11 Things You Did Not Know About Leleti, The Actress Who Played ‘Sarafina’

A few times every generation, an actor or actress emerges whose performances can change the way the public thinks about an issue.

Leleti Khumalo is such an artist. She captured our hearts as children in the 1988 film ‘Sarafina’. Although she has managed to live life away from the limelight, here are a few facts that we managed to collect about this brilliant star.

1. When Leleti auditioned for the role of ‘Sarafina’ in 1987 , she was only 15 years and blew everyone away with her perfomance 

2. Shortly after the movie was done, Leleti got married to the very director Mbongeni Ngema, who we see from the film hitting on her on countless occasions. 

3. Leleti who is now divorced from Ngema has shown regret over and over , calling the marriage a disgusting experience, and expressing remorse for having married an already married man. 

4. In 1993, she released her first album named Leleti and The Sarafina and dedicated it to the late Mohammed Ali 

5. She starred in major movies after that, Hotel Rwanda and Yesterday 

6. Leleti is now married to a business man, Skhuthazo, he is two years her junior and together they have twins, totalling to three children for Leleti one from ex husband Mbongeni 

7. Leleti now works as a radio presenter and has moved on to film producing and directing full time 

8. Leleti also suffers from a skin condition ‘vitiligo’ a skin condition resulting in white patches on the body. It is caused by the body attacking its own pigment cells.

9. Leleti had two miscarriages before she discovered she was carrying her twins, a moment she says was the happiest in her entire life 

10. Leleti recieved a Tony award nomination for Sarafina as well as an NAACP Image award for best stage actress. 

11. She is largely respected and admired by upcoming and professional actors in South Africa and beyond, many attribute their success to her.