‘Outlaws’ actor Lehlohonolo Mayeza as Leruo Tseole. Images via Twitter @PhilMphela
Lehlohonolo Mayeza: ‘I asked people on Facebook to help me pay for my exam fees’
Lesotho-born actor Lehlohonolo Mayeza, who plays Leruo in ‘Outlaws’ discusses his late parents, his difficult upbringing and being homeless.
‘Outlaws’ actor Lehlohonolo Mayeza as Leruo Tseole. Images via Twitter @PhilMphela
The Lesotho-born actor Lehlohonolo Mayeza, who scored his first major lead role as Leruo Tseole says he was homeless before the Showmax hit series, Outlaws.
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LEHLOHONOLO MAYEZA: HOMELESS
Speaking to The Citizen, the Outlaws actor Lehlohonolo Mayeza opens up about losing his parents, being homeless and securing the role of Leruo.
Mayeza, who was born and raised in a small village called Ha-Tjope in Lesotho tells the publication that his parents died when he was young.
He adds that he moved to Maseru, seeking greener pastures after finishing his matric but ended up homeless and lived on the streets for nearly a year.
“At the time, I was not even thinking about furthering my studies. I needed a job because I had nothing, no food, clothes, shelter, nothing. I eventually got a job as a security officer. From there, I started looking for means to go to school.”
“I then posted on Facebook, asking people to help me pay for my supplementary exam fees because I couldn’t afford to pay. A guy named Kananelo Boloetse helped me. I passed my supplementary exams and then applied for university,” he adds.
Mayeza also reveals that he graduated from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Lesotho, where he studied for a Film Production and Television degree.
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PLAYING LERUO IN ‘OUTLAWS’
The rising star Lehlohonolo Mayeza reveals to TshisaLIVE that he’s a rural boy from the mountainous areas of Lesotho just like his Outlaws role, Leruo Tseole.
“I am a rural boy who is used to riding horses and donkeys for they are the only means of transport there. I grew up in rural areas, where people would steal cattle from Zululand.
“I know that story and have seen it with my own eyes, for I used to herd animals where we were living, which was near the borders of the two countries.”
Mayeza adds that he doesn’t think Zulu people are going to like his character, particularly viewers who are victims of cattle theft.
In the Showmax series Outlaws, Leruo steals Zulu cattle, brings a lot of heartbreak but can show love.
The contemporary Western series, Outlaws, which is created by The River, Legacy’s creators Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon from Tshedza Pictures also stars Siyabonga Shibe, Mnqobi Kunene, Lehlohonolo Mayeza and Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku.
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