Israel Matseke Zulu Wiki, Age, Wife, Salary, Net Worth, Family, Siblings, Children, Son, Illness, Married, Movies, Instagram

Israel Matseke Zulu Biography – Israel Matseke Zulu Wiki

Israel Matseke Zulu (formerly known as Israel Makoe Zulu and popularly known as GP-Maorange ) is a South African actor, poet, singer and dancer best known for his role as GP in the SABC1 drama series Gaz’lam from 2002-2005. He has starred in a wide variety of shows including Z’bondiwe, Isibaya and many others.

He was born in Alexandra Township and is the second-born in a family of five. He grew up aspiring to be famous. From 1988 to 1994 he was involved in criminal activities. He was arrested for the first time at the age of 14 for housebreaking and theft. In 1996 he was sentenced to serve eight years in prison. While serving his jail term he decided to form a theatre group called Abaqobi Drama Group. The first play that he wrote and directed, Hayi Kabi Magenge, had some of the inmates and the members of VSTC based in Alexandra. In 1999, when he was released from prison, he got a chance to work for the Victory Sonqoba Theatre Company which is where he had the opportunity to audition for the award-winning SABC1 drama series Yizo Yizo.

He played the role of a gang leader in prison and ended up recording a soundtrack with kwaito star Mandoza. He is a director for the Alexandra-based theatre group Ishoshovi. In 2015 he had a starring role in the e.tv drama series Z’bondiwe as Jakes Masilo, Killer’s right-hand man who is cold, ruthless and dangerous. In November 2016 Israel debuted on the Mzansi Magic soapie isiBaya in the role of gangster Cyprian Gumbi, making his first appearance on Monday 28 November (Season 4, Episode 186). It was the first time he was credited as Israel Matseke Zulu.

Israel Matseke Zulu Age

He was born Israel Makoe Zulu in 1974 in Alexandra, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Israel opened up to an online publication about why he changed his surname from Makoe to Matseke Zulu.

“Makoe was my stepdad, but he was abusive and didn’t like me. My mother is Matseke and my father is Zulu. My aunt, who contributed to my journey, is also Matseke,” he said.

Israel Matseke Zulu Illness

In November 2021, actor Israel Matseke-Zulu was forced to quit Gomora after being diagnosed with gangrene on his right leg. He said the illness started shortly after he joined the drama series. According to Mayo Clinic, “Gangrene is the death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a serious bacterial infection. Gangrene commonly affects the arms and legs, including the toes and fingers, but it can also occur in the muscles and in organs inside the body, such as the gallbladder.”

On 22 November 2021, Matseke-Zulu, popularly known as GP-Maorange, revealed in a statement via his management company Ice and Orange Entertainment that he had to quit Gomora due to a medical condition that has made it impossible for him to continue being part of the drama series.

The statement said: “I have been inundated with messages from my concerned fans and friends over the reports of my illness and subsequent departure from the ‘TV drama series #Gomora.

“It is true that I have been diagnosed with a disease, which severely affected the functioning of my legs making it difficult for me to walk properly and function well on set during the filming. It also makes it difficult for me to perform as an artist, or throw in those Ghetto Professor dance moves that you know me for when invited to gigs.

“The growing demands of my job at Gomora made it difficult for me to give my all to the show due to this illness that effectively rendered me semi-crippled.

“The illness started shortly after I joined Gomora, as some mild pain in my legs which I took as a passing phase. I love Gomora as a show which I have been close to from its inception, more so that it’s set up in my hood Alexandra township. At the same time I am the kind of actor who when I do what I like I want to be able to go full force, give it my all.

I wasn’t able to do so in the last few months before I requested to be written off from the show. I appreciate the show producers and fellow actors for their understanding and for carrying me until the end.

“I apologise to the multitudes of my fans for my exit and hope you continue to support the show, especially the young crop of actors who are really doing their best to make it exciting.

“I am currently receiving the best medical treatment and I am in high spirits having passed what I believe to be the worst stage of my situation.

“I thank everyone for the kind messages and prayers during this time. I thank my family and friends for the support and being by my side. My God and ancestors are working wonders on me. I can assure you, GP-Maorange, will be back very soon! Spirit!”

Israel Matseke Zulu Children

Actor Israel Matseke Zulu lost his son in 2011 at the age of 14. The actor told Move! Magazine he was afraid that he would never be able to move on from losing his son, adding that no parent deserves to lose a child. “He was my first born and losing him left a huge void in my heart. Tebogo died as a result of an accidental shooting when his friend was playing with his father’s gun and his friend accidentally shot him,” he told the magazine. He recalled that at the time, he could not forget his son’s death and wanted vengeance. “It was really hard for me to deal with Tebogo’s death. I understand that it was an accident, but I felt like I needed to do something even though it was a terrible mistake. I felt empty without strength and I sometimes blamed myself,” said the actor. He found closure by accepting his son’s death and focused on doing what’s best for his surviving son, Benedict. “I realised that I needed to move on and focus on my other son so that he can be a better person than blaming myself. I also had to focus on my career and being a parent,” he said in a previous interview.

Israel Matseke Zulu Family

He is the second-born in a family of five.

Israel Matseke Zulu Siblings

He has four siblings.

Israel Matseke Zulu Wife

Is Israel Matseke-Zulu married? It is unclear.

Israel Matseke Zulu Salary

For his role as Don on Gomora in Mzansi Magic, Israel Matseke-Zulu was earning a salary of between R35 000 and R50 000.

Israel Matseke Zulu Net Worth

He had an estimated net worth of $1 million.

Israel Matseke Zulu Instagram

His Instagram handle is @israelmatsekezulu.