Young ‘girlfriend’ for Leon Schuster

Johannesburg – She laughs, he smiles constantly. This is how filmmaker, actor and comedian Leon Schuster and Leané du Plessis, 28, head of media relations at AfriForum, respond to questions about their new “friendship”. A friendship that is actually still a secret.

“We have not decided whether it’s a future relationship,” Schuster said carefully on Wednesday and mischievously added: “I am a few years older than her. If we were in a formal relationship, I would have bought her a ring. “For now, not necessarily a wedding ring, he said and winked.

Age difference
Schuster is nearing 60.

Du Plessis, then a reporter for Beeld, met Schuster in February at a memorial service for Fanus Rautenbach.

“I took her out in July for the first time,” Schuster said. “I can talk to her. She is a beautiful and intelligent girlfriend. “She is very knowledgeable about the political situation in the country and she has a lovely sense of humour.

“She has been a friend of mine for a long time. We are currently in a friendship where we are both aware of the huge age difference.”

‘Good friends’
After his marriage with Lalie ended in 1999, Schuster is much more cautious.

He also has four children (a 30-year-old, a 28-year-old and 22-year-old twins).

At this stage relationships play second fiddle because of the challenges that his latest film, titled Mad Buddies, poses. The film will be in theatres in July 2012.

“Meanwhile, we are just really good friends,” Du Plessis said and laughed at the question of a relationship.

“At this stage we enjoy each other’s company. Leon is someone whom you can level with and appreciate for his maturity.”