Actress Lerato Mvelase has spoken out against Black Trotters Afrika's unethical practices.
Image: Showmax/Supplied
Actress Lerato Mvelase recently opened up about the distressing experience of travel agency Black Trotters Africa announcing its liquidation just days before her scheduled departure.
The “Lockdown” actress, in a recent post, opened up about being scammed by a travel company, Black Trotters Africa, using her platform to raise concerns about accountability in the tourism industry and what she describes as a broader erosion of trust in society.
In a video shared online, Mvelase opens with a stark admission: “My name is Lerato Mvelase and I’ve been scammed.”
She alleges that the company involved is Black Trotters Afrika, a travel agency she claims is owned by Refiloe Miriam Tsakatsa and her husband, Itai “Africa” Tsakatsa.
According to Mvelase, the company allegedly liquidates and rebrands after complaints arise.
Mvelase says the incident came as a shock, particularly because she had previously worked with the company and believed she was supporting a fellow entrepreneur. “I didn’t think someone I had worked with before, someone I was supporting, would do anything like this,” she said.
Beyond her personal experience, Mvelase framed the situation as part of a deeper societal issue. She spoke at length about what she believes is a growing culture of self-interest and dishonesty, particularly in business and personal relationships.
“We are a society of scammers,” she said, clarifying that while not everyone is complicit, many people are “scamming each other” in different ways. “Your time, your money and the relationship you think you’re building are not valued, because everyone is self-serving.”
Mvelase also reflected on social media culture, describing it as a space where boundaries are often disrespected and relationships become transactional. “We are scammers with our friendships and our relationships,” she said, adding that this environment had already led her to consider stepping back from social platforms to focus on genuine connections and personal wellbeing.
Drawing on cultural and spiritual themes, Mvelase called for a return to values rooted in ubuntu and community. She urged South Africans to live out these principles daily rather than treating them as abstract ideals. “Kindness is not self-serving. Respect should just be part of who we are,” she said.
She also referenced scripture from 2 Corinthians, describing the experience as something that is “happening for me, not to me,” and encouraged others facing hardship to find strength and perspective in difficult moments.
In a direct appeal, Mvelase called on the Department of Tourism, industry leaders and private sector stakeholders to intervene, alleging that unethical practices by certain operators are damaging the integrity of the tourism sector.
She claimed to be shocked by the number of people who have allegedly been affected by the same company.
“They steal from our families and our children in the most brazen way, then rebrand and do it all over again,” she alleged, urging authorities to address what she described as a “rot” within the industry.
Mvelase concluded by reiterating that her message goes beyond her personal experience. “This isn’t just about me,” she said. “It’s about who we are becoming as a society, and the need to remember our humanity.”
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