Thapelo Mokoena
Thapelo Mokoena is a South African actor and television presenter, best known for presenting the first season of the South African version of the reality competition Fear Factor, in 2005.
Born into a big family, Thapelo Archibald Sfufane Mokoena has always been surrounded by a multitude of family members. This explains why he’s always had such a strong affinity to people and communities. Thapelo was born in a small town called Ladysmith on the 21st of October 1982, under the Mkhamba tree on the way to hospital. This is the same town that boasts the birth of the Legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the undefeated Sugar Boy Malinga.
Thapelo Mokoena completed his schooling in Ladysmith before moving to Johannesburg to pursue a degree in accounting, which he up in favour of studying filmmaking.
Upon finishing his course at film school he made an instant impact acting when he landed the role of Gabriel, the bodyguard of Karabo Moraka (played by Connie Ferguson), on the SABC1 Soapie, Generations.
In the show he famously (and scandalously) had a torrid love affair with Karabo, which made a lasting impression on fans of the show. Initially contracted for three months, he ended up playing the role for six months.
In 2006 he took over the role of Vusi from Fezile Mpela for the second season of the SABC 1 drama series, Mzansi.
Also in 2006, he was cast as the presenter of the first season of Fear Factor South Africa, which aired on Etv. He was replaced for the second season by Lungile Radu, as he was filming a British television series at the time.
He replaced Pepi Khambule as the lead character, Bongani Thwala, for the third season of the SABC 1 drama series, Mtunzini.com, which aired in 2009.
Thapelo was the host of the second season of the SABC 1 reality competition, Rize Mzansi, in 2010.
Thapelo Mokoena was one of the celebrities to compete in the sixth season of the SABC 3 reality competition Strictly Come Dancing, in 2013.
Thapelo is also a co-founder and President of the Young Producers Forum. Thapelo is also the founder of the Kasi Movie Nights mobile cinema and the Air Cinema Club.
Currrently, Thapelo can be seen on Kota Life Crisis on Mzansi Magic.
Thapelo Mokoena Roles In Feature Films:
• DRUM – Supporting Role: Casey Motsisi
• Skyf the Movie – Lead Role: Themba Shabalalaa
• Long Walk to Freedom as Elias Motsoaleli
• Nothing for Mahala as Axe Gumede
• IThala as Nkanyiso (Releasing in 2014)
Thapelo Mokoena Short Films:
• Small Street – Lead Role
• Transaction – Lead Role: Mxolisi
Thapelo Mokoena Roles In Drama Series:
• Mzansi – Lead Role: Vusi Ngcobo
• Mthunzini.com – Lead Role: Bongani Thwala
• The Lab – Supporting Role
• A Place Called Home – Supporting Role
• Wild at Heart (Season 2 – Season 8) – Lead Role: Fatani (UK Series)
• Nomzamo
• Intersexion 2 – Lead Role
Soapies:
• Generations as Gabriel
• Isidingo as Zweli Sibiya
Thapelo Mokoena Reality Shows / MC Jobs:
• Fear Factor – Presenter
• Rize Mzansi (Business Reality Show) – Presenter
• Red Bull Beat Battle 2013
• MC for the Department of Sport End of Year Function in the Free State
• MC for the Children’s Film Awards
• MC for the End of Year Function for Free State Stars Football Club
• MC for the Community Leadership Awards in the eMnambithi Region
• MC for the SABC Road Show
• MC for Sasol Safety in Mining
Thapelo Mokoena Roles In Commercials:
• Sprite – Lead
• Consol Glass – Lead
• Momentum – Lead
• Axe – Lead
• Yogi Sip – Lead
• Hunters Dry – Lead
• Dimension Data – Lead
• DSTV Drifta – Lead
• Virgin Mobile – Lead