For emerging South African actor Kagiso Lepota, the journey to the screen has been shaped by resilience, cultural richness and a willingness to take a chance on himself.
Born and bred in Mamelodi, Pretoria, Kagiso was raised by a single mother after losing his father at the age of five. His Zulu mother and Pedi father gave him a rich cultural foundation, while spending part of his childhood in the suburban area of Bronkhorstspruit exposed him to life beyond the township.
Those contrasting experiences continue to influence how he understands people, communities and the characters he plays.
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Choosing acting over the predictable path
Kagiso did not always know that acting would become his calling. While interning as a photographer, he was offered the opportunity to stay on for another year. At the same time, however, he found himself increasingly drawn to drama series and the stories unfolding on screen.
Faced with a choice, he took a leap of faith and enrolled at drama school.
“Looking back, I think that was the moment I finally listened to that feeling inside me,” he says. “I chose acting, and I’ve never looked back.”
Enter Leeto Matlou
He currently plays Leeto Matlou in Bogaditšong: Sister Wives, the first-ever Sepedi drama series on the streaming platform eVOD.
Leeto is young man raised in wealth, privilege and deception who believes he is the rightful heir to the Matlou empire. Described as a spoiled prince, he is ambitious, arrogant and larger than life. For Kagiso, the role offered an opportunity to move far beyond his own grounded personality.
“I’m quite down-to-earth and grounded, so it was exciting for me to step into someone who expresses themselves so boldly and freely,” he says.
To prepare, Lepota researched the lifestyles, environments and communication styles associated with wealthy young people, using observation to build a character which felt authentic rather than simply stereotypically rich.
Finding common ground with Leeto
Despite their differences, Kagiso sees clear similarities between himself and his on-screen alter ego. Fashion, music and humour are three areas where the actor identifies with Leeto.
He enjoys expressing himself through fashion and has also discovered a passion for composing music, a creative talent he developed while in drama school. Then there is humour: he describes making people laugh and bringing positive energy into a room as an important part of who he is.
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Learning to embrace rejection
Like many emerging actors, Kagiso has experienced the uncertainty of an industry where opportunities can be unpredictable. Rather than allowing that instability to define him, he has learned to focus on preparation, discipline and continued growth.
One of his biggest lessons has been understanding that rejection is not necessarily personal. Casting decisions can depend on factors including age, appearance, character fit and a director’s creative vision.
His approach is simple: keep learning, stay prepared and trust the process.
A new generation telling South African stories
What excites him most about South African television and film is the increasing visibility of young creatives and the diverse stories being brought to screens.
He believes historical and biographical dramas deserve greater attention because they can educate audiences about South Africa’s heritage while contributing to the creative economy.
For aspiring actors, his advice is equally direct: dream boldly, but understand the realities of the industry. Talent matters, he says, but sustaining a career also requires hard work, patience, versatility and heart.
Over the next few years, he hopes to continuously build his performance career, strengthen his personal brand and create opportunities for collaborations and other creative ventures.
For now, audiences can watch him embrace the flamboyant, unpredictable world of Leeto Matlou; a character that is proving just how far Kagiso Lepota is willing to step outside himself.
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