Tamar Braxton to headline the first season of Ndlala Grandeur in South Africa

American actor Ricko Ross will visit South Africa for the first time in December, where he will take on the role of host at the Ndlala arena in Pretoria.

Ross, who gained recognition among a new generation of viewers for his role as Horace Bellarie in the Netflix drama series 'Beauty in Black' by Tyler Perry, will serve as a co-host for the red carpet and show at the Ndlala Grandeur Season 2 Part 2 event on December 16 and 17.

The broader Ndlala Grandeur season is scheduled from December 16 to 19 at the Ndlala arena, located in the Ndlala mall in Arcadia, Pretoria. The list of participants for the four-day event has not yet been announced.

Ross's appearance comes after a challenging year for the Ndlala arena, which hosted the second edition of its Ndlala Grandeur series in August.

Ricko Ross's Career Spans Decades

Although many viewers may know Ross from the series 'Beauty in Black', the actor has worked in film and television for over four decades.

Born in Chicago in 1958, Ross earned a master's degree in fine arts from UCLA and later continued his studies at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

His early television work included appearances in 'Hill Street Blues' and 'The Young and the Restless'. He later built an international career, appearing in productions such as 'Mission: Impossible', 'Doctor Who', 'The Practice', 'JAG', 'ER', 'P-Valley', and 'Bosch: Legacy'.

One of his most recognizable early roles was in James Cameron's 1986 science fiction masterpiece 'Aliens', where he played Private Frost.

Recently, Ross has gained a new audience through his participation in 'Beauty in Black', where he plays Horace Bellarie in the Netflix series created by Tyler Perry. His official filmography also includes 'P-Valley' and 'Beauty in Black' among his recent television works.

His transition to hosting at Ndlala Grandeur adds another dimension to his presence in South Africa, bringing the actor before fans outside of his usual on-screen roles.

Ross's appearance coincides with a year in which the Ndlala arena has increasingly positioned itself as a venue for major entertainment events. The arena's biggest event in 2026 was Ndlala Grandeur II, which expanded from last year's two-day event to a three-day R&B celebration.

The August edition featured international artists including Mýa, RL, Ginuwine, Case, and Tyrese, as well as South African performers such as Zonke, Vusi Nova, and Brian Themba. Some of the international artists were also honored with stars on the Ndlala Walk of Fame.

The first Ndlala Grandeur event, held in 2025, featured R&B singers Joe and Donnell Jones, with Somizi as the host.