Just a month ago, millions of viewers tuned in as American streamer and YouTuber Darren Jason Watkins Jr (20), better known as IShowSpeed, explored Johannesburg and Cape Town in real time. His marathon live streams, often running for more than eight hours a day, made headlines around the world.
But behind the chaos and comedy was a young South African helping to pull the strings.
Botlhale Hakeem Thobejane (18) – the son of former Muvhango actress Tebogo Thobejane – took on the role of creative director for IShowSpeed’s South African streams, helping shape what the global audience saw from Joburg.
Currently in Grade 12, Botlhale has been into streaming since he was 13 and says he has never looked back.
“Seeing how they entertained people and built communities made me want to try it out,” he tells Drum, speaking about early influences such as FaZe Adapt, Deshae Frost and DDG.
He also paid close attention to streamers like Mainly Lacy and Ronaldo, whose numbers grew through consistency, and watched how they eventually turned their hobbies into an income.
From fan to creative director
Botlhale was already a fan of IShowSpeed long before they met.
He says he discovered Speed around early 2021, just as the streamer’s popularity exploded.
“He was one of the streamers I’d often watch when I was bored or feeling down. From when I first discovered him playing VR, he’s been incredibly consistent, which is something I really respect,” he says.
The opportunity to join the South African leg of Speed’s African tour came through renowned photographer Leeroy Jason, who initially called Botlhale in to assist behind the scenes.
When the team struggled to find a young person who could “speak the lingo and understand the streaming culture”, his name quickly rose to the top.
“Leroy Jason needed someone young who could relate, influence, and communicate well with Speed. Because I understood the culture and the audience, that role naturally found me,” he explains.
“I officially got to meet IShowSpeed on 1 January 2026 when he arrived in South Africa.”
For Botlhale, finally seeing the streamer in person felt like a dream come true.
Showing Speed the ‘heart of Johannesburg’
Once the tour moved to Joburg, Botlhale’s vision as creative director was clear: he wanted Speed to feel the real Johannesburg.
“We travelled across Johannesburg during the tour. As a creative director, I wanted him to experience the heart of Johannesburg. He didn’t really get to see how amazing South Africa is in Cape Town. So, when he arrived in Joburg, we had a point to prove. I wanted him to soak in the Johannesburg vibe, energy, culture, and greatness,” he says.
This was his biggest job to date, and he challenged himself to rise to the occasion.
“I made sure I remained professional at all times. I had moments when I wanted to burst out with laughter, especially when he started singing during the car spinning,” he says.
“But seeing how much he genuinely enjoyed car spinning, and also watching him dance in Maboneng and really embracing the culture, was exciting.”
The hardest parts, he admits, were logistics and the constant pressure of making sure Speed “always had a good stream” – signal, safety, timing and interesting locations all had to line up.
Still, the experience left him inspired.
“It pushed me to aspire for more on an international level. Especially for my home and where I come from. It means there is a lot that local streamers can do. I want to merge my passion for streaming and my love for boxing, and see where that takes me.”
Life in the spotlight – and in his mom’s shadow
Fame is not new in Botlhale’s household. His mother, Tebogo Thobejane, has been making headlines since entering showbiz more than five years ago. But he says being recognised in his own right is still something he’s getting used to – and it sometimes comes with scrutiny.
“I won’t lie – I don’t always handle criticism towards my mom well. I’ve definitely got a bit of an ego,” he says honestly.
“But I’m always open to hearing criticism, which helps to build me, whether it’s negative or positive. I listen, I learn from it. Sometimes I just have to laugh at myself and keep it moving.”
As he juggles matric, content creation and new international opportunities, Botlhale hopes his story shows other young South Africans that there is space for them in the global streaming world – not just in front of the camera, but behind it too.
Follow Us on Twitter
