For 21-year-old Mthatha-born content creator and aspiring actor Kungentandoyenkosi Maphipha, better known as Ntando or his social media character Ta Take, the journey into entertainment is about more than creating funny videos — it is about turning his experiences into stories that people can recognise.
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In an interview with BONA, Ntando opened up about growing up in Mthatha, the experiences that influenced his content, his breakthrough appearance on Liya Nqaba’s brainchild, Sugar Mama and his hopes of building a future in the entertainment industry.
Raised by his mother, Ntando says his childhood was shaped by the absence of his father, who was frequently in and out of jail.
He completed his primary and high school education in Mthatha before enrolling at Walter Sisulu University, where he began his first year in 2024.
Turning real-life experiences into content
Ntando’s content is influenced by the environment he grew up in and the people around him.
One of his characters, Ta Take, which depicts an ‘amaphara’ lifestyle, was inspired by his childhood experiences with smoking as well as his younger sister’s ongoing struggle with drug addiction.
“My intentions were not to promote violence, smoking of drugs or robbing,” he explained. Instead, Ntando wanted to explore the human beings behind a label that is often used to judge people.
“I wanted to show people how they think, how they react and talk when they are under that influence,” he said.
His approach is rooted in the idea that people who are often dismissed as ‘amaphara’ are still part of communities and, in some cases, families.
Taking a chance on his dream
Entertainment has always been Ntando’s dream.
While he is particularly interested in acting, he is open to finding his place anywhere within the entertainment industry. After sharing his short videos on social media, he decided to take a chance and contact the team behind Sugar Mama.
He sent a lengthy message asking for an opportunity to appear in one of their episodes. It was not an immediate yes — he waited for months before his work caught their attention.
Eventually, he was cast on the show.
The opportunity gave Ntando his first taste of working on a professional production set, where he was able to interact with actors and directors.
It also opened doors for him to create short-form content alongside some of the people he met through the production. He says the experience had a positive impact on his brand and strengthened his desire to pursue entertainment professionally.
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Looking for people who share his passion
As he continues to establish himself, Ntando says collaboration is important, but he wants to work with people who are genuinely committed to what they do.
“For me to work with you, I have to see dedication in you, the hunger of doing this and definitely someone who is doing it out of love,” he said.
He is also interested in collaborating with creatives who are based relatively close to him, allowing them to work together more easily.
More than entertainment
While building his own career remains a priority, Ntando also dreams of giving back to the community that raised him.
He says there may be plans for a community-focused initiative in the future, although financial constraints have made it difficult to bring some of his ideas to life.
Among his wishes is to donate sanitary pads and toiletries to a nearby high school.
He would also like to organise events and games for children in his area, creating opportunities for young people to have fun and participate in positive activities.
For Ntando, finding his place in entertainment is ultimately about using his creativity to tell stories, connect with audiences and create opportunities — while staying connected to Mthatha and the experiences that shaped him.
His journey from posting short videos online to stepping onto a professional set is still unfolding, but Ntando is determined to see where his passion can take him.
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