Israel Makoe is a South African singer, actor, poet, and dancer who is quite famous for his role as GP in the drama series ‘Gaz’lam’ which aired on South African Tv from 2002-2005. He however became famous for his role as a vicious criminal in Yizo Yizo.
He is also a regular face in the music industry as he regards himself as one of the top Kwaito music artists in South Africa. Israel manages multiple talents as an entertainer who also showcases his dancing talents now and again and has wowed fans with his poetic artistry.
He is definitely one of the best entertainers South Africans have been blessed to have and he has proven to be worth every accolade.
Biography Of Israel Makoe
Israel Matseke Zulu formerly known as Israel Makoe Zulu was born in 1974 in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, South Africa, and is the second-born child in a family of 5.
He was raised by his mother who was a single mother and he never knew his father but luckily had his grandfather take up that role in his life. However, life wasn’t so easy for his family as they were poor and this inspired Israel to work hard to change the situation of his family. He grew up wanting to be famous and this he achieved as his story is that of a rise from grass to grace.
Here Are Some Facts To Know About Israel Makoe
1. Israel Makoe Was Involved In Criminal Activities
Israel was arrested so many times as a young teenager for hanging around the wrong crowd and criminal activities. From 1988 to 1994, he was involved in many atrocious activities and was arrested for the first time at the age of 14 for breaking and entering. He was then arrested again in 1996 and sentenced to 7 years but got out earlier on the basis of ‘good behavior’.
2. He Wrote And Directed His First Play In Prison
While serving his 1996 jail term, Israel formed a theatre group which he called ‘Abaqobi Drama Group’. With this group, he wrote and directed a play; his first play ever titled ‘Hayi Kabi Magenge’. This play was acted by fellow inmates. He is also the director for the Alexandra-based theatre group called ‘Ishoshovi’.
3. His Collaboration With Mandoza
In prison, Israel played the role of a gang leader and he interpreted the role perfectly that when he was released and auditioned for the SABC1 drama series ‘Yozi Yozi’ it was a piece of cake for him. This also afforded him the opportunity to work with Mandoza, recording a soundtrack for the Kwaito star.
4. He Was The First Kwaito Artist To Be Nominated For MKHM Awards
A huge Kwaito believer, Israel believes that although Amapiano is making waves, Kwaito is still very much alive and around. Taking to his Twitter in 2019, he announced that he is the first Kwaito artist to be ever nominated at the ‘Mzanzi Kwaito House Music Awards’. The award show was slated to hold on the 30th of November 2019.
5. Why Did Israel Makoe Change His Surname?
Israel Makoe was using his mother’s last name ‘Matseke’ until the 9th grade when she remarried and he had to adopt his stepfather’s last name ‘Makoe’. However, as a grown man, he decided to take up his father’s last name, ‘Zulu’ and so, he goes by the new name; Israel Matseke Zulu.
6. Israel Makoe Is A Mentor And Motivational Speaker
Israel believes his role as a gangster provided him with a platform to deliver messages to youth and kids. He mentors young people especially the youth and teenagers and shows them the ills of engaging in crimes drawing from his own childhood as a perfect example. He insists that although he portrayed himself as a gangster in most of his movies, he is not a gangster and his looks just make him a perfect fit for such roles.
Israel helps these kids with an alternative way of being engaged and this way has to do with channeling their time and energies to more productive activities.
7. Rumour About Israel’s Death
Israel has been declared dead a couple of times on social media by social media users and every time this happens, the news has to be refuted as it is never true. Rumors of his death first hit social media in 2018 and again in 2020 when people began to spread the news that he was killed by armed robbers.
Israel’s manager, Isaac Mangena refuted the news while speaking to correspondents of Daily Sun. He said that Israel is still very much alive and not dead.
8. Israel Makoe’s Love Interest Revealed?
A couple of years back Israel was seen in photos with dance queen, Wabantu in a nightclub. These photos sparked up relationship rumors and although the relationship seemed to have been put off as a simple ‘work relationship’ Wabantu revealed that she has always admired the actor and he, on the other hand, refers to the socialite as a ‘cool woman’.
The rumors were not confirmed but it is the closest to a relationship involving Israel that made headlines in South Africa.
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9. He Lost His Son
Israel Makoe had a son whom he lost to the cold hands of death. His son was accidentally shot and this incident threw him off balance. Although known to play the ‘tough guy’ role in movies, Israel couldn’t quite handle the news and situation as tough as many would expect but he is only human after all and he was made to mourn a son at a very tender age.
10. Israel Makoe’s Humanitarian Service
Due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus which hit the world towards the end of the year; 2019 and plunged countries into series of economic crises, a lot of people were left hungry and suffered greatly.
Israel and fellow actor Presley Chweneyagae teamed up with the youths and took relief material to the people in his hometown; Alexandra Township where they distributed food, face masks, and sanitizers to the people there.
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