Nkoto Malebye

As a singer and an actor, Nkoto Malebye is talented beyond measure and shares it generously. Known in acting circles as Nkoto Malebye, this Mpumalanga born star started her training at the National school of the arts and continued her artistic path at Tshwane University of Technology, earning a degree in Musical Theatre. She excelled at an alarming speed, and by the time she reached her 3”” year she started her professional career in Malcolm Purkey’s “Aint Misbehaving” at the Market Theatre. This was the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with the theatre, starring in shows such as, “Grim tales”, “Brer Rabbit” and “Crazy Jazz”. In 2007 she led the cast in Deon Opperman’s “Soweto Story” based on the famous tale of Romeo and Juliet.

In that same year, she joined the Afro funk band, Kwani Experience, as the co-lead singer and went on to tour the world with them over the next 5 years. Performing in Bosnia, Belgium, Norway, Germany, Tanzania, Lesotho, France and Holland, she has shared stages with musical greats such as Pops Mohammed, Mahotella Queens, Youssour Ndour, Hugh Masekela, Thandiswa Mazwai, Vusi Mahlasela & more.

As kwani Experience have since gone thier seperate ways, Nkoto has been charting her path as a solo artist, with exhilarating live performances in Tshwane and Johannesburg, with her young, energetic band. Entrenching the theme of her upcoming debut solo album, Nkoto takes her audience on a journey of love through her music, incorporating traditional Pedi folklore and dance, sight that has to beseen and heard to be fully appreciated.

Nkoto is very passionate about uplifting the youth through theatre, and developed the Bon Bo Bongi youth programme that hosts regular workshops. She currently works at Remmogo as the artistic director, specialising in youth development and cultural exchange. She joined the cast of “Fat songs for my girlfriends,” directed by Napo Masheane, at the Market Theatre, which led to another performance at The Windybrow Theatre in “The Pen” and “Trapped”. “Trapped” featured at the Grahamstown National Arts festival, on the main stage, and continued gaining popularity before touring Austria. Spreading her wings further, she branched out into film and featured in Lodi Latsetela’s film “Best Friends Forever”. She is currently part of another Napo Masheane production “My Bum Is Genetic Deal With It.” Besides acting and singing, Nkoto also imparts her knowledge by as a drama lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology, teaching stagecraft and acting to vocal art students, particularly opera. She released her debut solo EP, “Let it Be Lerato,” in 2015.