Khabonina Qubeka: A Multifaceted South African Talent

Khabonina Qubeka (born 22 January 1981) is a South African actress, television presenter, dancer, choreographer, businesswoman, and singer.

Khabonina Qubeka

In 2017, she won Best Actress at the Boston International Film Festival Awards and was nominated for Best Actress at the Florida Film Festival and the Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role as “Dora” in “Dora’s Peace.” As of 2017, she plays the role of gangster Nina Zamdela on the SABC 3 soap opera “Isidingo.”

She hosted the BET show “Fix My Love” and is known for her role as Maxine on the South African award-winning show “The Wild.”

As a professional dancer and choreographer, she has hosted and been a judge on numerous television dance reality shows, including SABC 1’s “Dance Your Butt Off” and eTV’s “Step Up or Step Out.” She also choreographed the Channel O Music Video Awards.

Qubeka, a yoga enthusiast, produced and hosted her own health and fitness show called “Gym e’Kasi” for eTV and Open View HD. In 2018, she launched her Afro Yoga concept in Hong Kong and received a City University award for it.

Career

Qubeka first rose to prominence playing the character of Doobsie on the SABC 2 soapie “Muvhango” from 2006 to 2007, being the third actress to portray the role after Lindiwe Chibi and Khanyi Mbau. She had various other TV roles in the following years, including in the SABC drama series “For Sale” (2007), “The Lab” (2008), and the eTV soapie “Rhythm City” (2009). In 2010, she starred in the M-Net telenovela “The Wild,” as well as appearing on the shows “The Mating Game” and “Erfsondes.”

In 2014, she hosted her own fitness and lifestyle show on OpenView HD’s eKasi+ channel called “Gym e’Kasi,” about making the right food and exercise choices at home and in the neighborhood. She also appeared in the political thriller “Ihawu Lesizwe” for the SABC. In 2017, she won the Indie Spirit Award for Best Actress at the Boston International Film Festival for her role as Dora in “Dora’s Peace.” The film was also screened at the Orlando Film Festival and the Beijing International Film Festival.

In 2017, she was reported to be acting as Nina Zamdela in the television series “Isidingo.” In the same year, she was also reported to be releasing a new film titled “She is King.” In October 2017, she was announced as the hostess of a new South African program centered around school teachers.

In addition to acting, Qubeka is also a dancer and fitness advocate. She regularly uses social media to promote healthy lifestyles and body positivity. She currently acts in the drama series “Generations: The Legacy” as Oby Abudu, wife to Vuyo Dabula’s character, Kumkani Phakade.

Music 

In 2010, Qubeka wrote and released her first album titled “Gama Lahko” under her own music label Khabodacious Moves Music. The album consisted of 12 tracks and included the singles “Gama Lakho” and “Bring Your Body,” both of which received music videos produced by Qubeka. In 2013, she released a rap song titled “Wax It (Wax On Wax Off),” which went viral in 2018.

Personal life

Qubeka gave birth to her first child, a girl, in October 2018.

Summary Biography

Information

• Name: Khabonina Qubeka
• Birth Date: 22 January 1981
• Occupation: Actress, Television Presenter, Dancer, Choreographer, Businesswoman, Singer

Career Highlights

• Acting Awards:
  • Best Actress at the Boston International Film Festival Awards (2017)
  • Nominated for Best Actress at the Florida Film Festival (2017)
  • Nominated for Best Actress at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (2017) for her role as “Dora” in Dora’s Peace
• Television and Film:
  • As of 2017, plays the role of gangster Nina Zamdela on the SABC 3 soap opera Isidingo
  • Hosted BET show Fix My Love
  • Known for her role as Maxine on the South African award-winning show The Wild
  • First rose to prominence playing the character of Doobsie on the SABC 2 soapie Muvhango from 2006 to 2007
  • Other TV roles include SABC drama series For Sale (2007), The Lab (2008), and eTV soapie Rhythm City (2009)
  • Starred in M-Net telenovela The Wild, as well as The Mating Game and Erfsondes
  • Hosted her own fitness and lifestyle show Gym e’Kasi on OpenView HD’s eKasi+ channel (2014)
  • Appeared in the political thriller Ihawu Lesizwe for the SABC
  • Won Indie Spirit Award for Best Actress at the Boston International Film Festival for Dora’s Peace (2017)
  • Starred in the film She is King (2017)
  • Announced as hostess of a new South African program centered around school teachers (2017)
  • Acting in Generations the Legacy as Oby Abudu, wife to Kumkani Phakade (played by Vuyo Dabula)
• Dancing and Choreography:
  • Hosted and judged numerous television dance reality shows including SABC 1’s Dance Your Butt Off and eTV’s Step Up or Step Out
  • Choreographed The Channel O Music Video Awards
  • Produced and hosted health and fitness show Gym e’Kasi for eTV and Open View HD
  • Launched Afro Yoga concept in Hong Kong (2018) and received a City University award for professional creative excellence

Music Career:

• Released her first album Gama Lahko (2010) under her own music label Khabodacious Moves Music, featuring singles “Gama Lakho” and “Bring Your Body”
• Released a rap song titled “Wax It (Wax On Wax Off)” (2013) which went viral in 2018

Personal Life

• Gave birth to her first child, a girl, in October 2018