Who is Thabo Mkhabela? Discover the life behind the Skeem Saam star

Ask any Skeem Saam fan who Leshole Mabitsela is, and they will likely describe a young man whose life never seems to go right. Behind that unlucky character is Thabo Mkhabela, a South African actor and casting director whose real story looks nothing like his character's. Since joining the SABC1 soapie in 2016, Thabo has grown from a fresh graduate into one of Skeem Saam's most recognisable names.

Key takeaways

• Thabo Mkhabela was born in September 1992 in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga.
• He holds a BA in Performing Arts from the University of Limpopo.
• The actor has since taken on casting director duties for Skeem Saam.
• Thabo is in a relationship with Amanda Siyo.
• He is a father of two.

Profile summary

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Who is Thabo Mkhabela?

Thabo Mkhabela is a South African actor best known for playing Leshole Mabitsela on the long-running SABC1 soap opera Skeem Saam. Leshole is one of the show's most talked-about characters.

In the show, he is a guy from a poor background whose luck never seems to turn, even after he gets a shot at joining the South African Air Force to become a pilot. Besides being an actor, Thabo is a casting director.

Thabo Mkhabela's age

Thabo Mkhabela was born in September 1992 in Bushbuckridge, a town in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. He has kept his exact birth date private. The actor is 34 years old as of 2026. He was around 24 years old when he first joined the Skeem Saam cast in 2016.

Educational background

The South African actor studied at the University of Limpopo, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts. Thereafter, he built a career in the South African entertainment scene.

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Career

Mkhabela made his television debut in 2016 as Leshole Mabitsela in Skeem Saam. He was assigned a character who came from a poor family and struggled to catch a break.

Leshole's storyline improved when he got the chance to train with the South African Air Force in pursuit of his dream of becoming a pilot, though the character's misfortune was never far behind.

The South African actor stepped away from the screens in July 2021 and returned in July 2022, a break he later explained was tied to a new role behind the scenes rather than leaving the show altogether.

On carrying his character's emotional weight home with him, Mkhabela told News24:

I would go home with character's feelings and those days are really hard. This really depends on where the character is rooted from.

By 2023, Mkhabela had been promoted to casting director for Skeem Saam, a role he described as finding the right people to bring the show's scripts to life. Reflecting on how far he had come since finishing his degree, he told News24:

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I loved the story; I believed I could do it and I became the character and people loved it. I didn't think it would be this big, remember I was coming straight from being a student.

Rather than leaving acting behind, Mkhabela has balanced both roles. A December 2024 News24 feature confirmed his return to Leshole on screen while he continues working as the show's casting director, a dual role he has held onto as Skeem Saam moves further into 2026.

Thabo Mkhabela's partner and children

Thabo Mkhabela is not officially married. He is in a relationship with Amanda Siyo, with whom he shares two children. In 2020, he was reported to be expecting a second child with Amanda.

FAQs

• Is Thabo Mkhabela still on Skeem Saam? Yes. As of the most recent available reports, Thabo Mkhabela continues to appear as Leshole Mabitsela while also serving as the show's casting director.
• What is Nefisa Mkhabela's real name? Her full name is Nefisa Tarisca Mkhabela. She is a South African actress, best known for playing Ona Molapo in the e.tv telenovela House of Zwide.
• How old is Nefisa Mkhabela? She is in her mid-twenties as of September 2026. Her exact birth date is reported differently across sources, with some listing 2001 and others 2002.
• Where did Nefisa Mkhabela grow up? Nefisa was born and raised in Soweto, Johannesburg, before attending Greenside High School and later studying at the University of Johannesburg.
• How old is T'bose from Skeem Saam? The current actor playing T'bose Maputla on Skeem Saam is Hungani Ndlovu, who was born on 19 June 1994. This makes him 32 years old as of September 2026. He took over the role in 2023 from Cornet Mamabolo.
• Who is Thabo Malema? Thabo Malema is a different South African actor, born on 26 December 1985, best known for playing Khaya in Single Guys and for his work in films such as Kalushi and 10,000 BC. He shares a first name with Thabo Mkhabela, but they are not related.

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Thabo Mkhabela's story is a reminder that the actors behind our favourite soapie characters often lead lives far removed from their on-screen struggles. From a performing arts graduate at the University of Limpopo to Skeem Saam's casting director, Thabo has built a career that goes well beyond the unlucky Leshole.

Briefly.co.za recently published Obed Baloyi's story. Obed Baloyi stands as a shining beacon in the South African entertainment industry, known for his compelling performances that easily bridge theatre and television.

He has carved an indelible mark through iconic roles such as Tsutsuma in Ga Re Dumele and, more recently, as Mzamani Rivombo on Muvhango. Obed helped his mother sell fruits and vegetables on the streets when he was young.

Source: Briefly News