Biography
Kabelo Mabalane (born December 15, 1976), best known as Bouga Luv, is a 46-year-old multiple-award-winning personality in showbiz. He is a kwaito musician, actor, and songwriter.
As a singer, he belongs to the musical trio TKZee and owns an independent music company – Faith Records. He has many kinds of music, television, and acting credits.
One of his television credits is presenting the South African Music Awards. Bouga Luv has also opened shows for top international artists like Jay-Z, Ja Rule, 50 Cent, and Rihanna.
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| Quick Facts | |
| Full Name: | Kabelo Mabalane |
| Other Name: | Bouga Luv |
| Born: | December 15, 1976 (age 46 years ols) |
| Origin: | Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Education: | St. Stithians |
| Wife: | Gail Nkoane Mabalane (m. 2013) |
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Musician, actor, songwriter |
| Record Label: | Faith Records |
| Years Active: | 1996-date |
| Genre: | Kwaito, hip-hop |
| Profiles: | |
| Affiliation: | TKZee |
| Net Worth: | R34 million |
Early Life
Kabelo Mabalane was born to South African parents on December 15, 1976. He comes from the large City of Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa. He grew up and attended schools in South Africa.
Education
Kabelo Mabalane studied at St. Stithians, where he met his high school friends and TKZ trio members
Career
Kabelo Mabalane is a well-known kwaito musician, actor, and songwriter. Many know him as a member of the trio TKZee. Together with fellow artist Danny K, Mabalane founded the SHOUT campaign..
Music
Mabalane joined the music industry in 1996 when he and his high school friends Zwai Bala and Tokollo Tshabalala formed the music trio TKZee.
As a group, they dropped several kwaito songs like Take It Easy and Phalafala, which gained massive airplay that year.
In 1998, Zwai produced the single Shibobo featuring Benni McCarthy. In 2000, Kabelo dropped his first studio album, Everybody Watching.
Kabelo has continued to drop many award-winning albums and songs and launched an independent record company – Faith Records.
The musician has also made appearances on the international scene. He opened shows for several legendary music stars like Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Ja Rule, and Rihanna.
Discography
- Shibobo / The Final Countdown
- Pantsula 4 Life
- Zonke
- Dlala Mapantsula
- Palafala
- Amapantsula Ajabulile
- Mambotjie
- Amasheleni
- Reverse Yomhlaba
- We Love This Place
- Fella Kae
- Izinja Zam
- Magesh
- Masimbela
- Game On
- Love Me or Leave Me Alone
- Fiasco
- Ska Re Wela
- Pantsula For Life
- Girl Without A Name
- For As Long As Ngisaphefumula
- Sangena Sangena
- Bona Senzani
- Zibuzwala Kimi
- Meketeng
- Impilo
- Ice Cream Soda!
- Generation X2Y
- The World Is Mine
- Matimba
- Nje Ngami
- Jeso Fela
Sports
Aside from music, Kabelo’s love for sports is immeasurable. He has been active in sports since his high school days. The award-winning personality began preparation for the Comrades Marathon in 2005.
Kabelo has participated in many grueling races since 2006. The South African Sports Confederation Committee noticed his zeal and selected him to be an Olympic Ambassador.
Television
Mabalane has also made many television appearances since 2010. He presented a multi-sport and lifestyle talk show on SABC2 – Sportsnite – on Fridays at 09:30 PM.
Kabelo became a permanent judge on the E.tv reality competition series SA’s Got Talent. In 2013, he hosted the Mzansi Magic reality competition series Kabelo’s Bootcam.
Filmography
| BootCamp Mzansi – Celebrity Edition as Host |
| Yizo Yizo as Kabelo |
| The South African Music Awards as Presenter |
| The Road as Bogart |
| Sportsnite as Host |
| SA’s Got Talent as Judge |
| The Close Up as Himself |
| Rhythm City as Artist |
| Play Your Part as Presenter |
Personal life
The veteran musician Kabelo Mabalane married a South African actress Gail Nkoane in February 2013. The couple exchanged their marriage vows in a private ceremony.
The duo has a daughter Zoe Leano Mabalane and a son Khumo Mabalane.Â
Achievements
The prominent music, television, and sports personality has bagged many awards and recognition. In 2005, Mabalane signed a deal with Reebok to produce a sneaker – Bouga Luv.
In 2003, Mabalane’s second studio album, Rebel with a Cause, earned him a South African Music Award. He bagged the Kora Awards for Best Southern Africa Male Artist in 2004.
From 2006 to 2008, the music personality has run the Comrades Marathon thrice. Mabalane appeared on the cover of Runner’s World magazine in August 2008.
In 2010, Kabelo and other TKZee members performed at the FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony.
Mabalane received two awards at the 30th SAB Sports Journalist of the Year Awards on September 6, 2010. He bagged Best Newcomer Overall and Best Newcomer Television Presenter.
Kabelo is the first South African celebrity to enter a 3-year endorsement deal with Reebok.
Net Worth
Kabelo Mabalane has over twenty-six years of experience in the entertainment industry. Many consider him one of the best-selling kwaito artists in South Africa. He has a net worth of R34 million as of August 2022.