A group of adrenaline-addled freedom fighters, armed with bullets and a request for societal liberation of Black South Africans, become embroiled in a tense hostage situation with authorities. They’re forced to ask the difficult question: What are you willing to do in the pursuit of freedom? 

Director Mandla Dube’s thought-provoking drama Silverton Siege was inspired by the real-life 1980 incident that sparked the “Free Mandela” movement. It follows Calvin Khumalo (Thabo Rametsi), Mbali Terra (Noxolo Dlamini) and Aldo Erasmus (Stefan Erasmus), soldiers from the Umkhonto we Sizwe, a liberation army known as MK founded by the anti-apartheid political leader Nelson Mandela. Things get tense for the trio after their mission to sabotage a fueling depot goes awry and leads to a high-speed car chase with the police. The soldiers end up seeking refuge and subsequently taking customers hostage in a South African bank in Silverton, Pretoria, demanding the release of Mandela in exchange. 

Silverton Siege can be a tense, emotional watch, highlighting the segregationist policies of South Africa’s pro-apartheid government. The freedom fighters are plagued by the mounting pressures of apartheid law, and they passionately pursue peace. Our main character Calvin asks the police: “If our lives are worth nothing, then maybe we negotiate for a life that is worth everything.” 

Silverton Siege is packed with diverse South African actors that bring this story to life. Here’s your definitive guide to its cast.

Thabo Rametsi as Calvin Khumalo

South African actor Thabo Rametsi plays Silverton Siege leader Calvin Khumalo with fiery passion and gentle humanity. Calvin is conflicted after witnessing the death of his parents at the hands of the police as a young child — he wants both vengeance and peace. As an adult, Calvin joins the ranks of MK, a freedom fighting group aimed at dismantling the South African government. When Mandela is imprisoned, Calvin and his fellow MK soldiers seize control of a bank to take a stand against apartheid. 

This is not Rametsi’s first time in a movie set during the height of South African apartheid. In 2016, he starred as the titular role in the biopic Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu, which follows a young anti-apartheid activist who was executed by the government at the age of 23. He also had a role in the Kevin Macdonald directed political drama The Mauritanian, alongside Benedict Cumberbatch and Jodie Foster. Clearly, Rametsi is no stranger to complex truths and drama. 

You can follow Rametsi on Twitter and Instagram. 

Noxolo Dlamini as Mbali Terra

Singer-actress Noxolo Dlamini packs a punch in her role as headstrong MK soldier Mbali Terra. After losing her partner Masego (Vincent Mahlape) in a sting operation set up by the South African police, she becomes unafraid to shoot first and ask questions later in her quest for justice. 

Previously, Dlamini took on the role of another powerful force, playing Nala in the international tour of The Lion King. But most notably, Dlamini starred in the Netflix drama series Jiva!, which follows a talented street dancer who faces financial difficulties in pursuit of her dancing dreams. 

You can follow Dlamini on Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.

Stefan Erasmus as Aldo Erasmus 

A classically trained thespian, Stefan Erasmus brings an air of mystery and unclear motives to the the third MK soldier, Aldo Erasmus. Fueled by the love of his family, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to guarantee their safety. 

Stefan Erasmus has performed in various South African theater productions, such as A Streetcar Named Desire and Romeo and Juliet. He also had a memorable stint as Dig Foreman in the British miniseries Tutankhamun, also starring Max Irons and Sam Neill. 

You can follow Erasmus on Twitter and Instagram.

Arnold Vosloo as Johan Langerman

The famous South African actor Arnold Vosloo lends his talents as Johan Langerman, a South African police captain in charge of handling the tense hostage situation at the bank seized by Khumalo and his crew. 

You might also know Vosloo from his role as Imhotep, another diplomatic leader of sorts, in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. You can also check him out as Colonel Coetzee in Blood Diamond on Netflix. 

Tumisho Masha as Sechaba 

Unlike the other actors on this list, Tumisho Masha has played roles that represent both sides of the South African apartheid struggle. In 2016, Masha played Mandela in the biographical film Mandela’s Gun, which focuses on the activist’s time as commander of the MK in 1962. And now, in 2022, he plays Sechaba, a helicopter pilot hired by the police to prevent the MK soldiers from escaping the bank. 

Masha’s career spans just over two decades, but you might have seen him in the popular British TV series Wallander, starring Kenneth Branagh, and the Emmy Award–winning HBO series The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.

You can follow Masha on Twitter and Instagram.

Michelle Mosalakae as Rachel 

You’d never guess that this was Michelle Mosalakae’s debut film after witnessing the emotional depth she brings to her character, Rachel, in a heartbreaking conversation with Khumalo about colorism and Black identity. Off-screen, Mosalakae is an activist for the representation of albinism, a condition that she has. In 2018, she became Revlon’s first beauty ambassador with albinism. 

You can follow Mosalakae on Twitter and Instagram. 

Elani Dekker as Christine 

Christine is the supervisor of the bank being held hostage. It’s a small role, but Elani Dekker’s insightful and tolerant character helps unveil Khumalo’s childhood traumas and the effects of segregation laws on the psyche and social standing of Black Africans. 

Dekker is best known for her role in the South African romantic comedy Jou Romeo, about two drama geeks who have to save their school’s low-budget production of Romeo and Juliet. When Dekker is not acting, she specializes in watercolor art of exotic animals — check it out in her social media. 

You can follow Dekker on Twitter and Instagram. 

Shane Wellington as Cornelius Washington

South African native Shane Wellington plays Cornelius Washington, a Black American citizen and boxing promoter from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, who accidentally ends up as leverage during the bank takeover. 

When Wellington isn’t acting, he primarily works as a radio DJ for Hot 91.9 FM and 102.7 FM in Johannesburg. He also appeared in What Boys Like, Strike Back and Dominion.

You can follow Wellington on Twitter.