Ken Gampu (Germiston, 28 August 1929 – Vosloorus, 4 November 2003) was a South African film, television and theatre actor. Background Gampu was the son of Morrison Gampu, a former Bantu government interpreter who later became an actor himself.Sepia, Volume 15, Issue 12 - Page 70

Career

Before he began his career, Gampu was a physical training instructor, salesman, interpreter and police officer. Gampu's first acting role was in Athol Fugard's play, No Good Friday (1958). His big break came in the 1965 film Dingaka by Jamie Uys. The same year, he had a significant role in Cornel Wilde's African adventure film, The Naked Prey.

In the 1973 action film, Joe Bullet, Gampu was featured in the lead role playing the part of a strong action man, Joe Bullet. The character was described by The Guardian as being modelled on something between Shaft and James Bond. Bullet drank alcohol, drove sports cars, did karate, threw knives and climbed up mineshafts.The Guardian, Wednesday, 15 April 2015 - Sollywood: the extraordinary story behind apartheid South Africa's blaxploitation movie boom - Gavin Haynes It was independently released in 1973, and it played at the Eyethu cinema in Soweto. It was screened twice then the film was banned.Channel24.co.za, 2017-01-24 Film banned in South Africa to screen for the first time in 44 years This was done because the South African government at the time were concerned how it might influence the aspirations of black South Africans. For about 40 years the original film reels were stored in a box in the back of producer Tonie van der Merwe's garage gathering dust. He hung on to the reels during the course of 40 years.The Christian Science Monitor, March 12, 2017 Blaxploitation movies, South Africa style? A lost era of film sees new light. Ryan Lenora Brown Channel24.co.za announced on January 24, 2017, that after 44 years of absence, the film was to be screened at the Bioscope Independent Cinema in Johannesburg on January 24 and at The Company Gardens in Cape Town on January 25.Channel24.co.za, 2017-01-24 - Film banned in South Africa to screen for the first time in 44 years

In Death of a Snowman, Gampu played a no-nonsense beat reporter trying to get the scoop on mysterious Mr. X. He is aided by a detective friend he has on the police force, played by Nigel Davenport.A.V. Club, March 28, 2011 - Death Of A Snowman (1978) By Noel Murray Playing the part of Khumalo, Gampu co-starred with Ian Yule and Tamara Franke in the 1982 film Shamwari.BFI - Shamwari (1980)

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1961 Tremor 1961 The Hellions Kanna Uncredited1964 Dingaka Ntuku Makwena 1965 The Naked Prey Leader of the Warriors 1966 All the Way to Paris Sudanese Delegate at Conference Uncredited1972 Rogue Lion Mashoda 1973 Joe Bullet Joe Bullet 1974 Pens en Pootjies Diamond seller 1974 La diosa virgen Gampu 1975 Forever Young, Forever Free Thomas Luke 1976 Death of a Snowman Chaka 1977 Target of an Assassin Minister Manga 1977 Mister Deathman Sue 1978 Slavers Musulma 1978 The Wild Geese Alexander 1979 Zulu Dawn Mantshonga 1979 King Solomon's Treasure Umpslopogas 1979 Game for Vultures Sixpence 1980 The Gods Must Be Crazy President 1980 Flashpoint Africa Matari (Eddie Nkoya) 1981 Kill and Kill Again Gorilla 1982 Shamwari Khumalo 1982 Bullet on the Run Joe Bullet 1982 Tuxedo Warrior Inspector Nderi 1985 Morenga Morenga 1985 Van der Merwe P.I. Wiley 1985 King Solomon's Mines Umbopo 1986 Jake Speed Joe Smith 1987 Scavengers Dr. Nduma 1987 Operation Hit Squad Ken 1987 City of Blood Black Leader 1988 The Emissary Beamish 1988 Diamonds High Zwide 1988 Bush Shrink Gapu 1988 Act of Piracy Herb Bunting 1988 The Rutanga Tapes President Mbule 1989 Enemy Unseen Malanga 1989 Laser Mission Hotel Clerk Uncredited1990 American Ninja 4: The Annihilation Dr. Tamba 1990 Voice in the Dark Caxton 1990 Fatal Mission President Tembu 1990 Kwagga Strikes Back Tjicombo 1992 Lethal Ninja Ndumo 1994 The Air Up There Itumbo 1994 Cyborg Cop II Police Chief 1995 Hearts & Minds Chopper-Xuza 1996 Le complot d'Aristote Policeman 1997 Fools Elder 1 1999 A Reasonable Man Headman 2001 Malunde Baba Gusha 2001 Askari Ndhlovu (final film role)

References

External links Obituary in The Times Obituary in The Guardian

Filmography in the New York Times Rotten Tomatoes