Lerato Mvelase

EARLY LIFE

Lerato Mvelase (born Lerato Moloisane) was born on 7 September 1982 in Diepkloof, Soweto, Gauteng. She has two brothers, including the well-known rapper and television presenter ProVerb (and another brother named Mpho). She attended Madibane High School in Soweto and matriculated at Sacred Heart College in Johannesburg. From an early age she was involved in drama, performing in school and community theatre productions such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1995) and Grease (1999). She received NSFAS funding to study Drama at the University of the Witwatersrand, graduating with a BA in Drama in 2002. She later completed a Communication Science diploma at UNISA and further business qualifications (Postgraduate Diploma and MBA) at Regenesys Business School, and has spoken about pursuing a PhD.

CAREER

Mvelase broke into mainstream media in 2002 as a presenter on CCM1. Her screen acting debut was a cameo on the e.tv soapie Backstage (2003), followed by the role of Mbali in the first season of SABC1’s Mzansi (2004). Her breakthrough came as Katlego Mbatha in the SABC1 drama series Home Affairs (2005–2009). The series received international recognition, including regional finalist and semi-finalist status at the International Emmy Awards; Mvelase herself was nominated for an International Emmy for Best Performance by an Actress in 2010. Selected television roles include: Home Sweet Home (2011) – Princess Shreds and Dreams (2011) – Yoliswa Thola (2014) – Dipuo Nuru Isibaya (from 2016) – Sibongile / Lt. Samkelo Mkhize (recurring) Madiba – Albertina Sisulu Justice Served (Netflix, 2022) – Mampho Mashaba (won SAFTA Golden Horn for Best Actress in a TV Drama, 2023) House of Zwide – Harriet The Estate – Noxolo Nobengela The Wife – Nomusa Marked, Icala, MTV Shuga, Yoh! Christmas, eGagasini, and many others She has also hosted Kaelo – Stories of Hope (from season 9) and Seng’Khathele. In film she was nominated for a SAFTA Golden Horn for Best Actress for Life, Above All (2011). Theatre credits include The Journey, Moulin Rouge, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Piano Lesson, The Colour Purple, and Nina Simone: Four Women. She co-runs the production company Lelu Productions and has directed/produced stage and television projects. She has released music, including the single “Themba Lami” (featuring Sacred Soul) in 2017. In 2023 she was named among the 100 Most Impactful People in the movie category, and she continues to receive recognition as an arts leader (including speaking at the 2025 SACO Conference).

PERSONAL LIFE

Mvelase was in a long-term relationship with actor Siyabonga Radebe; the couple shared a daughter and separated in 2017. She is a mother of two daughters, Nikiwe and Nkanyezi Samukelisiwe Mvelase. In 2025 she appeared on the cover of Bona magazine with her daughters. She is multilingual, fluent in English, South Sotho, Tswana, Zulu and Xhosa, and skilled in various accents (including American, British RP and Cockney). She is the founder and director of the Single Mums Foundation (also referred to as Sinikiwe Inkanyezi Single Mums Foundation), which supports and empowers single mothers. She has served on the boards of Constitution Hill, The Innovation Hub Management Company, and the Gauteng Tourism Authority.

Lerato Mvelase is regarded as one of South Africa’s most enduring and versatile performers, with a career spanning over two decades across drama, comedy, presenting, production and advocacy. A SAFTA winner and International Emmy nominee, she is also known for her commitment to education, single-mother empowerment, and cultural leadership. She remains active in both acting and broader arts/tourism governance roles.