Lethabo Monametsi is a 23-year-old South African professional dancer who joined Strictly Come Dancing as a new professional for series 24 in 2026, becoming one of the first South African dancers to join the BBC show’s professional company. A winner of the South African dance competition Dance Yo Dumo and a former dancer on the South African version of The Masked Singer, Monametsi arrived on Strictly with a mission to represent her country on one of television’s biggest dance stages.
| Full Name | Lethabo Monametsi |
| Age (as of 2026) | 23 |
| Date of Birth | June 1, 2003 |
| Birthplace | South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Occupation | Professional dancer |
| Known For | Strictly Come Dancing professional (series 24); winning Dance Yo Dumo (2022) |
| Strictly Come Dancing Partner (2026) | None at launch; professional troupe member for series 24 |
| Net Worth | Not publicly reported; no verified figure is published here |
Who Is Lethabo Monametsi?
Lethabo Monametsi is a South African dancer who was announced in July 2026 as one of five new professionals joining Strictly Come Dancing for series 24, alongside Aleksandra Isaeva, Maddie Ingoldsby, Mark Karmalita and Cristian Priori. She did not receive a celebrity partner at the launch of the series, joining the show’s professional troupe instead, and she is covered in our Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Cast hub.
Monametsi’s story is one of the most distinctive of the 2026 intake. She represented South Africa at the WDC Amateur Open World Championships in Ireland, won the South African television dance competition Dance Yo Dumo in 2022 with her partner Urban Wave, and performed as a dancer on the South African version of The Masked Singer. She also holds a BA with a Law major from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Early Life & Background
Lethabo Monametsi was born on June 1, 2003, in South Africa. She grew up dancing in the South African competitive scene, where she developed the Ballroom and Latin technique that would take her to international competition and, eventually, to the BBC.
Alongside her dance career, Monametsi studied at the University of the Witwatersrand, where she completed a BA with a Law major. Balancing university study with elite dance training is a measure of the discipline that has defined her career, and it gave her a second path beyond the dance floor.
Career/Journey
Monametsi’s breakthrough in South Africa came in 2022, when she won Dance Yo Dumo, the country’s televised dance competition, with her partner Urban Wave. The victory made her a known name in South African dance, and she went on to perform as a dancer on the South African version of The Masked Singer, one of the country’s most-watched entertainment shows.
Her competitive career also took her abroad, representing South Africa at the WDC Amateur Open World Championships in Ireland. That international experience caught the eye of the Strictly Come Dancing team, and in July 2026 she was announced as one of five new professionals for series 24, joining fellow newcomers Maddie Ingoldsby, Mark Karmalita, Julian Caillon, Neil Jones and Alexis Warr in the professional company.
On joining Strictly, Monametsi said she was honoured to represent South Africa and that she could not wait to share her passion for dance with the British audience. Her arrival marked a new chapter for the show’s professional company, bringing South African dance talent to the BBC ballroom for the first time.
Facts About Lethabo Monametsi
- She was born in South Africa on June 1, 2003.
- She won the South African dance competition Dance Yo Dumo in 2022 with Urban Wave.
- She represented South Africa at the WDC Amateur Open World Championships in Ireland.
- She performed as a dancer on the South African version of The Masked Singer.
- She holds a BA with a Law major from the University of the Witwatersrand.
How old is Lethabo Monametsi?
Lethabo Monametsi is 23 years old. She was born on June 1, 2003, in South Africa.
Who is Lethabo Monametsi’s Strictly Come Dancing partner in 2026?
Lethabo Monametsi did not receive a celebrity partner at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing series 24 in 2026. She joined the show as a member of the professional troupe.
Where is Lethabo Monametsi from?
Lethabo Monametsi is from South Africa.
What did Lethabo Monametsi win in South Africa?
Lethabo Monametsi won the South African dance competition Dance Yo Dumo in 2022, with her partner Urban Wave.
When did Lethabo Monametsi join Strictly Come Dancing?
Lethabo Monametsi joined Strictly Come Dancing as a new professional in July 2026, for series 24.