Kabelo Mabalane facts for kids

Kabelo Mabalane, born on 15 December 1976, is a famous South African musician, songwriter, and actor. People know him as Kabelo or Bouga Luv. He is part of a popular music group called TKZee. Kabelo has even performed before big stars like Jay-Z and Rihanna. He also helped run a music company called Faith Records. In 2014, he was a judge on SA's Got Talent.

Music Journey

Kabelo started his solo music career in 2000. His first album was called Everybody Watching. It included popular songs like "Pantsula For Life" and "Amasheleni". This album sold over 100,000 copies very quickly. This made it a "platinum" album.

His second album, Rebel With A Cause, came out soon after. It had hit songs such as "It's My House" and "Ayeye". This album was even more successful. It sold 130,000 copies, reaching "double platinum" status.

In 2003, Kabelo won a South African Music Award for Rebel With A Cause. His third album, And the Beat Goes On, sold 150,000 copies. This made it "triple platinum". It featured popular songs like "Zonke" and "Reverse Yomhlaba". In 2004, he won the Kora Award for Best Southern Africa Male Artist.

In 2005, Kabelo teamed up with the shoe company Reebok. They created a special sneaker named "Bouga Luv" after him.

Kabelo also performed at the 2010 Fifa World Cup Opening Ceremony. He was there with his TKZee bandmates, Tokollo Tshabalala and Zwai Bala.

Sports and TV

Kabelo was very active in sports when he was in high school. In 2005, he started training for the Comrades Marathon. This is a very long race, about 93 kilometres! He has completed this tough race five times since 2006. In 2008, he finished the race in just under 10 hours. He was also featured on the cover of Runner's World magazine in August 2008.

In 2008, the South African Sports Confederation Olympics Committee (SASCOC) chose Kabelo as an Olympic Ambassador. This means he helped represent the Olympics.

In April 2010, Kabelo became the host of a new sports and lifestyle TV show. It was shown on South Africa's SABC2 channel. Later that year, he won two awards at the SAB Sports Journalist of the Year Awards. He was named Best Newcomer Overall and Best Newcomer Television Presenter.

Family Life

Kabelo went to a well-known boys' school called St. Stithian's College in Randburg, Johannesburg. This is where he met his future TKZee bandmates, Zwai Bala and Tokollo Tshabalala.

Kabelo married South African actress Gail Nkoane on 9 February 2013. They had a private wedding ceremony. The couple has two children. Their daughter, Zoe Leano Mabalane, was born on 28 March 2015. Their son, Khumo, was born on 31 January 2018.

Kabelo Mabalane is known as one of the best-selling kwaito artists ever.

Music Albums

Solo Albums

• 2000: Everybody Watching
• 2002: Rebel With A Cause
• 2003: And the Beat Goes On
• 2004: Bouga Luv Album
• 2006: Exodus
• 2007: I'm A King
• 2011: Immortal - Vol. 1
• 2012: Immortal - Vol. 2
• 2015: Immortal - Vol 3

Albums with TKZee

• 1996: Take It Eazy
• 1997: Phalafala
• 1998: Shibobo
• 1998: Halloween
• 1999: Guz 2001 (TKZee family)
• 2001: Trinity
• 2005: Guz hits
• 2009: Coming Home