Kwaito Star Kabelo “Bouga Luv” Mabalane marks 23 years of being clean and sober.
Bulelwa Hoala

South African Kwaito musician and pastor Kabelo “Bouga Luv” Mabalane is celebrating 23 years of being clean and sober.
In a social media post on Monday evening, Kabelo wrote, “We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony!”
His post was met with a flood of supportive messages from his followers and fans who cheered him on with loving emojis.
Presenter and broadcasting personality Zizo Beda commented:
“Glory to Jesus Christ!!! Partnership with Him really does change things! Thank you for sharing your journey Ps @kabelomabalane 🌸 We celebrate you and with you, Sir!”
Singer Lee-Ann Dlamini added: “Congratulations Ps Kabelo! God is good!”
Meanwhile, Kabelo’s wife, former Idols contestant and actress Gail Mabalane, shared a cute boomerang of their celebratory dinner with their two children, Zoe and Khumo Mabalane, captioning it, “Cheers to you @kabelomabalane 23 years #CleanAndSober.”

Kabelo has openly shared his journey of overcoming drug addiction.
In his memoir, I Ran For My Life, he revealed that his struggles began at the peak of his music career as part of the Kwaito group TKZee, alongside Zwai Bala and the late Tokollo “Magesh” Tshabalala.
He started with alcohol and marijuana, eventually escalating to bingeing on cocaine, which almost cost him his life. In the early 2000s, he checked himself into rehab, marking the beginning of his recovery journey.
In June 2025, Kabelo completed his 13th Comrades Marathon, crediting running as a key factor in transforming his life and adopting healthier lifestyle choices.
READ NEXT: World Drug Day: The fight against addiction continues


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