Lebohang Lephatsoana Shines in Final Season of Youngins

The third and final season of Youngins premieres on Showmax this Friday, 19 September 2025. The youth-driven drama has captivated audiences across South Africa, setting records on the streaming platform. At the heart of the show is rising star Lebohang Lephatsoana, who continues to shine as Tumelo.

His character’s journey has resonated strongly with South Africa’s youth, especially queer audiences who see themselves in Tumelo’s struggles and triumphs. Showmax sat down with Lebohang to reflect on his journey and the impact of Youngins.

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When asked how the show influenced his experience as a young South African, Lebohang shared, “It’s been life changing. Playing Tumelo has been an incredible journey, not just because of the story I get to tell, but because of how deeply it resonates with viewers. A lot of young people, especially queer youth, look up to the characters we play. The experience has transformed my life. I still get goosebumps thinking about it. This was my first big break in the industry, and I’m grateful to be telling a story that matters.”

On the show’s influence, he said, “I believe it’s made many young people more aware of the consequences of their actions. In places like boarding schools, where there’s often less guidance, it’s easy to act without thinking things through. The show sends a strong message: it’s okay to enjoy your youth – but do it mindfully and with caution.”

Of course, fans are curious about Tumelo’s relationship with Sefako, which took a rocky turn in Season 2. Without giving away too much, Lebohang teased, “If viewers thought Tumelo and Sefako’s relationship hit rock bottom in Season 2: brace yourselves! Things get even more chaotic this season. We’ve seen Tumelo struggle with insecurity and being an unsupportive partner, especially with Sefako still in the closet. But this time, it’s not just Tumelo at fault – Sefako plays a role too. In Season 3, both are to blame for the turmoil in their relationship.”

Reflecting on Tumelo’s past struggles, particularly with drug addiction, Lebohang admitted it was one of the toughest challenges of his acting career. “Playing Tumelo during his addiction arc took a real toll on me. It was emotionally and physically exhausting. Tumelo on drugs was functioning at a very high level and I had to match that energy for weeks on end. I often wanted to escape to the Vaal, just to recharge. I’m usually a high-energy person but playing someone spiralling into drug use pushed me beyond my limits. Going home helped me reconnect with myself, spending time with family, doing the things Lebohang enjoys – it grounded me so I wouldn’t lose myself in the role.”

In the Season 3 teaser, fans spotted the Olifants Five heading to court. Asked what advice he would give Tumelo and the group, Lebohang laughed before answering, “Honestly, I’d tell the Olifants Five to forget about playing heroes and focus on their education. Being the ‘good guys’ has landed them in trouble with the law – not once but twice. While it’s admirable to want to save everyone, it’s not realistic. Just focus on your grades and get out of Olifantsfontein High!”

As Youngins draws to a close, Lebohang shared a heartfelt farewell to his castmates: “It’s been an emotional and unforgettable journey for the Olifants Five and our entire crew. I’ve built real friendships that I truly value from that set. These are such talented young actors, and I really want to commend how they welcomed me. Since Youngins was my first acting gig, I was nervous, but they made the process feel seamless and fun.”