Biography
Baby Cele (born March 22, 1972) is a 51-year-old South African actress best known for playing Gabisile on Uzalo. She has gained prominence for her role in My Perfect Family.
Uzalo fans love her extroverted personality and portrayal of the stubborn character. The actress has been in showbiz for many years and has appeared in many television series and shows.
Baby Cele  | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Quick Facts | |
| Full Name: | Baby Cele – Maloka |
| Born: | March 22, 1972 (age 51 year old) |
| Place of Birth: | Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Husband: | Thabo Maloka (m. 2017) |
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Years Active: | 1986-date |
| Known for: | Gabisile on Uzalo |
| Profiles: | |
| Net Worth: | R4 million |
Early Life
Multi-award-winning actress Baby Cele was born on March 22, 1972, in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Career
Baby Cele is a multifaceted actress with a superb portrayal of her roles and exceptional skills since her teenage days.
At sixteen, she appeared in the musical Sarafina after Mbongeni Ngema decided to cast her. The two met while Ngema was driving down the road next to her house.
Cele did not disappoint the producers and the viewers. She did her best and made the most out of it. Many acting opportunities keep coming and have earned her many recognitions.
Baby Cele is a veteran actress who gained prominence for playing Katlego Rathebe on Backstage. She appeared in the e.tv soap opera in season one and remained for eight years.
She appeared in season four of Home Affairs as Thandeka and Portia Nkosi in the SABC1 sitcom My Perfect Family.
Later in 2012, she bagged the starring role of Slindlile Dludlu in the Mzansi Magic telenovela Inkaba. In the Mzansi Magic soap opera Zabalaza, she played Gasta Cele.
Cele has appeared in many television and stage productions. She was a nominee for the Best Supporting Actress for her role in Not With My Gun in 1998.
Baby performed on Broadway for two years and went on tour in America as a cast member of the musical Sarafina! The talented actress performed in the stage play Cards to rave reviews.
In 2011, she was a cast member of the SABC1 mini-series Shreds & Dreams. For three years, the actress played Gasta Cele on the Mzansi Magic soap opera Zabalaza, from 2013-2016.
In 2016, she appeared as Colonel Sibongile “Bongi” Nene in Isidingo and made her first appearance on August 10.
Personal Life
Husband
Veteran actress Baby Cele has experienced the bitter parts of marital affairs. She doesn’t want to give up on love and would continue to find the perfect person.
Baby Cele posted her wedding pictures on social media, which triggered reactions from her followers. She and her husband, Thabo Maloka, seemed to be happy.
The actress was in a brief union with Mandla Mabuza. Earlier, she was in an abusive relationship. She had to leave when things began to get too much.
Children
Baby Cele is a proud mother of two children – Yolisa and Thando Cele. Yolisa is about eleven years older.
Net worth
Baby Cele has spent many years in showbiz. She has gained prominence and earned a decent fortune for starring in many films and television shows.
The veteran actress has an estimated net worth of R4 million as of September 2022.
Awards
| Year | Event | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Vita Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role | Won |
| 1996 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | All Africa Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer | Won |
| 2006 | South African Film and Television Awards | Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Soap | Nominated |
| 2013 | South African Film and Television Awards | Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a TV Comedy | Nominated |
| 2014 | South African Film and Television Awards | Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a TV Comedy | Nominated |
| 2020 | South African Film and Television Awards | Golden Horn Award for Best Actress | Pending |
Filmography
Cele is a familiar face on television. Viewers know her appearing in series like Home Affairs, Uzalo, Isidingo, Ring of Lies, and more.
The multiple-time award winner has appeared in many other television shows like:
Television shows
| Ga Re Dumele as Apostle Eve |
| Uzalo as Gabisile |
| Sokhulu & Partners as MaNkunzi |
| Saints and Sinners as Celiwe |
| Shreds and Dreams as Beauty |
| Ring of Lies as Ruth |
| Red Cake – Not the Cooking Show as Celebrity Guest |
| It’s for Life as Sthe’s Mom |
| Is’phindiselo as Thabile |
| My Perfect Family as Portia Nkosi |
| iNkaba as Slindlile Dludlu |
| Isidingo as Colonel Sibongile “Bongi” Nene |
| Is’phindiselo as Thabile |
| I Love South Africa as Contestant |
| Zabalaza as Gasta Cele |
| Intersexions as Nurse Nonkululeko |
| Home Affairs as Thandeka |
| Jozi Streets as Thandi |
| Blood & Water as Mrs Dlamini |
| Backstage as Katlego Rathebe |