10 Things You Didn’t Know About Skeem Saam Actor Eric Macheru (Leeto)

Eric Macheru is a South African actor and soccer player best known for his role as Leeto in the SABC1 drama series Skeem Saam.

He is also known for winning the SABC1 reality competition Sokka Kings in 2005, which gave him the opportunity to train for a week at the English Premiership club Tottenham Hotspur, a one-year contract with Highlands Cape Town and a sports management contract.

He was born in Botlokwa, Polokwane and attended Kuschke agricultural high school. At school he was very loud and was involved in all school activities including soccer and debates.

Eric has always known what he wants in life – when he was little he knew he would be a professional soccer player and a filmmaker. He grew up with his church going family; a father who loves sport, two brothers and his mother.

When Eric finished school he played soccer and then studied film at AFDA. Highlights in his career include playing soccer for Ajax CT, Platinum Stars and Tottenham Hotspur in a friendly.

In his leisure time, Eric enjoys reading biographies, watching soccer and chilling with friends. His favourite movies are Troy, Gladiator, Braveheart and The Matrix. Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp and Tom Hanks are his favourite movie stars. He relates to his favourite TV shows Entourage and How I Met Your Mother.

Eric doesn’t really have any regrets and he is inspired by people who are genuinely happy with their lives regardless of their situations. Eric’s only fear is failing himself. There is still a lot he wants to achieve especially to coach or own a soccer team one day.

If granted three wishes Eric would “reach all my goals, erase suffering in the world and wish for a million more wishes.” He would love to land a big presenting gig.

In 2012 he joined the cast of the Mzansi Magic telenovela iNkaba in the role of Rick, a top model on Fumi’s level described as “the Tyson Beckford of iNkaba world”.