screens is a reminder that the city’s stories matter — and that with patience and access, local voices can find wider stages.
