Five years ago, Lebohang Lephatsoana was chasing something bigger than the day-to-day—pure 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’s been opening doors that once felt like only possibilities.
Lephatsoana’s momentum has come through back-to-back projects that have widened his reach. He previously landed a role in Youngins, and he’s now moving into a long-form part on the new Tshedza Pictures telenovela The Four of Us. Even with the industry spotlight growing, he’s continued to frame his rise as the result of staying ready for the next opportunity.
Looking back on his breakthrough as Tumelo, he says his life changed in a way that still feels unreal. For him, it wasn’t just another job—it was the moment his dream began to take shape.
“The Youngins 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,” he shared.
He added that the experience gave him a perspective he never thought he’d get. “I got to see myself in rooms I’d 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,” he explained.
When that chapter wrapped after the series completed its third successful season, he felt the familiar pressure of starting over—searching for the next role while wondering what would come next. He admits the wait was longer than he expected, but it didn’t leave him idle. Eventually, it was the pull of performance—stage work and music—that brought him back into focus.
“I didn’t 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,” he said.
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!. For Lebohang, it was the kind of opportunity that arrives just when you’ve stopped hoping for it and started preparing for it.
He also recalled that the audition was one he nearly didn’t make. Still, he clearly delivered—because the role ended up being his.
The rising star, who hails from Sebokeng in the Vaal, opened up about the exact moment his life changed—when the call came through with news he couldn’t keep quiet, even as he tried to stay composed.
“I 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—though I couldn’t say what it was about,” he remembered.
While Malusi and Tumelo both come with charisma, Lephatsoana describes his new character as a more grounded presence—an easier breath of fresh air within the Dhlomo family dynamic. And for him, the part carries a personal thrill.
“I’ve 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’s a big dreamer, and he’s an enthusiast,” he said.
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—an opportunity to build under the guidance of a cast that features familiar, acclaimed talent.
“For me, this new season represents growth and endurance—especially patience—and the truth that every dream is real. Iphupho alifi umnikazi esaphila (a dream doesn’t die while its owner is still alive). It also confirms that I’m 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,” he added.
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.
