Thapelo Mokoena’s bio: his inspiring career in film, television, and personal milestones
Thapelo Mokoena is a multi-talented showbiz celebrity. Many know him as the presenter of the first season of Fear Factor, the Mzansi version. As a seasoned actor, Thapelo can assume different characters and roles with ease and is passionate about his job. Read Thapelo Mokoena’s bio to understand his success story.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Thapelo Mokoena’s profile summary
- Thapelo Mokoena’s biography
- What is Thapelo Mokoena's age?
- Thapelo Mokoena's parents
- Thapelo Mokoena's siblings
- What happened to Thapelo Mokoena's father?
- Thapelo Mokoena's education
- What is Thapelo Mokoena known for?
- Thapelo Mokoena's movie and TV career history
- What are some of Thapelo Mokoena's best movies?
- Thapelo Mokoena's entrepreneurship ventures
- Thapelo Mokoena's net worth
- Is Thapelo Mokoena married?
- What is Thapelo Mokoena's wife's age?
- Thapelo Mokoena's children
- Who is Thapelo Mokoena's ex-wife?
- Where does Thapelo Mokoena live?
- Does Thapelo Mokoena have social media?
- Facts about Thapelo Mokoena
Key takeaways
- Thapelo Mokoena is a Sotho but was raised in Zulu land.
- He has appeared in the Netflix series Fatal Seduction as Leonard.
- Outside of his career, he is a loving husband and father.
Thapelo Mokoena’s profile summary
| Full name | Thapelo Archibald Sfufane Mokoena |
| Gender | Male |
| Birthdate | 21 October 1982 |
| Age | 42 years (as of September 2025) |
| Zodiac sign | Libra |
| Birthplace | Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Residence | Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | African |
| Ancestral roots | Sotho |
| Religion | Christian |
| Height | 5' 11" (180 cm) |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Dark Brown |
| Wife | Lesego-Tshepang Mokoena |
| Children | 2 |
| Father | Mike Mokoena |
| Mother | Mrs. Mokoena |
| Profession | Actor, producer, and entrepreneur |
| @mokoenalive | |
| X (Twitter) | @ThapeloMokoena |
Thapelo Mokoena’s biography
Thapelo Mokoena’s full name is Thapelo Archibald Sfufane Mokoena. His mom had him under a Mkhamba tree in the tiny town of Ladysmith in KZN on her way to the hospital.
What is Thapelo Mokoena's age?
Born on 21 October 1982, Thapelo is 42 years old (as of September 2025).
Source: Original
Thapelo Mokoena's parents
Thapelo's dad, Mike Mokoena, was Sotho, while his mother comes from Zulu land. Mike was the founder and chairman of Free State Stars, a PSL in South Africa.
He founded the soccer team in 1997 in a small village of Makwane and led them to promotion into the professional league in 1985. He was also one of the founding members of the National Soccer League (NSL) and a long-standing member of the Executive Committee.
Mike Mokoen sold his club to the league in 2002 when the PSL reduced the number of teams from 18 to 16, but bounced back to football after buying the status of Ratanang Maholosiane and renaming it Free State Stars.
The team returned to the PSL two years later and won the 1994 Coca-Cola Cup, Baymed Cup in 2006, as well as the Nedbank Cup in 2018, with Mokoena as the chairman. Meanwhile, His son, Rantsi, has been the long-time general manager of the team.
Thapelo Mokoena's siblings
Although the exact number of Thapelo's siblings is unknown, his social media posts confirm that the actor comes from a big family.
For instance, in November 2020, the actor once posted on Instagram a photo of himself standing with his three brothers in a row and captioned:
A very rare pic of all of us in one pic wearing suits. The last happy time in suits was my wedding day 8 years ago. We then had to put on suits again in June of 2020 to lay our Father to rest, no pic taken there🕊
And NOW as the wheel turns, we put our suits on and this time to have a happy celebration in the name of LOVE 🤎. I love these boys so much. We have come a long way & have an even longer journey ahead. Maybe one day you’ll know our story©️
These are a FEW GOOD MEN. Nonhlanhla Mokoena’s Soldiers #MokoenaKings #FarmBoysWorldWide #Bakoena #thabowedsnonjabulo #LOVE 🐊✊🏾📯®️
Source: UGC
In the same month, he shared on Instagram an image of himself with two of his siblings, a sister and an older brother named Fana Mokoena, and added a caption:
My Big Brother & Sister #Siblings #Bakoena 📯🐊❤️
Thapelo Mokoena's brother, Fana Mokoena, is an actor, activist, and former Member of Parliament. The two are often seen together, as shown in social media posts by Thapelo.
What happened to Thapelo Mokoena's father?
After a long battle with cancer, Thapelo's dad, Mike Mokoena, passed away in June 2020 at Sandton Oncology Clinic while receiving treatment. Part of the condolences statement from PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza said:
Mike Mokoena was a self-made man who took the fruits of his toil, which he could have used for personal benefit and that of his family, and invested selflessly in football.
The Free State Stars payroll that he created and maintained, sometimes under very trying circumstances, is a source of viable livelihood for many.
He shined a light on little-known towns (QwaQwa and Bethlehem) in South Africa. The economic activity generated by Free State Stars in that part of the country is a powerful legacy of a passionate man who always maintained that “where there is a will, there is a way.”
Thapelo Mokoena's education
The actor studied at Ladysmith High School. After completing his secondary level education, he relocated to Johannesburg to study a degree in accounting, but later changed his mind and chose to study filmmaking.
What is Thapelo Mokoena known for?
The South African actor, television presenter, and producer, who is best known for his role on the UK's Bulletproof S3 as William and South African series Trackers, and presenting the first season of the South African version of the reality competition Fear Factor in 2005.
Thapelo Mokoena's movie and TV career history
Thapelo began his career in a television commercial. He joined a Johannesburg-based agency and got his first leading role in a commercial within the first two months.
Soon after finishing his course, he landed the role of Gabriel in SABC1 soap opera Generations. In the soapie, he was the bodyguard of the rich lady, Karabo Moraka, a role that was played by the incredible Connie Ferguson.
Gabriel went on to have a sweltering love affair with Karabo. Initially, he was to be on the television show for three months, but the viewers of the show loved him a lot, so his stay was extended to six months.
Source: UGC
In 2006, Thapelo started playing the role of Vusi in the SABC1 drama, Mzansi, taking over the part from Fezile Mpela in the second season. The same year, he became the presenter of Fear Factor in South Africa on e.tv.
In the second season of the show, Lungile Radu replaced Mokoena because he was busy filming another show at the time. The actor would then substitute Pepi Khambule, taking on the lead role of Bongani Thwala on SABC1's Mtunzini.com season 3 in 2009.
Thapelo was, however, fired from the role after he demanded a better compensation package and improved working conditions. In 2010, he became the presenter of SABC1's Rize Mzansi reality television show and was replaced by Tshepo Ngwane in the second season.
Pressing on, Mokoena was featured in the sixth season of Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 as one of the celebrity contestants. The following year, he hosted the reality series, Sinawe 72, on e.tv.
What are some of Thapelo Mokoena's best movies?
Some of Thapelo Mokoena's movies and TV shows that have made waves in South Africa and beyond are:
- Wild at Heart: As Cedric Fatani
- A Place Called Home: As a guest star.
- aYeYe: As JK in Season 1.
- Broken Vows: As Uhuru in the first season.
- High Rollers: As Jakes Xaba in the third season.
- Intersexions: As Jama in the second season.
- Isibaya: Acted as JK in the third season.
- Kota Life Crisis: As Sduduzo Sihlahla in seasons one and two.
- Nomzamo: As James in the first season.
- She's The One: As the host of the second season.
- Society: As Ace in the second season.
- The SAFTA show: As the presenter of the tenth and thirteenth seasons.
- Wild at Heart: Acted as Fatani in the second and third seasons.
- Zaziwa: As himself in the first season.
- Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom: As Elias Motsoaledi.
Source: UGC
Thapelo Mokoena's entrepreneurship ventures
According to his LinkedIn page, Thapelo is the founder and owner of Easy Sundays Productions, a motion picture business that creates corporate videos, television shows, and films. He also launched Bakoena Beard cosmetics and created Air Movie Nights, a company that provides outdoor cinema events in cosmopolitan spaces and areas, such as rooftops, etc.
Additionally, Mokoena founded Kasi Movie Nights, a division of Kasi Distribution (pty) ltd, in June 2012, which works with the sister company, Air Movie Nights, and takes the cinema experience to the townships and rural areas.
His company, Bakoena Brands, also works with Bosman Family Vineyards to produce his own wine under the Nero label. Nero is made of Nero d’Avola, the quintessential Sicilian grape.
In December 2023, Thapelo announced the end of his partnership with Molitva restaurant. He decided to cut ties with the establishment after nearly three years to seek other ventures.
Thapelo Mokoena's net worth
His net worth is not known in the public domain. From his multi-faceted career, Thapelo has amassed a considerable amount of money, but has yet to disclose the income he receives from each of his career ventures.
Is Thapelo Mokoena married?
Thapelo Mokoena's wife, Lesego-Tshepang Mokoena, is a fashion model and businesswoman. The couple got married on 24 November 2012, and have two children together. Thapelo is a dedicated family man who credits his wife as his rock.
What is Thapelo Mokoena's wife's age?
Lesego-Tshepang Mokoena is 41 years old in 2025. The actor celebrated her 40th birthday on Instagram in June 2024 with beautiful photos and a heart-felt caption:
BLESS YOU, my QUEEN ♥️
Welcome to the 4th Floor my Darling @lesego_tshepang✨ We celebrate you every day. Here’s to many more years of Grace, Class & Excellence. You’re a gift that keeps on giving. You are IT. A Force ♥️
Seeing you win as a Mother, Wife, Daughter & Business Woman brings such joy to Us. It’s never easy, but you still get it done & continue to show us it’s doable. So grateful for all that you are.
The Boys and I breathe for you. We can’t wait to witness what the next 40 looks like for you, your Dreams & Aspirations. Keep Firing Baby! The next 40 years will be dedicated to you living your BEST LIFE! WE LOVE YOU MOMMY ♥️🩵🩵
Meanwhile, on his 42nd birthday (in October 2024), Lesego shared a series of cute photos of themselves and added a sweet Instagram caption:
42 YEARS OF THAPELO MOKOENA!!!
We thank God for your life, baby! You have been such a blessing to us. Your tenacity in everything you do is quite incredible and absolutely inspiring. You inspire me to be the very best & constantly challenge me to think of bigger and better. Your faith in all that you are & do is unparalleled. Truly a fruit of the Spirit.
We love you endlessly❤️. Happy Birthday @mokoenalive !! 🥳🥳🥳
Source: UGC
Thapelo Mokoena's children
His first child, a son called Reko, was born in 2015, and the second one, Lefika Meraki Mokoena, was born in 2018. Thapelo Mokoena's wife once shared on Instagram the heartbreaking journey of raising a child who has a speech impediment.
Explaining how her family went through a lot trying to help Reko and the journey was taxing, Lesego said:
At that point, I really didn't know what to do, but what I knew was what not to do. I was not going to sit back and hope for the best. I was not going to put the responsibility solely in the doctor's, teacher's, and therapist's hands. I was not going to be afraid of any diagnosis, be defensive, or be in denial.
What I've learnt from this entire journey of having a child with a speech impediment is that there is so much information out there. There is so much you can do at home. You really have more power than you realize.
Who is Thapelo Mokoena's ex-wife?
There are no reports of the actor having had any other wife other than his first and only spouse, Lesego-Tshepang Mokoena, who is also the mother of his sons.
Where does Thapelo Mokoena live?
The actor lives in Johannesburg, Gauteng, with his wife and sons.
Does Thapelo Mokoena have social media?
The Mzansi actor has a verified Instagram account with over 500k followers, and more than 200 people follow his X (Twitter) handle. Meanwhile, his wife's verified Instagram account has over 58k followers.
Source: UGC
Facts about Thapelo Mokoena
- He traded his accounting degree studies for film school.
- He won the SAFTA Youth Achiever Award.
- He is the CEO and founder of Bakoena Brands and Easy Sundays Productions.
- He is a wine producer and partner at Bosman Bakoena brands.
- He is pioneering in the distribution of African content through mobile cinemas.
- He is the founder and President of The Young Producers Forum, which empowers young producers.
Thapelo Mokoena’s bio shows how intelligent he is as a businessman and an entertainer. While acting itself can be financially unstable, the actor has certainly become rich by making smart investments.
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Beginning in 1998, Bushby has walked over 47,000 km across 25 countries, enduring hardships like the Darien Gap and the Bering Strait, and is aiming to complete his unprecedented, unbroken journey in 2026.
Source: Briefly News
