Thabo Malema, born on 26 December 1985, is a 38-year-old South African actor and farmer best known for playing a starring role as Khaya, in the SABC1 sitcom Single Guys. He appeared on various TV series, international films and commercials; as Michael Nyathi who drives around town with the talking car in a chicken TV advert.
Biography Profile
Full Name: Thabo Gabriel Malema
Date of birth: 26 December 1985
Age: 38 years old
Birth place: Mabopane, Gauteng
Occupation: Actor and Farmer
Known as: Michael Nyathi or Tshenolo on Muvhango
Nationality: South African
Personal details
Thabo Gabriel Malema was born on 26 December 1985. He was born in the dusty streets of Mabopane, Gauteng in South Africa. Growing up Thabo wanted to become a farmer like his father but his passion for acting took over that dream though he still juggles both balls.
He wanted to study Electrical Engineering but ended up not applying for it as he had chosen his passion for arts. Thabo keeps his personal life as private as possible so his wife and children are not known to the public.
Thabo Malema’s education
He attended Maryvale college for AFDA degree. He later graduated from Maryvale with a BA in live performances. The Single Guys SABC1 star furthered his studies at Unisa where he did communication and language degree.
He is a farmer
Malema is also a farmer but with no formal training. So, Thabo became a recognized farmer in 2007. He has a farm in Brandbach, Mpumalanga, where he grows various crops, livestock, and poultry. The produce from the farm, he says, is sold to the community at a subsidized price to keep poverty at bay. His desire for farming was influenced by his father way before he begins his acting career.
Acting career of Thabo
The Mabopane born star has been on the rise in the entertaining industry ever since he began acting in 2006. He appeared on various TV series such as Scandal as Buhang, Gold diggers, The Estate, Lithapo and The River. The star is going to appear on Muvhango as Tshenolo. In his third year while studying towards his degree in Performing Arts, he landed a role in a Hollywood film shooting in South Africa, Primeval Kill. He also appeared in international films such as The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, played Young Gisani in the award-winning feature White Lion (2010) and had a role in Warner Bros’ prehistoric epic 10,000 BC. ¹
Thabo Malema acted in television commercials including Chicken Licken television advertisement where he appeared as Michael Nyathi. Nyathi takes on American movie star, Michael Knight, as he tries to win back his precious Kitt. But Michael Nyathi maintains that Kitt was not stolen and has decided to move to a better life in Mzansi. He is also a SAFTA Nominee.
The following are South African local Tv series where Thabo was appeared:
- Lithapo- season 1
- Gold Diggers- season 1and 2
- The Lab – season2
- Strike back – season 2
- The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency – season 1
- The professionals Single Guys – season 1
- The river- season 1and 2
- Room 9- season 1
- Easy Money – season 1
- Jacob’s Cross – season 5
- Gauteng maboneng- season 2
- Scandal as Buhang
- The Estate
- Muvhango
Movies where Thabo Malema appeared:
- Table manners- 2018
- Kalushi – 2016
- A million colours- 2011
