In Pictures: Lingashoni actress Lerato Nxumalo ‘Mpumi Cele’ is a cattle rancher in real life.
Actress Lerato Nxumalo plays the role of Mpumi Cele on 1Magic telenovela Lingashoni where she is the daughter of businessman Mandla Cele – Patrick Mofokeng. She made her mark on television on etv soapie Durban Gen where she played the role of medical intern Doctor Luthuli.
Having grown up dreaming of being an accountant, Lerato realized that she was a natural actress at an early age. She wanted to be an account due to the fancy sound of expressing it despite being ignorant of what accountants do.
Lerato was born on 9 February 1999 in KwaMashu, KZN in South Africa; she is Zulu about was named a Sotho name by her parental grandmother. She attended Northland High school in Durban and studied dramatic and visual arts in matric; 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 Commercial. 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
Lerato Nxumalo cattle business
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.
