JOHANNESBURG — South African actor and media personality Thapelo Mokoena is celebrating a major career milestone after winning Best Actor at the 2025 Exclusive Men of the Year (EMY) Africa Awards, held over the weekend at the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana.
Mokoena took to Instagram to express his overwhelming emotions, admitting he is still trying to take in the moment.
“Haven’t been able to find the words to describe the feeling and moments in Ghana this weekend,” he wrote.
The actor, who rose to fame nearly twenty years ago on Generations playing Gabriel, the bodyguard to Karabo Moroka, said the award means a great deal to him.
“I love what I do, and I’m super grateful for the acknowledgement,” he added.
Over the years, Mokoena has built a successful career across television, film, and presenting, becoming one of South Africa’s most versatile and respected entertainers. He is also the son of the late Free State Stars FC chairman Mike Mokoena, who passed away in 2020 after a battle with cancer.
The EMY Africa Awards are widely regarded as one of the continent’s largest and most respected ceremonies celebrating outstanding achievement. Mokoena extended his heartfelt gratitude to the organisers, including founder Kojo Soboh.
Mokoena’s latest win places him firmly among Africa’s leading performers, marking yet another high point in his expanding international profile.
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