New Strictly Come Dancing Professional Lethabo Monametsi is a South African professional dancer, undefeated national Latin Champion, performing artist and social-impact leader whose remarkable journey has taken her from watching Strictly Come Dancing on television to joining the programme’s professional cast.
Lethabo first fell in love with dance after watching the South African version of Strictly Come Dancing. Inspired by the dazzling performances she saw on screen, she walked into a dance studio for the first time in 2016 and began a journey that would eventually take her to the highest levels of South African dance.
Despite beginning her formal dance training comparatively late, Lethabo quickly developed into an exceptional Latin American dancer, becoming an undefeated South African Latin Champion and was selected to represent her country at the WDC Amateur Open World Championships in Ireland.
Lethabo is also an accomplished television and stage performer. She won the South African television dance competition Dance Yo Dumo as a member of the dance group Urban Wave and later appeared as a dancer on The Masked Singer South Africa.
Her professional performance career has seen her share the stage with internationally renowned artists including Diana Ross and Hans Zimmer.
Away from the dance floor, Lethabo combines her artistic career with academic achievement and charitable work. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree incorporating Law and Sociology and is the founder of the Gaopalelwe Foundation, a South African non-profit organisation supporting young people through arts education, financial literacy and holistic wellbeing.
In 2026, Lethabo’s dancing journey came full circle as she was announced as a new professional dancer on BBC Strictly Come Dancing. Speaking about joining Strictly, Lethabo said:
“This moment is bigger than me. I step into it with profound gratitude and deep humility, knowing it is the culmination of years of unwavering love, belief, and support from the people who dared to dream alongside me.
“Representing South Africa on the Strictly Come Dancing stage is far more than a career milestone, it is an honour beyond words, and I cannot wait to embrace every extraordinary moment of this journey.”
With her captivating performance style, determination and passion for using dance to inspire others, Lethabo is an exciting addition to the Strictly professional line-up.
Learn all about Lethabo Monametsi’s inspirational dancing career, South African championship titles, Strictly Come Dancing appearances, age, height, education, television work, charitable foundation, photos, facts and latest news below..
Learn all about Lethabo Monametsi’s inspirational dancing career, South African championship titles, Strictly Come Dancing appearances, age, education, television work, charitable foundation, photos, facts and latest news below. Table of Contents
Quick Facts About Lethabo Monametsi
| Attribute | Detail |
| Age | 23 |
| From | South Africa |
| Television appearances | Dance Yo Dumo and The Masked Singer South Africa |
| Strictly debut | 2026 |
| Dance speciality | Latin American |
| Major titles | Undefeated South African Latin Champion. Represented South Africa at the WDC Amateur Open World Championships |
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Lethabo Monametsi’s Dancing Career
Lethabo Monametsi’s passion for dancing began after she watched the South African version of Strictly Come Dancing.
Inspired by the professional dancers she saw performing on television, Lethabo entered a dance studio for the first time in 2016. What began as a new interest soon developed into an extraordinary competitive and professional career.
Lethabo quickly established herself as one of South Africa’s most promising Latin American dancers. Through dedication, natural performance ability and intensive training, she progressed to become an undefeated South African Latin Champion.
Her success earned her the opportunity to represent South Africa internationally at the WDC Amateur Open World Championships in Ireland.
Her journey from Strictly viewer to national champion and, ultimately, Strictly professional makes Lethabo’s appointment to the BBC programme a particularly special full-circle achievement.
Lethabo Monametsi Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lethabo Monametsi a Strictly Come Dancing professional? Yes, Lethabo Monametsi joined the professional cast of Strictly Come Dancing for the programme’s 2026 series.
Where is Lethabo Monametsi from?
Lethabo Monametsi is from South Africa and has represented her country at international dance competitions.
When did Lethabo Monametsi join Strictly Come Dancing?
Lethabo Monametsi joined the professional line of Strictly Come Dancing in 2026.
When did Lethabo Monametsi start dancing?
Lethabo began her formal dance training in 2016 after being inspired by watching the South African version of Strictly Come Dancing.
Has Lethabo Monametsi appeared on television?
Yes. Before joining Strictly, Lethabo won Dance Yo Dumo with Urban Wave and performed on The Masked Singer South Africa.
Interesting fact about Lethabo Monametsi
Lethabo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree incorporating Law and Sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Lethabo also founded the Gaopalelwe Foundation, a South African non-profit organisation supporting young people through arts education, financial literacy and holistic wellbeing.
BBC Strictly Come Dancing
Find out more information about the BBC TV programme Strictly Come Dancing
by checking out the BBC Strictly Come Dancing website
www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing
Donahey’s Dance Lessons & UK Weekend Breaks are not associated with BBC Studios
Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers
Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here
– Aljaz Skorjanec
– Alexis Warr
– Amy Dowden MBE
– Carlos Gu
– Dianne Buswell
– Giovanni Pernice
– Gorka Marquez
– Johannes Radebe
– Jowita Przystal
– Julian Caillon
– Kai Widdrington
– Karen Hauer
– Katya Jones
– Lauren Oakley
– Luba Mushtuk
– Michelle Tsiakkas
– Nadiya Bychkova
– Nancy Xu
– Neil Jones
– Nikita Kuzmin
– Vito Coppola
– Aleksandra Isaeva
– Cristian Priori
– Lethabo Monametsi
– Maddie Ingoldsby
– Mark Karmalita
Meet the Strictly Come Dancing Presenters
Learn more about Strictly presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdecombe and Johannes Radebe
Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Judges
Learn more about all the Strictly Judges here;
– Anton du Beke
– Shirley Ballas
– Motsi Mabuse
– Craig Revel Horwood
