Litha Bam is the son of (late) Hon Judge Fikele Bam and Philippa Xoliswa Bam (nee Madikiza). He was born in Mthatha in 1984 in what was then known as the Transkei, spent his early childhood in Port Elizabeth, grew up mostly in Johannesburg, travelled to and studied in the United States, before returning to settle in Cape Town. 

He trained as an actor, dancer, and singer throughout his school career and later at Wits University, then at The Stella Adler Studio in NYC and New York Film Academy. As a young actor, Litha has played a number of South African roles and international productions. He spent three years early in his career as part of the local TV series Scandal; played a bodyguard in Mike van Graan’s theatre production about Martin Luther King and Malcolm X; and later landed an important role In Ridley Scott's TV series Raised by Wolves.  

He talks to Gillian about his life, and family, and how acting has been a process of liberating his feminine alter ego Ms Bam.

Images below with permission from Litha Bam. The artist’s opinions are their own. Audio edits by Dan Dewes. “East West Village” by Tim Garland & Asaf Sirkis.