Bio
Kedebone Mkhabela (often incorrectly credited as Kedibone Mkhabela) is a South African television and radio personality, fashion designer, dancer and singer best known as a continuity presenter on SABC1 (2002-2006) and as the co-host of the SABC1 youth talk show Mzansi Insider.
Kede was born and bred in Pienaar, Mpumalanga in the eighties. She attended a number of schools in the country (Yedwa Primary, Mbokodo Higher Primary, Esikhisini Combined, Soulsridge High, Central High and EJ Singwane Senior Secondary School) and matriculated in 1998 at the age of 18.
Growing up in a place that didn't have many opportunities (Nelspruit) she always had dreams of making big it in the entertainment industry. Often she would lock herself in her room, look in the half-broken mirror on the wall, imagine she was Connie Ferguson (one of her favourite actresses) and start acting out scenes.
After she matriculated in 1998 she headed to Johannesburg to chase her dream of being a star. Though she had a brother who helped her and her sister out when times were tough, she knew she had to work hard for her success, so she started off working as a waitress at a number of restaurants in and around Jozi.
In 2000 she and her sister started working as freelance dancers for some of South Africa's well known performing artists such Thembi Seete, Jeff Malukele, Choppa, Ishmael, Mandoza and Robby Malinga. She also appeared in a number of music videos eg. Thembi Seete (Sure Ntombazana), Miriam Makeba (Phathaphata 2000), Robby Malinga, Theo Kgosinkwe, Sizwe Zako and DJ Sbu, after being discovered at a club called Tandoor in Yeoville.
In 2002 she landed a job on SABC1 as a siSwati continuity presenter where she worked for four years. Her job included doing research, script translating, script writing and the actual presenting live on air.
This was after she was crowned 1st Princess in the first ever Miss City Press beauty pageant in 2002. Through these positions she got exposed to working with orphanages and various other community projects and the Miss City Press exposure led her to continue working as a part time model for Jet, Pep and others.
She has also had the opportunity to work on PSL TV as a continuity presenter and script writer as well as for SABC News International.
Kede is also a member of an-all-girl-group called TYTE which she formed with her sister in 2000, with the aim of promoting the siSwati language. TYTE released an album (Tindzaba) and a video.
The year 2006 saw Mkhabela branching into acting. She played the role of Katlego Lecheko (Doobsie's lawyer) on SABC2's soap opera Muvhango for six months. This was after she played Tshidi in Mponeng and had a special appearance in Mzansi, an SABC1 drama series.
She is also a professional voice over artist and has done many radio ads. She also worked with Ligwalagwala FM as one of their official VO artists for their new on air feel.
She worked on Ligwalagwala FM for two years as an on air presenter, co-hosting the midday show with the late Wiseman Matsebula and later with Sweetmike, after she started off a as a roving reporter on Mzansi Breakfast and Afternoon Drive shows, informing listeners on the latest in trends fashion, music, television and arts and culture fields.
She stayed with the station until 2012, when she replaced Minenhle Dlamini as a co-host of Mzansi Insider, when the show changed format from a magazine show to a talk show.
She also appeared on iLifestyle, a techno show on SABC1.
In addition, she MCs at functions (corporate, music festival, weddings), is a corporate video producer and presenter, translator, motivational speaker, singer, dancer and an actress.
Tesive Investments (now Tesive Group) is a company that was established by Mkhabela in 2004 which focuses on Events, Project and Talent Management, Music and TV Production, Marketing and PR, Talent Scouting, Development and Training.
Tesive Group has successfully organised charity events like Christmas parties for orphans, feeding schemes for street children and the annual Sexy Sleepwear Summer Fundraiser, among others.
Kede started organising local beauty pageants in 2009, through which she discovered many talents, including the former Miss Mpumalanga Mpumi Lephoko, and still continues to.
Kedebone was part of the marketing and promotions team under an internship that worked on some of SABC1's/SABC1 sponsored events (South African Music Awards, Duku Duku Awards, Stars Of Mzansi Awards, Programme Launches, SABC1 Golf Days, SABC1 Tours, Miss SA/SA Teen and Miss Confidence SA.)
Kede has extensive experience in both the entertainment industry as well as project management, having honed her skills while working for SABC1 which she has over the years put to good use.
Kede is very passionate about her country and she hopes that through her work she will continue to make a difference in her people's lives and she will be able to keep giving back to the community that has supported and keeps supporting her.
Currently she co-hosts Sunday Chillaz on SABC1 and is the host of a nation-building show called Thula Sizwe. She is also the founder of a beauty pageant called Gauteng Youth Ambassador.
Incorrect Name
She is often incorrectly credited as Kedibone Mkhabela - the correct spelling is Kedebone Mkhabela, as verified by her in a tweet.