Harriet Lehabe

Harriet Lehabe, professionally known as Harriet Manamela, is a South African actress whose career spans film, television and theatre. She was born in Diepkloof, South Africa, and began her acting journey through community theatre before developing a successful television career.

She is particularly remembered internationally for playing the Teacher in Darrell Roodt's 2004 South African film Yesterday. Her character becomes an important source of friendship and support for Yesterday, played by Leleti Khumalo, as she struggles with illness and social isolation.

Yesterday was filmed entirely in isiZulu and starred Leleti Khumalo, Lihle Mvelase, Kenneth Kambule, Harriet Lehabe and Camilla Walker. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Outside film, Harriet became much more widely known for her television work. Her major role is Meikie Maputla in the SABC1 drama series Skeem Saam. She has also appeared in Soul City, Yizo Yizo, Zone 14, The Wild, Thola, Tjovitjo, When We Were Black, Soul Buddyz, Intersexions and other South African productions.

She has also built a strong theatre background, having performed with the Market Theatre Laboratory and in productions including Broken Dreams, Gommorah, Ways of Dying and Bozoli.