Thando Thabethe

Thando Thabethe
Born
Thando Thabethe

(1990-06-18) 18 June 1990 (age 34)
NationalitySouth African
Other namesThando Thabooty, Thabooty
EducationMondeor High School
Alma materUniversity of Johannesburg
Occupations
  • Actress
  • playwright
  • radio DJ
  • TV presenter
Years active2003–present
Known for
Websitethandothabethe.com

Thando Thabethe (born 18 June 1990) is a South African actress, and Radio DJ who was the presenter for the television show Thando Bares All on channel TLC and current drive time host on 947. She is Nivea's first brand ambassador in Africa.[2] In 2019, Thando was named one of Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30. She is also the host of 947 Drive With Thando.

Early life and education

Thabethe was born in Johannesburg, Gauteng.[3][4][2] She attended Mondeor High School. In 2018, she was invited by the school she graduated from to give a speech to the grade 12 pupils ahead of their final matric exams.[5]

After completing her secondary school education, Thando proceeded to study at the University of Johannesburg, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom.) Accounting degree in 2011.[6] Thabethe lived with her mother alone for most of her teenage years as her father had passed away when she was 13 years old.[7]

Thabethe took part in theatre productions during her teenage years before getting her first TV role when she was 14 years old.[8][9] She also took part in theatre productions at UJ Arts Centre whilst in the university and worked at UJFM, a community radio station based at the University of Johannesburg, starting as news reader and later as a radio DJ.[8]

Career

2008–2013: Early life

Thabethe started her radio career in 2008 at UJFM before moving to popular youth radio station YFM in 2011 whilst she was in her final year of studies. At the same time she played the lead role of Thando Nkosi in the sitcom My Perfect Family,[10] which went on to air for 3 seasons. She later joined 5FM in 2013 on The Roger Goode Show. Other prominent work include, Club 808, Intersexions, Ngempela, Kowethu, 1s and 2s, and Single Guys.[11]

2014–2017: Generations: The Legacy, NIVEA, The Thabooty Drive

She played the role of Nolwazi Buzo on Generations:The Legacy, a South African soap opera, from 2014 to 2017.[12] In 2014, Thabethe was appointed as a Nivea brand ambassador, making her the first African brand ambassador is for the German body-care brand.[13][14] After joining 5FM, in 2016 she hosted her own show on weekdays, The Thando Thabooty Show, then The Thabooty Drive in 2017. In 2016 she starred in her first ever feature film Mrs Right Guy alongside Dineo Moeketsi, Thapelo Mokoena and Lehasa Moloi.[15]

In 2016, she hosted the South African Music Awards, alongside Somizi Mhlongo[14] and in 2017 she hosted the South African Film and Television Awards.[16]

2018–2020: Housekeepers, exit from 5FM

Thabethe started her television talk show Thando Bares All, on TLC with the first episode being aired on 2 June 2018.[17]

In 2018, she later starred in the thriller, drama series Housekeepers as Linda Ndlovu. She maintained her role in the season 2 of the series in 2019. In 2019, she starred in the lead role of Zinhle Malinga in the box office hit Love Lives Here.[18]

In 2019, she was nominated for Best TV Host and Best Talk Show for Thando Bares All, which aired on TLC, she was subsequently awarded Best Talk Show.[19]

After working at 5FM for five years, Thabethe resigned in March 2020. She hosted her final Thabooty show on the station on 5 March 2020.[20][21] She later shared her reasons for quitting on Twitter on 7 April 2020.[22][23]

2021-present: 947

Following the exit of DJ Fresh from 947, Thabete took over the drive time slot at 3pm on March 23, 2021.[24]

In May 12, 2022 she was announced as the judge of Miss South Africa 2022.[25]

Personal life

Thando's father died when she was in grade 8 at the age of 13.[26][27][28] She also lost her brother Sibu Thabethe, who was shot dead in an armed robbery in 2015.[28][29][30]

Awards

Year Association Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2022 DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards Favourite Radio Personality Nominated [31]
2023 South African Film and Television Awards TV Comedy Best Actress (How to Ruin Christmas) Won [32]

Filmography

Film roles

Year Film Role Notes
2019 Love Lives Here Zinhle Malinga Lead role
2016 Mrs Right Guy Anna Supporting role

Television

Year Film Role Notes
2008–2010 My Perfect Family[33] (season 1–3) Thando Nkosi Lead (Sitcom)
2010 Single Guys Evette Support (Sitcom)
Intersexions Lulu[34] Support (Drama)
2013 'Kowethu Sazi Lead (Drama)
2014 Mzansi Love Josephine
2014-2017 Generations: The Legacy Nolwazi Buzo Lead (Soapie)
2018 Thando Bares All Herself Presenter (Talk Show)
2018 - present Housekeepers [35] (season 1–3) Linda Lead (Thriller/Drama)
2020 Blood Psalms The Emissary of Heka Support (Thriller)
How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding Beauty Sello Lead(Romantic Comedy)
Reyka[36][37] Nandi Cele Lead (Crime-drama)
2023 Unstoppable:Thabooty Her self Reality show

References

  1. ^ "Profile of Thando Thabethe". Owens. Owen S. Management. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Why we love Thando Thabethe – Leading Ladies Africa". 30 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  3. ^ "The history of Joburg, City of Gold (ZA)". www.southafrica.net. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Johannesburg: The City of Gold". Johannesburg: The City of Gold. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Thando Thabethe gives moving speech at her former school". ZAlebs. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  6. ^ Magadla, Mahlohonolo (12 May 2020). "Thando Thabethe shares her academic certificates – and they're impressive!". Drum. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  7. ^ Nemasetoni, Dakalo. "Thando Thabethe's tear-jerking tribute to her mother for taking an early retirement to fund her studies". Drum. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  8. ^ a b Youth Village (10 October 2013). "Thando Thabethe Interview". Youth Village. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Thando Thabethe". Owen S Management. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Thando Thabethe on My Perfect Family". TVSA. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  11. ^ "Thando Thabethe". OKAYAFRICA's 100 WOMEN. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  12. ^ Mdaka, Yamkela (18 December 2015). "Thando Thabethe on her 'Year of Amazing'". Destiny Connect. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  13. ^ Digital, Drum. "5FM DJ Thando Thabethe new NIVEA Brand Ambassador". Drum. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Thando Thabethe was everything and more at the 2016 South African Music Awards – The September Standard". Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Mrs Right Guy" – via www.imdb.com.
  16. ^ "South African Music Awards - NEWS". www.samusicawards.co.za. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018.
  17. ^ Thando Bares All (Talk-Show), Thando Thabethe, Oxyg3n Media, retrieved 15 January 2021{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  18. ^ "Thando Thabethe, Lungile Radu team up for steamy local rom-com, 'Love Lives Here'". www.iol.co.za.
  19. ^ "Local celebs get in on the fun with Snapchat's viral new gender swap filter". Channel. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  20. ^ "Thando Thabethe Has Resigned From 5FM". ZAlebs. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  21. ^ Coetzee, Nikita (3 March 2020). "EXCLUSIVE: Thando Thabethe leaves 5FM: 'I've tendered my resignation'". Channel. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  22. ^ "Thando Thabethe sets the record straight following her 5FM exit | Radio & Podcasts". www.bizcommunity.com. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  23. ^ "Thando Thabethe reveals shocking details of 5FM exit". www.iol.co.za. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  24. ^ Matiwane, Nonkululeko (9 March 2021). "Thando Thabethe replaces Dj Fresh on 947 | Drum". News24. South Africa.
  25. ^ Amanda Maliba, Masego Seemela (12 May 2022). "Miss SA judges honoured to choose top 30 entrants". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  26. ^ Davis, Desere (11 May 2019). "'Get tested': Thando Thabethe stands up for SA's blood pressure health". Briefly. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  27. ^ Ngwadla, Nkosazana (28 June 2018). "Thando Thabethe's heartfelt letter to her late father". Drum. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  28. ^ a b Rose, Lily (23 October 2018). "Thando Thabethe talks tragic deaths of her father and brother". www.all4women.co.za. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  29. ^ Venge, Tinashe (28 October 2015). "Thando Thabethe's emotional battle". www.all4women.co.za. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  30. ^ Mkhize, Lesego (24 October 2018). "Thando Thabethe opens up about how she's dealt with the death of her dad and brother". Drum. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  31. ^ de Wee, Naledi (13 April 2022). "DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards: Take a look at all the nominees". The South African. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  32. ^ "All the winners at 2023's 17th Saftas | Life". News24. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  33. ^ My Perfect Family (TV Series 2015– ) - IMDb, retrieved 15 January 2021
  34. ^ Intersexions (TV Series 2010– ) - IMDb, retrieved 15 January 2021
  35. ^ Housekeepers (Drama), Thando Thabethe, Paballo Koza, Bohang Moeko, Masasa Mbangeni, 13 September 2018, retrieved 15 January 2021{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  36. ^ "FIRST LOOK | Kim Engelbrecht and Iain Glen in M-Net's new crime drama Reyka". Channel. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  37. ^ "Thando Thabethe and Kim Engelbrecht to star in detective series 'Reyka'". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 15 January 2021.