- Ntsane returns to international screens
Lesotho-born actor Lebohang Ntsane, best known for his international breakthrough role in The Forgotten Kingdom, returns to the screen in the powerful new film KABELO, starring alongside acclaimed South African actor Warren Masemola.
Set against the sweeping landscapes of rural Southern Africa, KABELO follows the journey of a young shepherd whose dreams stretch far beyond the open plains he tends.
Kabelo is ambitious, restless and determined to escape a life shaped by circumstance, a story that mirrors the lived realities of many young people in Lesotho.
“The story reflects the realities of life and also looks at how the unemployment situation in Lesotho affects young people,” said Ntsane.
“So many dreams die because of a lack of resources and proper guidance. Kabelo reflects that, but he also represents how, as young Basotho, we are trying to make things better.”
At its core, KABELO is not simply about leaving home, but about the emotional and moral cost of chasing dreams without a map. As Kabelo steps into an unfamiliar world, the film explores expectation versus reality, ambition versus survival, and hope versus disappointment.
“One of the greatest lessons I hope people take from the film is that you do not have to let your dreams go,” Ntsane explains.
“You need to work towards them in any way you possibly can. Kabelo’s journey is a very painful one. He is not skilled in how to navigate it,he is often taken by the current, yet he keeps going.”
The authenticity of the performance is rooted in years of preparation. Ntsane reveals that the journey of becoming Kabelo began nearly a decade ago.
“We had to really get into the embodiment of a shepherd, but not just a typical one,” he said.
“This is someone who is in that situation but is driven to pursue his dreams. We went deep into the mountains with the director, met shepherds and had long conversations with them to understand how they think and see life. Physically, I didn’t need to change much, but emotionally it was an immense extension.”
Visually striking, the film uses Lesotho’s mountainous terrain as more than just a backdrop. The landscape becomes a metaphor, representing both confinement and belonging, isolation and identity.
Through this setting, KABELO speaks to broader African and global themes of migration, youth unemployment and the search for purpose.
According to Ntsane, telling a deeply Basotho story at this stage of his career carries profound personal meaning.
Ntsane first gained international recognition for his role in The Forgotten Kingdom (2013), where he delivered a grounded and emotionally resonant performance in a film that introduced global audiences to Lesotho’s landscapes, culture, and storytelling.
His role contributed to the film’s critical acclaim for its authenticity and quiet power, positioning Ntsane as one of Lesotho’s most promising acting talents and paving the way for his continued presence in African cinema.
“I am not the same person I was ten years ago. I have had time to really study the craft of acting, storytelling, characters and emotions. This journey made me fully aware that as Basotho, we are built different. Our stories matter,” he reflected.
The film also marks a significant collaboration with Masemola, whose big presence adds weight and depth to the story.
“Working alongside Warren is phenomenal and surreal. It does not cloud you, it makes you a better performer. Acting is inborn for him; he does it effortlessly. He is warm, generous, and guides with passion. I am grateful to have learned so much from him,” Ntsane said.
KABELO will appear at the Johannesburg Film Festival on 5 March 2026, placing Lesotho firmly on one of Africa’s most important cinematic platforms.
Summary
- Kabelo is ambitious, restless and determined to escape a life shaped by circumstance, a story that mirrors the lived realities of many young people in Lesotho.
- Ntsane first gained international recognition for his role in The Forgotten Kingdom (2013), where he delivered a grounded and emotionally resonant performance in a film that introduced global audiences to Lesotho’s landscapes, culture, and storytelling.
- His role contributed to the film’s critical acclaim for its authenticity and quiet power, positioning Ntsane as one of Lesotho’s most promising acting talents and paving the way for his continued presence in African cinema.
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