Thando Thabethe is a famous actress, TV presenter, MC, radio host and deejay.
She is also known for her amazing body, which earned her the nickname Thabooty.
The multi-talented star is also a hard worker. Her day usually starts at 5am and ends at 11pm.
She had a radio show every afternoon, The Thabooty Drive, which she ran with Msizi James. The presenters of the show were always so full of energy and they were seen as the dynamic duo. Sadly, the public recently learnt that Thando Thabethe has tendered in her resignation letter and she has revealed why she really opted to leave the station.
While that may be sad news for some, on the other hand, Thando has found new love again. Sis' wastes no time when it comes to matters of the heart, especially her heart. Seems like she has moved on from Lunga Shabalala.
Keep reading to find out what happened.
Thando’s journey to stardom has not been without its challenges.
Here’s a look at Thando Thabethe’s biography.
Thando Thabethe 5FM Exit
Media personality Thando Thabethe has revealed that she has officially put in her effective resignation with 5FM after being with the station for five years.
According to Channel24, whom she gave an exclusive, she had this to say,
"We had to make a very difficult decision, something we've had to ponder over for many, many months. Basically, I've tendered my resignation at 5FM. And the idea is to focus on the things that I want to do," she said told the publication.
However, this left many wondering why Thando really left the station so abruptly. Finally she has come out to clear the air on the real reason why she left.
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Thando narrates that after the yearly shuffle at the station, the Thabooty show had been renewed for another year, that is when she tried to negotiate for a raise and 2 weeks leave to shoot her TV drama Housekeepers.
Apparently from the thread that was her mistake. To top it all off, she was even the last person to know of the developments taking place.
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Wow! Talk about being kept in the dark.
Thando Thabethe New Man
It all started when she penned a sweet tweet about how lucky she is, to get a good man in her life. She further wished that all women around the world can get a good man like her's.
With this, tweeps quickly deciphered that she is referring to a certain Zulu man that goes by the name Lunga Shabalala. Fast forward, a month later, it seems sis' is on a brand new lane with a new man.
The hot but discreet romance between media personalities, Lunga Shabalala and Thando Thabethe is officially over. The latter, already has a new Bae, known as Jaji Albortore.
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Thando sure doesn't waste any time on unfulfilling relationships - if it ain't working, Sis quickly steps out and moves on!
Thando Thabethe Age
Thando’s date of birth is June 18, 1990. She turned 29 years old in 2019. Thando celebrated her birthday with an intimate dinner. Khanya Mkganisa and Lunga Shabalala were a few of the A-list stars who attended the dinner party.
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Thando Thabethe Family
Thando Thabethe grew up in Johannesburg with her family. She has two siblings, Sanele and Sibusiso Thabethe. Her brother Sibusiso died in in 2015. He was shot dead during a robbery. Thando Thabethe also lost her father when she was 13 years old. He committed suicide. She has paid tribute to both her father and brother on social media.
“What people don’t understand is that once you have seen your father commit suicide, and your brother’s bloody dead body...you become UNSHAKEN!!! I am UNSHAKEN AND EVERYDAY, EVERYDAY I CHOOSE HAPPINESS!!!” she wrote on Twitter in 2018.
Thando Thabethe with her sister and father/Instagram
Thando Thabethe and her brother/ Instagram
Thando Thabethe’s mother has been by her side throughout her family ordeals. She has described her mother as her pillar of strength. Thando surprised her mom with a new Mercedes Benz in 2017.
“Best thing I've ever done...love u mom,” she wrote on Twitter.
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Thando Thabethe Education
Thando Thabethe completed her high school education at Mondeor High School. She returned to the school in 2018 to give an inspiring speech to Grade 12 pupils ahead of their final matric exams.
“I remember my Valedictory like it was yesterday, and how me speaking at this event one day would be one of my milestones. We all have a story to tell, we all could potentially shape a life through it... and if I moved just ONE matriculant, IT IS WELL,” she wrote on Instagram.
After completing her secondary school education, Thando studied at the University of Johannesburg. She graduated with a Bcom Accounting degree in 2011.
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Thando Thabethe Career
Thando Thabethe began her journey to stardom at the age of 13. She took part in theatre productions as a teenager before bagging her first TV role when she was 14.
Thando got her big break in 2010 when she was cast in the SABC1 sitcom My Perfect Family. She played a character named Thando Nkosi. Thando acted alongside veterans such as Lillian Dube and Baby Cele.
Thando has since starred on Generations: The Legacy, Housekeepers, Intersexions, Kowethu, Mzansi Love and Single Guyz.
Thando has also worked as a TV presenter. She co-hosted Club 808 in 2013. She also had her own talk show on TLC called, Thando Bares All.
The actress has featured on the big screen. She starred in Mrs Right Guy with Dineo Moeketsi. She also played the lead role in 2019 rom-com, Love Lives Here.
Thando has been roped in to present at awards shows such as the SAFTAs and SAMAs. She also hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) red carpet.
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Thando is also a popular radio presenter. She is the host of 5FM’s Thabooty Drive show. Thando has worked at the station since 2014.
“Every day is my best moment on air. It’s what radio is about and moments that can’t be rehearsed or repeated, this can also become your "worst" moments on air. But again, that’s the beauty of radio,” she said on the station’s website.
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Before joining 5FM, Thando was a regular on UJFM – a community radio station based at the University of Johannesburg. She was then headhunted by YFM.
Thando is also a successful MC and deejay.
She added businesswoman to her resume in 2017 when she launched Thabooty's Underwear & Shapewear. The line has been doing well ever since.
In 2019, Thando made it onto Forbes Africa’s ‘30 Under 30’ list.
“Black child, your dreams are valid!!! Thank you @forbesafrica for recognizing my work and contribution in my field of work. I am a Forbes 30 under 30 graduate and I am on the cover of Forbes Magazine,” she wrote on Instagram.
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Thando Thabethe Boyfriend
While Thando Thabethe had a few boyfriends in the past, she has had one high-profile romance. The actress was engaged to businessman Frans Mashao in 2017. The couple met in 2013 while attending a media event. Frans made fun of her toes and Thando thought he was funny. They exchanged number and started dating soon after. Sadly, the couple called it quits in 2018 before they could walk down the aisle. Thando opened up about her broken engagement during an interview with Azania Mosaka on Real Talk.
"I don't think I need to go into the nitty gritty's, no... I never denied that we are not engaged anymore, I don't think I need to tell people the reasons behind why it ended," she said.
Thando Thabethe and Frans Mashao at their engagement party in 2018.
Thando Thabethe Lunga Shabalala
Thando Thabethe was linked to The River actor Lunga Shabalala in 2019. They were first spotted together at the Vodacom Durban July. They were careful not to post any pictures together. Thando has since shared pictures of Lunga on Instagram but has refused to confirm or deny the relationship. The lovers have also gone on vacation together. But there is one person who is not impressed with the relationship – her boyfriend’s helper.
“I think my boyfriends helper hates me... she makes sure I can’t find anything that belongs to me,” she tweeted in July 2019.
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Thando Thabethe and Lunga Tshabalala
Thando Thabethe Skin Bleaching
Thando Thabethe has had to defend herself against skin bleaching for years. The star is naturally light in complexion, but many people think she uses bleaching creams to make herself a “yellow bone”. Thando has fiercely denied the claims and even shared a picture of herself as a baby in 2015 to prove she has always had a fair complexion.
“I have NEVER bleached stop speaking with so much conviction about things you know not of!!” she wrote on Twitter in October 2019.
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Thando Thabethe Dresses
Thando Thabethe’s amazing style has earned a spot on many best-dressed lists. The 5FM presenter is known for her sexy red-carpet dresses. Here’s a look at a few of her best looks.
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Thando Thabethe Hairstyles
Thando Thabethe’s hairstyles are a favourite with many women. From braids to blue hair, Thando has tried it all.
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Thando Thabethe Car
Thando Thabethe bought herself a white Range Rover Evoque in 2015. Thando described her new ride as her dream car. The Evoque retailed for around R700 000 at the time. She previously owned a red Mini Cooper Coupé.
Thando Thabethe poses for a picture with the Range Rover she bought in 2015.
Thando Thabethe House
Thando Thabethe has revealed very little details about her house but she has shared information about another home she bought. The actress revealed in October 2018 that she bought her mother a house with two ensuite bathrooms.
“My mother wanted a house with an ensuite toilet I got her TWO!!! And this morning I had a meeting with an architect coz I want a walk in closet. #YesBlackGirlYouCan‼️‼️‼️‼️ I visualized, I prayed and I worked!!!” she wrote on Twitter.
