Five years ago, Lebohang Lephatsoana was chasing something bigger than the day-to-day\u2014pure ambition, packed away in his bag. Today, the young actor is preparing for what he calls a major milestone: his second starring role on screen. With sharp instincts, determination, and an unmistakable refusal to slow down, he\u2019s been opening doors that once felt like only possibilities.<\/p>\n
Lephatsoana\u2019s momentum has come through back-to-back projects that have widened his reach. He previously landed a role in Youngins<\/i>, and he\u2019s now moving into a long-form part on the new Tshedza Pictures telenovela The Four of Us<\/i>. Even with the industry spotlight growing, he\u2019s continued to frame his rise as the result of staying ready for the next opportunity.<\/p>\n
Looking back on his breakthrough as Tumelo, he says his life changed in a way that still feels unreal. For him, it wasn\u2019t just another job\u2014it was the moment his dream began to take shape.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Youngins<\/i> chapter for me was more than anything a door opener. The instant I was cast as Tumelo, I understood I was moving closer to the dream I carried as a little boy of becoming an actor. It truly shifted things for the better, because I got to tell one of the most unspoken stories in South Africa: a young queer boy figuring out high school while also dealing with his personal life,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n
He added that the experience gave him a perspective he never thought he\u2019d get. \u201cI got to see myself in rooms I\u2019d never pictured I could enter. I also worked with brands I always felt were too big for a young guy from Vaal. But overall, it made me believe in myself and in the bigger vision even more,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
When that chapter wrapped after the series completed its third successful season, he felt the familiar pressure of starting over\u2014searching for the next role while wondering what would come next. He admits the wait was longer than he expected, but it didn\u2019t leave him idle. Eventually, it was the pull of performance\u2014stage work and music\u2014that brought him back into focus.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t have a plan at all, but being a multifaceted artist, I had to lean on my other skills to keep things moving and also to keep building myself through other projects. That included working on my music and also partnering with brands as an influencer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Going without an on-screen gig for two years was humbling, but he kept his energy directed toward the future. That persistence paid off when he secured the part of Malusi, the son of Sdumo Mtshali, in the highly anticipated telenovela designed to take the place of the long-running soap Scandal!<\/i>. For Lebohang, it was the kind of opportunity that arrives just when you\u2019ve stopped hoping for it and started preparing for it.<\/p>\n
He also recalled that the audition was one he nearly didn\u2019t make. Still, he clearly delivered\u2014because the role ended up being his.<\/p>\n
The rising star, who hails from Sebokeng in the Vaal, opened up about the exact moment his life changed\u2014when the call came through with news he couldn\u2019t keep quiet, even as he tried to stay composed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember the day so clearly. I was in an Uber on my way back home after rehearsing for a theatre show when my agent called me. I remember screaming at the top of my lungs, shocking the driver, and telling him I had just received the best news ever. A song was playing on the radio, so I asked him to turn it up. The trip home was pure excitement, and he also congratulated me on the great news\u2014though I couldn\u2019t say what it was about,\u201d he remembered.<\/p>\n
While Malusi and Tumelo both come with charisma, Lephatsoana describes his new character as a more grounded presence\u2014an easier breath of fresh air within the Dhlomo family dynamic. And for him, the part carries a personal thrill.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to play a rich kid, and this is finally my chance to portray someone who comes from a well-off family. Malusi is very brave, he genuinely believes in equality within the household, he\u2019s a big dreamer, and he\u2019s an enthusiast,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Beyond expanding his acting range, he believes the role will help him sharpen his craft even further. Taking on this next chapter, he sees it as both validation and growth\u2014an opportunity to build under the guidance of a cast that features familiar, acclaimed talent.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, this new season represents growth and endurance\u2014especially patience\u2014and the truth that every dream is real. Iphupho alifi umnikazi esaphila<\/i> (a dream doesn\u2019t die while its owner is still alive). It also confirms that I\u2019m on the right path in my career. The dream I had as a little boy is finally blossoming, and this has to be the biggest step in my career, working with such a stellar cast of legendary actors. It makes me believe even more in myself,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, another rising young talent is also making headlines: 14-year-old Unathi Nkuta has made her professional ballet debut, stepping into a principal role.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Five years ago, Lebohang Lephatsoana was chasing something bigger than the day-to-day\u2014pure ambition, packed away in his bag. Today, the young actor is preparing for what he calls a major milestone: his second starring role on screen. With sharp instincts, determination, and an unmistakable refusal to slow down, he\u2019s been opening doors that once felt […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1741,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Lebo Lephatsoana Gets Second Lead Role After Breakthrough","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Young actor Lebo Lephatsoana is gearing up for his second lead role, building on his breakthrough success and momentum from back-t","mma_seo_breadcrumb_text":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_url":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_hide_ui":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_labels":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-celebrities"],"yoast_head":"\n