Richard T. Jones falls for SA, and he’s already picked his spots

Richard T. Jones is an American actor, best known for playing Sergeant Wade Grey in The Rookie, and Mike in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? trilogy.

He has fallen hard for South Africa, and he’s not being subtle about it.

He’s told local media that he and his wife are now seriously considering making the country their permanent home.

Jones made his first-ever South African appearance at Comic Con Africa in Johannesburg, running 24 to 27 September 2026.

WHAT HE ACTUALLY SAID

Speaking to The Citizen during the convention, Jones didn’t hold back.

“I love South Africa,” he said. “South Africa is probably a place that me and my wife are considering retiring.”

He was quick to clarify it’s gone further than just talk.

“Not considering, she’s like, we’re moving this up,” he added.

Jones specifically named Johannesburg, Cape Town and Hermanus as the places that captured his heart during the trip.

He praised South Africans directly too, saying the country’s people “love not only each other, but they love their country”.

WHY COMIC CON AFRICA MEANT MORE TO HIM THAN THE CELEBRITY LINEUP

For Jones, the convention itself wasn’t really the highlight.

According to reporting from Briefly News, the trip was less about the star-studded guest list and more about the genuine human connection he found with South African fans and locals.

He described the warmth he received since arriving as “amazing.”

Jones joined a genuinely packed international guest list at this year’s Comic Con Africa, which drew around 70,000 attendees and featured 303 exhibitors.

Fellow guests included Christopher Judge (Teal’c in Stargate SG-1, the voice of Kratos in God of War) and Alison Sealy-Smith (the voice of Storm in X-Men: The Animated Series).

HE’S NOT THE ONLY HOLLYWOOD STAR FALLING FOR SOUTH AFRICA LATELY

Jones’s comments land just after another familiar name sang South Africa’s praises too. 

Raven-Symoné, in the country filming Cheetah Girls: Next Gen, recently shared similar appreciation for the warmth she experienced here.

It’s genuinely lovely to see South Africa continuing to win over visitors this way, not through a scripted PR moment, but through what sounds like a real, personal connection formed over just a few days.

If Jones and his wife do end up following through, Johannesburg, Cape Town or Hermanus could soon have a new, very famous neighbour.

Which part of South Africa do you think would win over a first-time visitor the most?