Kabelo Mabalane facts for kids

Kabelo Mabalane (born 15 December 1976) is a well-known South African musician, songwriter, and actor. He is famous by his stage names Bouga 2 Shoes or Bouga Luv. Kabelo is a member of the popular kwaito music group TKZee. He has even opened shows for world-famous musicians like Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Ja Rule, and Rihanna. He also co-owned Faith Records, a music company in South Africa. In 2014, he was a judge on the TV show SA's Got Talent for two seasons.

Kabelo's Music Journey

Early Solo Success

In 2000, Kabelo released his first solo album called Everybody Watching. This album had hit songs like "Pantsula For Life" and "Amasheleni". It was very popular and sold 100,000 copies within weeks, earning a platinum award. He quickly followed up with his second album, Rebel With A Cause. This album included hit songs such as "It's My House" and "Ayeye". It was another huge success, selling 130,000 copies and reaching double platinum status.

Awards and Achievements

Kabelo won a South African Music Award in 2003 for his second album, Rebel with a Cause. He then released his third album, And the Beat Goes On, which sold 150,000 copies and became triple platinum. This album featured popular songs like "Zonke", "Reverse Yomhlaba", and "Zibuzwala Kimi". In 2004, he won the Kora Award for Best Southern Africa Male Artist.

Beyond Music: Sports and TV

In 2005, Kabelo signed a deal with Reebok to create a special sneaker called Bouga Luv. He is also a keen runner and has completed the Comrades Marathon three times between 2006 and 2008. In 2008, he finished the tough 93 km race in just under 10 hours. He was also featured on the cover of Runner's World magazine in August 2008.

Kabelo, along with his TKZee bandmates Tokollo Tshabalala and Zwai Bala, performed at the 2010 Fifa World Cup Opening Ceremony. This was a huge event for South Africa. He was very active in sports during high school. Since 2006, he has completed five Comrades Marathons. In 2008, the South African Sports Confederation Olympics Committee (SASCOC) chose him as an Olympic Ambassador.

In April 2010, Kabelo became the presenter of a new sports and lifestyle talk show on South Africa's SABC2 channel. On September 6, 2010, at the 30th SAB Sports Journalist of the Year Awards, Kabelo won awards for Best Newcomer Overall and Best Newcomer Television Presenter.

Kabelo's Personal Life

Kabelo attended St. Stithian's College, a well-known boys' school in Randburg, Johannesburg. His future TKZee bandmates, Zwai Bala and Tokollo Tshabalala, also went to the same school.

He married South African actress Gail Nkoane in a private ceremony on February 9, 2013. They have two children together. Their daughter, Zoe Leano Mabalane, was born on March 28, 2015. Their son, Khumo, was born on January 31, 2018. Kabelo is widely seen as one of the best-selling kwaito artists of all time.

Kabelo's 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