Latest news with #MarothiMaphuthuma
News24
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Skeem Saam's Rachel Kunutu is coming back! See highlights from the star
The character of Rachel Kunutu, portrayed by actress Lesego Marakalla, has been etched onto the hearts of South African viewers. Following the exciting news of her return to Skeem Saam, fans of the show have been buzzing with anticipation. Back in Turfloop, the much-loved character is set to appear on screen again. The last time we saw Rachel, she had fled the country after pulling one of her boldest moves of framing her lover, Marothi Maphuthuma (played by Macks Senatla), for her death. In real life, Lesego Marakalla tells DRUM that she stepped away from the spotlight to focus on her studies. But, judging by the overwhelming love she continues to receive online, it's clear she was never forgotten. Let's take a walk down memory lane and revisit some of Rachel Kunutu's most unforgettable moments. 1. Rachel and Marothi: forbidden love Her relationship with Marothi was one of the highlights of Rachel's journey. Despite loud disapproval from the character's family, Rachel pursued a controversial romance with the much older and wealthier man. Her loved ones warned her against him, questioning both his intentions and their age gap, but Rachel was determined to follow her own path. Against all odds, she went on to marry him, stepping into the complex role of being both a wife and a stepmother to his daughter. It was a whirlwind period of transformation for Rachel, marked by love, power struggles and eventually betrayal. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skeem Saam Official Page (@skeemsaam13) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skeem Saam Official Page (@skeemsaam13) 2. Rachel Kunutu drugging Marothi After cheating on her with Kaone, Rachel avenged herself through drugging Marothi. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skeem Saam Official Page (@skeemsaam13) Marothi was unable to process the lengths Rachel had gone to in order to get her revenge. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skeem Saam Official Page (@skeemsaam13) Online, fans have been quick to point out Rachel practically 'invented' the now-viral revenge diaries trend on TikTok. Created by TikTok influencer Goitsemang Lekgetlho, the trend features dramatic retellings of real-life revenge stories submitted by people scorned by partners and Rachel's fictional antics fit right in. 3. Rachel's fear of poverty Rachel earned a reputation thanks to her unapologetic love for the finer things in life. Though her roots were firmly planted in Turfloop, she never saw it as her final destination. She dreamed bigger and carried herself like someone destined for more. She made sure everyone knew it too. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skeem Saam Official Page (@skeemsaam13) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skeem Saam Official Page (@skeemsaam13) More Skeem Saam past memorable moments View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skeem Saam Official Page (@skeemsaam13) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skeem Saam Official Page (@skeemsaam13) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skeem Saam Official Page (@skeemsaam13)
News24
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Skeem Saam icon Lesego Marakalla is back with intrigue, drama and an estranged husband
Skeem Saam viewer favourite Rachel Kunutu (Lesego Marakalla) returns to the much-loved SABC 1 drama next month. Hot on her heels with his on-screen return is her estranged husband, Marothi Maphuthuma (Macks Senatla Saga Papo). Actor and presenter Tshepo 'Howza' Mosese joined the weeknight drama as a shady new character, Ghost, linked to Kunutu's disappearance from Turfloop. Years of begging and pleading with the production team behind SABC 1's much-loved Skeem Saam have finally paid off for avid viewers. This after the public broadcaster announced the long-awaited return of viewer favourite and original slay queen, Rachel Kunutu, portrayed by Lesego Marakalla. Marakalla's troublesome character made an open-ended exit from the weeknight drama in 2020 after nearly a decade on-screen. At the time, the actor's departure was attributed to her returning to school full-time. Farewell 'Dynamite' We will miss you! ❤️ #SkeemSaam Posted by Skeem Saam on Friday, June 19, 2020 In 2020, the award-nominated actor briefly returned to screens in Generations: The Legacy. 'It feels good to be back. It is not only about me, but it is also about my supporters who appreciate my craft,' Marakalla said about her return. 'They have been asking me when I will be returning to Skeem Saam, and I'm happy to say that they will see me back on-screen playing Rachel very soon.' According to the SABC, the true pioneer of the soft life movement will abruptly return to the streets of Turfloop on Tuesday, 10 June. Upon her return, viewers would quickly discover Kunutu might have been mixing with the wrong company, pressuring her to associate with the likes of Lord of the Flies (Archie Nhlapo) and Ghost - a shady new character portrayed by actor and presenter Tshepo 'Howza' Mosese. Marakalla is not the only familiar face returning to the much-loved show. Her estranged businessman husband, Marothi Maphuthuma, portrayed by Macks Papo, who has changed his name to Macks Senatla Saga Papo for cultural and traditional reasons, also makes a comeback next month. 'I am very excited to be back, and I look forward to telling more compelling stories,' Papo said. Expected to debut on Friday, 13 June, uncertainty looms around whether a reconciliation between the couple is on the cards or if revenge was the endgame for his Dynamite, as he fondly referred to Kunutu, after she stole a substantial amount of his wealth and framed him for her death before her disappearance.
News24
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
‘Rachel is now stronger than when she left' – Lesego Marakalla makes an abrupt return to Skeem Saam
She was only 18 years old when we were first introduced to her on our screens. Rachel Kunutu transformed from a quiet high school girl with freckles in the small Limpopo town of Turfloop into an outspoken and rebellious figure, quickly endearing herself to those around her. 'The opportunity changed my life in a way that I was able to help my mom financially because I was raised by a single mom and I was able to improve my life as well,' actress Lesego Marakalla tells Drum. Brought to life by Lesego Marakalla, the Skeem Saam character went on to get married to a much older local businessman, Marothi Maphuthuma, played by Macks Senatla. During their dating phase, Rachel's family were not only disgruntled but also not supportive of the relationship which they believed would be short-lived. Much to their dismay, the 'original slay queen' kept her man long enough to get married to him and even take on the stepmother role to his daughter. Eventually, after eight years on the show, Rachel jetted out of the country with a substantial amount of Marothi's wealth after framing him for her death. But in real life, the actress was reported to have quit acting to focus on her studies. Read more | Skeem Saam's Mogau Keebine speaks on marriage, motherhood, and acting woes After a five-year absence from our screens, she returns with the same passion that once captivated us. 'People never forgot me. When I left the screen, I thought after two years people would have forgotten about me and I'll be able to walk around without people noticing me but that hasn't happened.' Even with all the love and fame she's gotten from this one acting role she's nailed, she says her work on screen has never changed the person that she is. 'I'll always remain the Lesego people know.' Announcing her return, SABC issued out a statement welcoming her back on the drama series. 'Rachel Kunutu, the original slay queen, the true pioneer of the soft life movement, abruptly returns to Turfloop after relocating for a few years. On her return from the 10th of June, we quickly discover that she might have been mixing with the wrong company, pressurizing her to associate herself with the likes of 'Lord of the Flies' (Archie Nhlapo) and 'Ghost, a shady new character that will be portrayed by multitalented South African rapper, songwriter and reality show presenter, Tshepo Howza Mosese,' the statement teases. Read more | 'The prison storyline is personal to me' – Slimdope on Skeem Saam rave success Speaking to Drum about what she's been up to since 2020, she admits that she's done a lot of work on herself and has grown mentally and emotionally. To her excitement, her character, Rachel will reflect similar growth upon her return. 'Rachel is now stronger than when she left because she was overseas for almost five years all by herself without her family or friends. So, she had to be stronger because no one was there to help her when she came across challenges of life.' More than anything, she can't wait to get back into the game again to take on the exciting challenges that come with her character because of how different Rachel is to Lesego. 'I'm just excited that my supporters will get to see me back on screen again.'
