Thapelo Mokoena (born 21 October 1982)is a South African actor and TV show host. He is best known for presenting the reality competition Fear Factor in 2005.
The veteran actor has played various roles in commercials, movies, and television series. He portrayed Cedric Fatani in Wild at Heart and Elias Motsoaledi in the 2013 film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. He owns the company Easy Sundays Productions.
| Thapelo Mokoena | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal Details | |
| Name: | Thapelo Archibald Sfufane Mokoena |
| Born: | 21 October 1982 (age 43 years old), Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Parents: | Mike Mokoena (father) Nonhlanhla (mother) |
| Occupation: | Actor, television presenter |
| Known for: | Wild at Heart |
| Spouse: | Lesego-Tshepang Mokoena (m. 2012) |
| Children: | Lefika, Lereko |
Early Life
Thapelo Archibald Sfufane Mokoena was born on 21 October 1982 in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. His mother had him under a tree 22 kilometers from the nearest hospital in the KwaZulu-Natal town.
His father, veteran football administrator Mike Mokoena, was Sotho, while his mother, Nonhlanhla, is Zulu.
Education
Mokoena matriculated at a school in Ladysmith. He studied for a degree in accounting at Wits University but left for arts at AFDA.
Career
After completing his course at film school, Mokoena landed the role of Gabriel on the SABC1 soap opera Generations. He later portrayed the role of Vusi from Fezile Mpela in the SABC1 drama series Mzansi in 2006.
The award-winning actor presented Fear Factor South Africa on eTV in 2006. Lungile Radu replaced him for season two, since her was filming a British television series at the time.
In 2009, Mokoena took over the role of Bongani Thwala, the lead character, in the SABC1 drama series Mtunzini.com. He hosted the SABC1 reality competition Rize Mzansi in 2010.
Mokoena was one of the celebrity dancers in the SABC3 reality competition Strictly Come Dancing in 2013. He hosted the e.tv reality makeover series Sinawe72 in 2014. He played a starring role as Quinn Makebe in the M-Net production, Trackers.
He has also portrayed many other roles in other projects, such as Fatani in Wild at Heart, Tshepo in the Lab, Ace in Society, James in Nomzamo, and Vusi in Mzansi. He played Victor Gaxa in the television series Kings of Jo’burg.
Mokoena has also appeared in international projects. He had a film opening in North America and a Netflix drama film, Angelina, which premiered on 8 October 2021. He is also a commercials go-to man.
Aside from acting, Mokoena is an entrepreneur. He launched the Malitva Restaurant with head chef and part-owner Milan Cerimaj in 2021. His wine company, Bosman Nero, was nominated for Best Launch and Intro into the market at the 2021 Drinks Business Awards in the United Kingdom.
Personal Life
Thapelo Mokoena married his wife, Lesego-Tsepang Mokoena, in November 2012. The duo, who met through a mutual friend, celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in 2022. They have their two sons, Lefika and Lereko.
Mokoena lost his father, Free State Stars chairman Mike Mokoena, in June 2020. He had been suffering from cancer.
Filmography
| TV shows | Roles |
|---|---|
| A Place Called Home | Guest Star |
| Zaziwa | Himself |
| Wild at Heart | Fatani |
| Trackers | Quinn Makebe |
| The Lab | Tshepo |
| The Comedy Central Roast | Himself |
| Strictly Come Dancing | Celebrity Dancer |
| Society | Ace |
| Skeem Saam | Sheriff of the Court |
| Broken Vows | Uhuru |
| Isibaya | JK |
| Kings of Jo’burg | Victor Gax |
| Kota Life Crisis | Sduduzo Sihlahla |
| Mtunzini.com | Bongani Thwala |
| Mzansi | Vusi |
| SAFTAs | Presenter |
| It’s OK We’re Family | Thapelo Mokoena |
| Intersexions | Jama |
| High Rollers | Jakes Xaba |
| Generations | Gabriel |
| Fear Factor South Africa | Host |
| Fatal Seduction | Leonard Mahlati |
| Bad Influencer | Cast Member |
| Blood & Water | Anthony Gabisa |
| aYeYe | JK |
| Nomzamo | James |
| Rize Mzansi | Presenter |
| She’s The One | Host |
| Sinawe72 | Host |
References
- Boitumelo Kgobotlo. “Horror series is a first for Mokoena”. Sunday World.
- Kaunda Selisho. “‘I never disconnect with the family’: Thapelo Mokoena on working overseas, taking family wherever he goes”. News24.
- Keitumetse Maako. “Thapelo Mokoena and wife Lesego celebrate 10th wedding anniversary”. News24.
- Chrizelda Kekana. “Thapelo Mokoena’s wife opens up about raising a child with a speech impediment”. TimesLive.
- https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=3755
- Nokuthula Zwane. “Thapelo Mokoena’s tribute to father”. Sunday World.
- “Thapelo Mokoena talks building a legacy and becoming a restaurateur”. TimesLive.
