Leleti Khumalo, one of South Africa’s most beloved actresses, has been a familiar face for decades, gracing the screens in iconic films and television shows. However, in recent years, she has become known not just for her immense talent, but also for her brave decision to step into the spotlight without hiding her skin condition—vitiligo. Khumalo’s journey of self-acceptance has inspired many, as she uses her platform to educate the public about the condition in which the skin loses its pigment.
Khumalo first rose to fame as a young girl in the global hit *Sarafina!* Over the years, her radiant beauty and unmatched acting skills made her a household name in South Africa. But while she was being celebrated for her talents, she was quietly battling an internal struggle. Since the age of 19, Leleti has lived with vitiligo, covering up her white patches with layers of makeup for most of her career. However, all that changed when she decided to fully embrace her natural appearance.
“I used to cover my white patches with make-up, but when I joined *Imbewu*, I decided not to cover them anymore,” Leleti shared. “People got to see me as I truly am, without the makeup. I had a long discussion with the creators of *Imbewu*, and they allowed me to show my skin. I wanted to use this opportunity to educate people about vitiligo, but I also didn’t want to do a half job. I’ll be doing educational talks on vitiligo, and I hope those talks will have an impact.”https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0_jx39MAsj/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Khumalo’s openness about her condition has resonated with many who either live with vitiligo or know someone affected by it. However, her path to self-acceptance was not easy. Reflecting on her younger years, Leleti admits that she had little knowledge of what vitiligo was when she first started noticing changes in her skin. “It was pure ignorance on my part,” she confessed. “I didn’t even know what it was until I became pregnant.”
Her doctor had warned her that the condition might worsen after giving birth, but at the time, Khumalo wasn’t overly concerned. She was filled with excitement as she anticipated the arrival of her children. In 2012, Leleti was pregnant with triplets, but tragically, she lost one of the babies at birth. The loss was devastating for her, and it compounded the emotional challenges she was already facing due to her skin condition. “Losing my baby was one of the hardest moments of my life,” she admitted. “I cried, prayed, and blamed myself.”
Leleti’s husband, businessman Skhuthazo Khanyile, was instrumental in helping her heal during this difficult time. “We dealt with the loss together, and he reassured me that he still loved me, regardless of my skin condition,” she shared. Despite the heartbreak, Khumalo found joy in the birth of her twins, Yamukelani and Ulwenzile, whom she calls “the best thing that has ever happened” to her.
Her first marriage, to *Sarafina!* creator Mbongeni Ngema, was not as fulfilling. Though she credits Ngema for helping launch her career, Leleti’s efforts to have children during that relationship were unsuccessful. Meeting Skhuthazo, however, changed everything for her, both emotionally and physically. Their love helped Leleti embrace her skin condition fully, and she attributes her current happiness to his unwavering support.
Though she initially struggled with depression due to her changing appearance, Khumalo has now found peace. “The more I learned about vitiligo, the more at ease I felt,” she says. Her journey to self-acceptance has been a long one, but today, Leleti Khumalo stands proud in her own skin, determined to raise awareness and inspire others.