She is an inter-continental acclaimed actress. She has won people both locally, and internationally. For her hard work and commitment to her craft of acting, Thabisile Zikhali (29) has landed a trophy for Best Star Actress of the Year in Southern and East Africa (SA) 2023 and Best Rising Star (SA) 2023 at the Shinning Stars Africa Awards.
A STAR IN THE MAKING
A force to be reckoned with, her dedication, hard work, and outgoing personality have propelled her to great heights in the entertainment industry. With a remarkable following of over 171,000 on Instagram, she has become a shining star in her own right. Beyond acting, Thabisile wears many hats -she's a model, a certified female farmer, a motivational speaker, a voice-over artist, an MC, an event host, a public speaker, and a philanthropist. Being nominated in an award ceremony at home gives her a sense of belonging. "I feel incredibly blessed to have been bestowed this award! It is a great milestone because my collection of accolades only consists of international honours however this recognition marks my first official nomination and award in my home country," she tells ZiMoja. "It's a great blessing to be acknowledged in my homeland."
A THESPIAN
One of her standout roles is in the popular local action thriller film Alleyway on Amazon. She has also graced various Mnet and SABC television shows, showcasing her craft as an actress. Her talent and dedication have led to numerous brand partnerships and roles on some of South Africa's most-watched television shows, including Rockville, uZalo, Durban Gen on e-TV The Blackdoor on e-TV Jua Jali on DSTV Tanzania Isitha on e-TV, and Magenta Coal on Netflix. Thabisile says she believes people voted for her because of her gift and talent which has been a constant source of inspiration to people. "They've seen the amount of hard work and dedication that I've put in to be where I am today," she says. "Winning this prestigious award has definitely been the greatest highlight of my career thus far. The continent is starting to witness the fruits of my hard work and talent," she says.
GIVING BACK
Thabisile started her entertainment journey in the dusty streets of Kwa-Mashu Durban (Kwa Mashu), Kwa-Zulu Natal. In 2014, she began her acting career in Mzansi Bioskop feature films. However, it was her entry into the widely watched Telenovela The Queen that truly marked her breakthrough. Since then, she has expanded her horizons, becoming a model, actress, and television presenter in the local entertainment scene. "Those who are familiar with my journey would know that I don't do anything without faith. I don't deviate from my moral compass and my values. I pride myself on giving back to the community. I'd love to implement initiatives and campaigns that empower and educate the girl child," she says. "Through my philanthropic work, I want to impact the lives of women from different walks of life because I strongly believe in establishing women leaders for a better future."
