Thando Thabethe’s rumored boyfriend is Robert Marawa. She is not yet married but was previously engaged to Frans Mashao, a media strategist.
In March 2018, the esteemed media personality had an extravagant engagement party, and she almost got married to her longtime boyfriend, Frans Mashao, after he popped the question in July of the previous year. The engagement, however, was called off, and Thando Thabethe has moved on to date prominent people in the entertainment sphere, including the former The River actor Lunga Shabalala.
Is Thando Thabethe Married?
Thando Thabethe does not have a husband, but she almost got married to Frans Mashao in the year 2018. The reality TV star, who was counting down to saying ‘I Do’ with her heartthrob, had her bridal shower in December 2017. The flowery-themed party was graced by her close friends, including Nontombi Kuzwayo and Kgomotso Mokgabudi, whom she asked to be her bridesmaids, and they accepted.
She gave out a special proposal package to the girls in the form of a gift basket that came with a mango-flavored bottle of Ciroc Vodka. Thando, who is affectionately called Thabooty, took to Instagram to share pictures of her colorful bridal shower which was also attended by her fianceé, unlike other bridal showers.
Later in March 2018, the couple had a lavish extravagant engagement party at the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff in Johannesburg. The event was also attended by their family and friends, and the couple gave emotional speeches at the engagement celebration, gushing about each other. Surprisingly, three months after the party, it was reported that Thando and Mashao have called it quits, and the actress later confirmed the rumor.
Did Thando Thabethe and Frans Mashao break up https://t.co/oBpqapUGM5 pic.twitter.com/MqLLmGtqfG
— ZAlebs (@Zalebs) June 21, 2018
Why Did Thando Thabethe Call off Her Engagement to Frans Mashao?
While their fans were counting down to their wedding, Thando Thabethe and Frans Mashao gave them a heavy blow with the news of their failed engagement. Thabooty first sparked the rumor as she was spotted without her engagement ring. Eventually, she confirmed that she had called off her engagement but went on to say that she doesn’t feel the need to explain to anyone why she decided to leave her relationship.
She admitted that the breakup was painful but maintained that she won’t be giving up on love. Before Thando confirmed her failed engagement, it was already speculated that she called it quits with Frans Mashao because he cheated on her. It was alleged that her friends had warned her about her man’s cheating ways, but she gave deaf ears until she caught him by herself.
The rumor, however, is not yet verified as the former couple have refused to open up on what actually led to their breakup. Thando Thabethe and Frans Mashao first got engaged in July 2017 when they went on vacation to Ibiza, Spain. In the heat of the moment, the media strategist proposed to his girlfriend of four years without a ring, and she said yes. He later got a ring, and they had a formal engagement.
Who Is Thando Thabethe’s Boyfriend?
In late May 2023, seasoned broadcaster Robert Marawa was reported to be Thando Thabethe’s boyfriend. The dating rumor was ignited by a picture of the two looking lovey-dovey, and they seemed to be on a date. Prior to the photo going viral, the two media personalities were said to be spending quality time together and had gone on dinner dates with their friends.
In the viral pix, Thando Thabethe and her rumored boyfriend were seen holding hands on the table and looked very much like a couple, smiling gleefully. Despite the evidence that something is up between the two, Robert Marawa, when quizzed about being in a romantic relationship with his colleague, Thando, said that he didn’t understand what people were talking about.
The legendary broadcaster joined Radio 749 in January 2023, and Thando Thabethe also works there as a presenter. It’s uncertain when they started dating, but their working relationship definitely played a role in their alleged blossoming romantic affair.
A Look At Thando Thabethe’s Past Relationships
After her breakup with Frans Mashao, Thando Thabethe stayed true to her word and didn’t give up on love. Since 2018, she has dated famous personalities and has had a fair share of breakups. Here are more details about her past love affairs.
Thando Thabethe’s and Lunga Shabalala’s On-and-off Relationship
Thabooty and Lunga Shabalala made their relationship official in the year 2019. They kept it secret for some time before deciding to start posting each other on social media. They attended functions together, looked cozy, and even went on romantic vacations. They weren’t shy of letting their fans know that they had been bitten by the love bug.
The beautiful couple, however, ended their relationship in early 2020 and hence, stopped posting about each other on social media. While the How to Ruin A Christmas star moved on with another partner shortly after the separation, it wasn’t long before she got back with Lunga Shabalala in late 2020. However, they kept their reunion under wraps and eventually went public with the relationship once again.
LOL Thando Thabethe and Lunga Shabalala "bumped into each other" at #SomhaleWhiteWedding last week. https://t.co/fKpt3tO6Um pic.twitter.com/wpC8MymgY6
— ZAlebs (@Zalebs) February 4, 2020
In August 2021, Thando Thabethe proclaimed her love for the hunk model and actor in a post in which she captioned, ‘I love you Lunga Shabalala’. On the other hand, the award-winning actor also posted a picture of himself and Thando on a getaway with the caption, ‘My favorite person,’ accompanied by a heart emoji. Despite looking happy together, the duo had a low-key split in October 2022.
Then in June 2023, Thando Thabethe shocked Mzansi when she obtained an interim protection order against her ex-boyfriend, Lunga Shabalala, at the Randburg Magistrates Court. She claimed that her relationship with the actor was obsessive, and after the breakup, he had been stalking and harassing her. She further asserted that Shabalala broke into her home and also threatened to compromise her TV show. Hence, she had to obtain an interim protection order against him.
Thando and Jaji Abolore
Following her separation from Lunga Shabalala in early 2020, Jaji Abolore – the owner of Booth Nightclub in Sandton, became Thando Thabethe’s new boyfriend. The Nigerian businessman shared on IG that he spent the lockdown with the radio presenter. And the two shared cozy pictures of themselves on their individual social media accounts.
Though their relationship looked somewhat serious, as they had a special Valentine’s Day date as a couple, the two later went their separate ways. Thabooty allegedly dumped the nightclub owner to give Lunga a second chance in late 2020.