Kea Masango on Buhle’s Pregnancy in Youngins Season 3
Last Friday’s episode of Youngins Season 3 delivered one of the show’s biggest bombshells as the former Head Girl and “it girl” Buhle Kunene (played by Kealeboga Masango) began to suspect she might be pregnant. Even more shocking, the father could be her secretly married and older ex-lover, Kabelo (Lungile Radebe).
The storyline reflects a troubling reality in South Africa: one in seven new mothers are still in their teens, with 89.7% of them fathered by men between 20 and 29 years old. Even more alarming is that teenage pregnancies have grown by 17.9% over the past four years.
This week, Kealeboga Masango unpacked how Buhle reached this crossroads and what her pregnancy means — not just for her character, but also for young viewers across the country.
How Kabelo Filled the Void
When Kabelo entered Buhle’s life, she was in a vulnerable place. Losing her Head Girl title was a major blow — she had built her identity around academic success and social status. Suddenly uncertain about her future, she spiraled.
Kabelo, older, successful and put-together, became the perfect “replacement purpose.” He offered financial support, attention, stability and even the promise of funding her podcast. For a girl terrified of the unknown, he was an escape.
But in reality, his intentions were far from pure. While only two years older, his mindset and maturity put them worlds apart. He knew exactly what he wanted, while Buhle was still figuring out who she was. He took advantage of her emotional vulnerability, encouraging her to invest in him at the expense of herself — something she only begins to see fully once reality catches up.
Feeling Blamed — And Then Seen
Even before the pregnancy scare, Buhle faced constant judgment from classmates, teachers and even loved ones. When her ex-boyfriend Khaya (Toka Mtabane) told her she didn’t deserve what was done to her, it meant everything. Underneath the confidence and attitude, Buhle feels inadequate — something she never shows. Hearing kindness instead of blame was a rare and comforting moment.
Bringing Buhle’s Fear to Life
To play Buhle authentically, Kealeboga drew from documentaries, scenes from other dramas and her own memory of what it feels like to be fresh out of high school. Teenage pregnancy is overwhelming — shame, fear, confusion and pressure all hit at once.
As she explained, when you’re that young:
- You don’t know how to ask for help
- You don’t know whether you should
- You think you must handle everything alone
- But at the same time, part of you desperately needs support
This tension plays a major role in how Buhle navigates her next steps.
A Support System That Changes Everything
Two people help Buhle move from denial to acceptance:
Tumelo (Lebohang Lephatsoana) — who stands by her and encourages her to think clearly and choose what’s right for herself.
Miss Pearl (Keneilwe Matidze) — with whom she shares one of the season’s most emotional scenes. For the first time, Buhle drops the perfect façade and allows herself to be seen as human, scared and in need of guidance.
Why She Keeps Secrets
Buhle’s home life has shaped how she communicates. After discovering her father’s infidelity — and her mother’s acceptance of it — she began losing trust in her family structure. If the adults around her can’t be honest, why should she believe they’ll accept her honesty? By Season 3, she’s convinced she must handle life alone, even when the burden becomes overwhelming.
The Shadow of Zintle
Season 1’s tragic storyline — Zintle’s death after a backstreet abortion — still haunts Buhle. That moment, and witnessing the raw grief of Zintle’s parents, deeply influences her decision-making. Without giving spoilers, Kealeboga reveals that Buhle reflects on that tragedy as she considers her own choices about the pregnancy.
Telling Kabelo — With No Expectations
When Buhle finally reaches out to Kabelo, it’s not for validation. She simply needs him to know the truth. Whether he steps up or disappears, this moment is about her taking ownership of her situation and hearing herself admit what is happening.
The Bigger Picture
Teenage pregnancy in South Africa is not about a lack of education. As Kealeboga points out, schools often teach the basics — but fail to prepare teens for real emotional pressure, relationship boundaries or partner coercion. Many girls know the correct choices in theory, but the reality of love, attention or pressure from older partners changes everything.
Even more painful is how much blame falls on girls — while the older men responsible often walk away unchallenged. Kealeboga believes society must hold these partners accountable. They know exactly what they are doing, and the consequences fall almost entirely on the young women involved.
What’s Next on Youngins?
Buhle’s decisions are about to shift the power balance in the school and intensify the struggle against Principal Ramathuba. As her storyline unfolds, the show continues to highlight the realities and emotional pressure faced by young girls throughout South Africa.
Keep watching Youngins Season 3 — because this is only the beginning.
