Ben Voss

Ben Voss (born 3 May 1973) is a South African comedian, actor and playwright. He has been a professional actor, playwright and producer since 1998 and is best known for his portrayal of fictional character, Beauty Ramapelepele.

He was born in Rhodesia and educated at Uthongathi School, Natal, South Africa, where he matriculated in 1990. He then went on to complete an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering at the then University of Natal. He followed that with a post-graduate degree in Human Resources at the same institution. After a gap year in South East Asia he returned to Durban, South Africa to take up a post as an engineer in the paper industry.

Voss became disillusioned with his engineering career and, in January 1997, he started a career in acting despite any formal training in the performing arts. He set up the production company, Mamba Productions and together with John van de Ruit (of Spud fame), produced and performed the comedy skit shows Green Mamba and Black Mamba. Both won many of South Africa’s major comedy awards and led to a run at the Wimbledon Theatre in London.

In Spud - the Movie, Voss plays Mr Lily, Spud's art teacher and under-14D/E rugby coach.

In addition to Voss's contributions to the South African comedy circuit, he is also an accomplished actor and script-writer with particular accolades for his performances in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night in 2001 and the title role in Macbeth in 2002.

Beauty Ramapelepele

Voss is arguably most well known for his portrayal of the fictional South African business woman, Beauty Ramapelepele. Voss uses the alter-ego of Ramapelepele to deliver satirical social commentary on life in post-apartheid South Africa. His shows, Beauty and the B.E.E. and Bend it like Beauty have played in South Africa and abroad. Voss has also shared the stage with Pieter-Dirk Uys's "Evita" and is fast becoming a leading South African personality.