Actress Lerato Nxumalo plays the roles of Mpumi Cele on Lingashoni and Phakamile on etvScandal. She made her mark on television on the soap opera Durban Gen, where she played the role of medical intern Doctor Luthuli.
Lerato, who grew up wanting to be an accountant, learned at a young age that she was a natural actor. Despite knowing nothing about what accountants perform, she wanted to be one because it sounded posh.
Lerato was born on February 9, 1999, in KwaMashu, KZN, South Africa. She is Zulu and was named a Sotho by her parental grandmother. She attended Northland High School in Durban and studied dramatic and visual arts in matriculation; she graduated with a degree in film and television from Witwatersrand University.Over her short television career, Lerato Nxumalo played a supporting role on Isithembiso and Trapped. She made strides in video advertising after featuring several television commercials, including the 2019 Aero and 2017 Edgars Women’s Day commercials. She bagged the Durban Gen role via WhatsApp after sending a video clip of herself to Stained Glass Productions, the Durban Gen producers.
During the lockdown, I received a call from my agency to film myself and send the video to Stained Glass Productions; they took their time and responded after five months. Apart from acting, I am a script writer though I haven’t produced anything yet for the bigger sets.
– LERATO NXUMALO
Despite enjoying her acting career off screens, Lerato is a cattle farmer; she owns a large herd of cattle in Edladleni, where she spends most of her time. She plans to expand her cattle ranching business from a beef producer to an established cattle breeder. Her cattle herd of 84 beasts comprises indigenous Nkuni breeds and exotic Boran breeds. Lerato describes her cattle project as therapeutic and brings financial independence.
Like many other actors and artists in the entertainment industry, Lerato Nxumalo has started other income streams to sustain her lifestyle. The actress is famous for her social media presence, constantly posting funny videos mimicking different people. She also has a YouTube channel where she shares videos of bits and pieces of her everyday life.In 2022, she revealed on her Instagram account that she bought herself a new house at the age of 23