Shalate Sekhabi (Real Name: Kgabang Sekhabi, born July 27th, 2000; Age: 24 years old) is an actress, model, and singer-songwriter best known for playing Shoki in House of Zwide and Millicent in The River.
At the age of eleven, Shalate began her career as a model. She later transitioned into an actress at the age of fourteen, making her debut with a short film titled, A Cup of Sugar. Vying to become a force to reckon with in the SA entertainment industry, the youngster ventured into music in 2020. Thus far, she has released two singles titled ‘Lerato’ and ‘Trust.’
Shalate Sekhabi’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Kgabang Sekhabi
- Nickname: Shalate Sekhabi
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: July 27th, 2000
- Shalate Sekhabi’s Age: 24 years old
- Place of Birth: Mahikeng, South Africa
- Ethnicity: Black
- Nationality: South African
- Education: Crawford College and University of Witwatersrand
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christian
- Marital Status: Single
- Shalate Sekhabi’s Parents: Aubrey Sekhabi (Father) and Nontuthuzelo Sekhabi (Mother)
- Shalate Sekhabi’s Height in Inches: 4 feet 11 inches
- Shalate Sekhabi’s Height in Centimetres: 150 cm
- Shalate Sekhabi’s Net worth: R1 million+
- Famous for: House of Zwide, The River
- Shalate Sekhabi’s Instagram: @shalatesekhabi
- Twitter: @ShalateSekhabi
- Facebook: @ShalateSekhabi
What is Shoki from House of Zwide’s Real Name?
Shalate Sekhabi (Shoki from House of Zwide) was born Kgabang Sekhabi. Over the years, she has been well identified by her professional name, Shalate Sekhabi, which she adopted when she kicked off her career during her childhood years. By landing a lead role in the e.tv hit series, House of Zwide, in July 2021, the actress has now become known by her fans as Shoki from House of Zwide.
How Old Is Shoki from House of Zwide in Real Life?
Shoki from House of Zwide is 24 years old. She was born on July 27th, 2000, in Mahikeng, the capital city of the North West Province of South Africa. Still in her early 20’s, Shalate has made a name for herself in Mzansi as an actress and singer-songwriter. This clearly shows that the sky is just her starting point. The River actress is the daughter of Aubrey Sekhabi and Nontuthuzelo Sekhabi. There’s a vague detail regarding Shalate Sekhabi’s siblings, if any.
Shalate Sekhabi’s Father is a Renowned Director and Playwright
Aubrey Sekhabi, a multi-award-winning playwright, director, and administrator, is the father of Shalate Sekhabi (Shoki). He was born in 1970, and at the age of 24, he emerged as the Artistic Director of North West Arts Drama Company. Later in 2002, he was appointed the Artistic Director and Deputy CEO of the State Theatre in Pretoria. He graduated from the University of Witwatersrand School of Dramatic Arts and has been active in the SA film industry since the 1980s.
Shalate’s dad serves as the co-founder and president of GBR Productions (Pty) Ltd. He has written and directed numerous plays, TV series, and movies in the past years. His play, Silent Voice, was nominated for five Naledi Awards in 2014 and received a five-star accolade from the British Theatre Guide after it was performed at the Edinburgh Assembly Fringe Festival in 2014.
Sekhabi won Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Drama in 1998 and 2011. He won Naledi Award for directing the play Rivonia Trial. Some of the several productions Aubrey Sekhabi has been credited with as a writer or director include the following:
- Save the People (1985)
- Strong Hold (1990)
- Silent Voice 1 (1992)
- Mika (1994)
- On My Birthday (1995)
- Not With My Gun (1997)
- Sizwe Bansi is Dead (2006)
- Kalushi – The Story of Solomon Mahlangu (2010)
- Rivonia Trial (2010)
What Did Shalate Sekhabi Study?
Shoki from House of Zwide is an alumna of the University of the Witswatersrand, her father’s alma mater. She graduated from the university with a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Television. Before that, she obtained her Matric certificate from Crawford College situated in Pretoria in 2018. Then in the following year, she enrolled in the University of Witwatersrand.
Having honed her skills at the prestigious university, Shalate Sekhabi’s acting skills have been acclaimed by many since she took to the center stage. And there’s no denying that it played a pivotal role in her sudden rise to fame.
The Up-and-Coming Actress Leaped into Acting in 2014
Being so passionate about arts and drama, Sekhabi decided to nudge her passion in the right direction by joining her school drama club when she was just eight years old. She eventually deviated from track to enter modeling.
She joined Steele Models at the age of eleven years, and when she was 14, she retraced her steps back to acting. The Mahikeng-born actress had her first acting role in a short movie, A Cup of Sugar, directed by Xolile Tshabalala.
In the same time frame, she featured in another short movie, Making a Killing, directed by Justine Head. She subsequently made her TV debut with the 1Magic drama series, The River, in January 2020. Shalate Sekhabi played the recurring role of Millicent in the third season of the soap opera.
Shoki is One of House of Zwide’s Lead Characters
Having sprung to the limelight due to her depictions in the popular soapie, The River, Shalate Sekhabi bagged a main role in the e.tv hit series, House of Zwide, starring alongside Vusi Kunene, Winnie Ntshaba, and Jeffrey Sekele.
She portrays the character of Bathong Shoki, Ona Molapo’s (Nefisa Mkhabela) best friend who aspires to be a model in the soap opera, and she is also in a romantic relationship with Nkosi (Wanda Zuma) – the son of the owner and founder of House of Zwide, Funani Zwide.
Shalate’s performances thus far in House of Zwide have been acclaimed greatly. Hopefully, she will continue to win the hearts of the viewers with her unequivocal talents in the forthcoming seasons of the e.tv original production, which was renewed for a second season in early July 2022.
List of Shalate Sekhabi’s Filmography
- A Cup of Sugar (2015)
- Making a Killing (2015)
- The River (2020)
- House of Zwide (2021-present)
Music Career Endeavours
Kgabang Sekhabi first displayed her singing talent at age eight when she joined her school choir. Later in 2020, she launched her music career by dropping a single titled ‘Lerato.’ In November 2021, she announced to her fans on Instagram about her forthcoming single ‘Trust’ and its anticipated release date. The song, which became Shalate Sekhabi’s second single, was released on December 3rd, 2021, and produced by Feziekk Production.
List of Shalate Sekhabi’s Songs
- Lerato (2020)
- Trust (2021)
Who Is Shoki from House of Zwide Dating?
Following her romantic affair with Nkosi (Wanda Zuma) in House of Zwide and the undeniable on-screen chemistry between the two, there have been rumors about Shalate and Wanda dating in real life.
The co-stars, however, are said to be only dating in the TV series and not in real life. Since gaining prominence in the entertainment industry, Shoki from House of Zwide has not been linked to any romantic partner. As a result, the 24 years old actress is believed to be single.
