Youngins actors and main cast: Who stars in the hit series?

Youngins actors and main cast: Who stars in the hit series?

The drama-filled South African telenovela Youngins has captivated local audiences with its captivating storyline and undeniably talented actors. Well-known Youngins actors such as Ayakha Ntunja and Lebohang Lephatsoana breathe life into the show, along with some fresh faces newer to local TV screens.

Youngins actors
Youngins is a Showmax series following the chaotic lives of teenagers in high school. Photo: @Jabu_Macdonald on X (Twitter) (modified by author)
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

  • The Youngins series premiered in South Africa on Showmax on February 12, 2024 and is a local production by Tshedza Pictures.
  • The show is centred around the lives of teenagers at a fictional Johannesburg-based boarding school called Olifantsfontein High.
  • The Youngins actors and actresses include many established names in the local entertainment world, including leading actress Ayakha Ntunja and other rising stars, such as Thabiso Ramotshela.

Who is in the cast of Youngins?

Although various characters make up the storyline, the main Youngins cast consists of the following talented actors:

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Ayakha Ntunja as Amo

Amo from Youngins
Amo is the show’s main protagonist and hails from rural KwaZulu-Natal. Photo: AbracaBeautyy and Futurê Mshêngu on Facebook (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Ayakha Ntunja
  • Age: 21 years old (July 2025)
  • Birthplace: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
  • Social media: Instagram, X (Twitter) and TikTok

Amo from Youngins is the main protagonist of the local soapie and is characterised as a pleasant and determined young lady who learns about friendships and perspective. Ayakha Ntunja plays the role and is best known for her other roles in Intlawulo (2024), Inimba (2025) and NTASH (2021).

Lebohang Lephatsoana as Tumelo

Youngins actors
Tumelo is a larger-than-life gay teen that is chronically online. Photo: Mehlareng Actors & Performers Agency and Actor Spaces on Facebook (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Lebohang Royal Lephatsoana
  • Date of birth: 2001 (date and month undisclosed)
  • Age: 23 years old (July 2025)
  • Birthplace: Sebokeng, Gauteng, South Africa
  • Social media: Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok and Facebook

Lebohang Lephatsoana plays Tumelo, a larger-than-life gay teen who keeps his finger on the pulse online and is in a secret relationship with Sefako, a matric sportsman. Behind the scenes, Lebohang is an actor, singer, and dancer who got his 'big break' via his role on the series.

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Tabile Tau as Sefako

Youngins actors
Sefako is the school’s head boy and star sportsman in a secret relationship with Tumelo. Photo: Sim Freddie Writes and Radio Eersteriver on Facebook (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Tabile Tau
  • Date of birth: May 20, 1999
  • Age: 26 years old (July 2025)
  • Birthplace: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
  • Social media: Instagram, TikTok and Facebook

Sefako is the star sportsman and head boy who is in a secret relationship with Tumelo, as he has not publicly come out yet and fears how others will see him if he does. Sefako is portrayed by Tabile Tau, a model and actor who previously starred in Generations: The Legacy between 2020 and 2021.

Kealeboga Masango as Buhle

Buhle from Youngins
Buhle is a popular girl with a mean streak. Photo: Kealeboga Masango’s Facebook page (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Kealeboga Masango
  • Date of birth: October 21, 2003
  • Age: 21 years old (July 2025)
  • Birthplace: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
  • Social media: Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok and Facebook

Buhle from Youngins is considered an 'it girl' with a mean streak at times, but is also known to have a deeply caring and sensitive side. She is portrayed by Kealeboga Masango, a talented local actress whose IMDb page reports her other notable credits as Genesis (2025), Campus Kings (2024) and Indoda Must (2023).

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Toka Mtabane as Khaya

Khaya from Youngins
Khaya is a popular teen who is in a relationship with Buhle. Photo: @tokalmtabane on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Toka Mtabane
  • Age: 23 years old (July 2025)
  • Birthplace: Western Cape, South Africa
  • Social media: Instagram and TikTok

Khaya from Youngins is in a relationship with Buhle and is also considered an athletic and popular guy at school. According to his MLASA profile, Toka's film debut was in Five Fingers for Marseilles in 2016, kickstarting his acting career and giving him the chance to star in Youngins.

Thabiso Ramotshela as Mahlatse

Youngins actors
Mahlatse is a gifted student from an challenging background that is dating Amo. Photo: Made In Sosha and Mzansi Stories on Facebook (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Thabiso Ramotshela
  • Date of birth: September 26, 2003
  • Age: 21 years old (July 2025)
  • Birthplace: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
  • Social media: Instagram, TikTok

Mahlatse is a gifted student from an impoverished background who sells illicit substances to support himself and is dating Amo. He is played by Thabiso Ramotshela, who has an established career in acting, including roles in Cobrizi (2025), Blood Legacy (2024), Diepe Waters (2023–2024), and The River (2021–2024).

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Katleho Mabote as Tokollo

Youngins actors
Tokollo is an endearing young pupil trying to find his place. Photo: Katleho Mabote’s Facebook page (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Katleho Mabote
  • Age: 21 years old in 2025 (date and month undisclosed)
  • Birthplace: Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
  • Social media: Instagram, TikTok and Facebook

Tokollo from Youngins is an endearing and innocent grade eight pupil who initially feels secluded from his peers, but begins to make budding friendships due to his likeable nature. He is played by actor and comedian Katleho Mabote, who, apart from his role on the teen show, is known for his appearances in Outlaws (2023) and 016FM (2024).

Gaositoe Katlego Moloke as Alex

Youngins actors
Gaositoe plays non-binary teenager Alex. Photo: @gaositoe_moloke on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Gaositoe Katlego Moloke
  • Date of birth: 2004 (date and month undisclosed)
  • Age: 21 years old in 2025
  • Birthplace: North West, South Africa
  • Social media: Instagram and TikTok

Alex is an openly non-binary teenager who embraces both her masculine and feminine sides on the show. Alex from Youngins' real name is Gaositoe Katlego Moloke, an up-and-coming actor and brand ambassador for Mentos.

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What is Matron's real name from Youngins?

In the series, Matron Lulu is the head of the nursing staff at the boarding school. The actress behind the character is Sannah Mchunu.

Was Youngins removed from Showmax?

The show has not been removed from Showmax as of July 2025. The first season of Youngins debuted on February 12, 2024, and the final episode aired on May 16, 2024. Season two of Youngins premiered on November 15, 2024, with new episodes every Friday.

Will there be a season three of Youngins?

Kealeboga Masango and Toka Mtabane announced that Youngins’ third season is confirmed, and will be the final season. The news was confirmed during a Youth Day event held at the Zone 6 Venue in Soweto in 2025.

Where can you watch Youngins?

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Fans can enjoy the local South African soapie on Showmax, which is a Showmax exclusive.

Wrapping up

The Youngins actors range from more well-known young actors within the South African entertainment world to lesser-known rising stars who are becoming household names via the show. Fans can look forward to a brand-new episode every Friday, with a new season in the works too.

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Authors:
Justine De Lange avatar

Justine De Lange (Lifestyle writer) Justine De Lange has over 6 years of experience in lifestyle, corporate and freelance writing. She started at Now Media for their lifestyle publication 'Let's Go', then joined 'travSIM' and 'Metavaro'. She now writes for Briefly News as a content writer, working with beats such as studies, services, business tips, and celebrity biographies (joined in 2022). In 2023, Justine finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can contact her directly via JustinedeLange14@gmail.com.