“Thabo Mkhabela of Skeem Saam Discusses His Career Path and New Music Ventures”

Well-known South African actor Thabo Mkhabela says fame hasn’t changed him. The BA performing arts graduate from the University of Limpopo said he never believed it when he saw himself on TV in 2015.

He said it was overwhelming. The Skeem Saam actor said getting a role on Skeem Saam was the best moment of his life.

Thabo plays Leshole Mabitsela in the SABC1 drama. He said he’s happy to be a pilot in terms of the storyline.

He’s been the casting director on Skeem Saam since 2020.

“I’m a BA performing arts graduate. For me, it’s beyond just being on screen. It’s my career. Casting is part of it. When I’m acting and casting, for me, it’s still the same. It’s me who gets to find nice roles to say come and work, especially in a drama I call home,” he said.

The actor, originally from Bushbuckridge, said it’s good to be in another office within the performance arts.

“Arts is my calling. Since childhood, I’ve been recognized. I wanted to do law but couldn’t get a space. Automatically, I got a space in performance arts. At first, I didn’t want it, but I believe this is my destiny,” he said.

The actor said although he hasn’t been on screen in a while, people are asking, “When can we see you acting again on Skeem Saam?” and only time will tell.

He has plans of being an executive producer and seeing himself grow in the industry.

“I did register to study law at Unisa, but Covid-19 put a stop to it in 2020 when I was starting. I don’t think I’ll study law again. I’m interested in discovering talent in the kasis. I’m a storyteller. I was a dancer and still do poems,” he said.

Thabo said he’s also venturing into music.

“What I’ve done was rare and new in the villages,” said Thabo.

According to Thabo, being in the public eye hasn’t changed him as he still behaves and sees himself as Thabo. He was recently in a Mzansi Magic movie called Bo-mma.