Lehlohonolo Mayeza on Leruo’s battles in Outlaws Season 2

The highly anticipated second season of Outlaws is set to start streaming on Showmax on 17 November and on Mzansi Magic on 22 November.

Returning for Season 2 as the handsome Leruo Ts’eole, Lehlohonolo Mayeza speaks on fame after the success of Outlaws S1, the adoration he’s received from his home country of Lesotho, and working alongside his new on-screen lover, Noluthando Ngema (who takes over as Sihle in Season 2), plus his on-screen nemesis, Tladi, played by Keketso Mpitso.

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How has your life changed since the success of Outlaws? What does your day-to-day life look like now that people recognise you as Leruo?

Fame has both its advantages and drawbacks. On the negative side, the public often stops seeing you as a regular person and starts viewing you as something extraordinary. The expectations can be overwhelming. For instance, when you're a celebrity, people assume you live a life of luxury and can't be seen dining at a one-star restaurant or eating street food. There's this pressure to alter your lifestyle to align with their idealised version of who you are.

Another downside of fame is that when we make public appearances, fans often rush to take pictures, and sometimes they even end up fighting over it. I get really concerned about that as I don’t want to see people get hurt.

However, playing Leruo also brought many positive things, one of which was the recognition I received from both the public and private sectors, including opportunities to work as an ambassador.

One of my goals has always been to motivate the youth, the less privileged, and the talented, encouraging them not to give up on their dreams. It was difficult to achieve this when I was just Lehlohonolo Mayeza, but with the success of Outlaws, I’ve been able to step into the spotlight and inspire others, instilling positivity and the drive to keep pushing forward, never giving up on their dreams.

You’re originally from Lesotho – how did your community back home receive Outlaws, and what kind of feedback or reactions stood out to you?

I honestly didn’t expect the kind of support I got from my people! One moment that really stood out to me was when I was back home in the deep mountains of Lesotho, herding with the other boys. They celebrated and marvelled at how well I represented them. In that moment, I truly felt, 'Yes, I did that. I really did that.’

Without giving away too much, what emotional or moral challenges does Leruo face this season?

At this point, Leruo finds himself responsible for two significant people in his life, who he must support and protect. In addition to his loyalty to the gang, this adds even more weight to his shoulders.

Were there any scenes in Season 2 that pushed you more creatively or emotionally than those in Season 1?

Yes, some scenes definitely pushed me to my creative limits – the directing was absolutely exquisite.

The chemistry among the Outlaws cast is one of the show’s strongest elements. How has your on-screen dynamic with Noluthando evolved now that you’ve both lived in these roles for a while? 

Noluthando is an incredible actress, not just on screen but personally as well. Working with her made the process much smoother, and I learned a great deal from our scenes together.

Looking back at when you first joined Outlaws, how would you say the experience has shaped you – both as an actor and as a person?

The experience has been truly rewarding; it strengthened me mentally, physically, and emotionally. It taught me discipline, not only in my craft but also in how to interact with people and adapt to different environments, especially as a foreigner in South Africa.

Were there any new challenges on set this season? Working with certain cast members or shooting in specific locations? 

Honestly, I wouldn’t say there were any major challenges. I really enjoyed filming in different locations, though the heat at some of them was a bit intense.

You handle firearms so convincingly on screen – did you undergo any special training?

Yes, I went through specialised firearms training. Tshedza Pictures organised it for us, and we trained with a range of weapons, from small handguns to larger firearms.

Tlali became quite a fan favourite in Season 1. What do you love most about that character, and what was it like working with Keketso Mpitso?

The character and the way he portrayed him helped me a lot. Every time Tlali is filming with Leruo, I know the performance has to be on point.

Keketso Mpitso is my brother from another mother – when we are both on set we are always laughing and making jokes. He is such a humble and caring man… the total opposite of Tladi! Working with Keketso was one of the greatest things that has happened in my career.