Getting to know Shoki Sebotsane, the Pride of Tzaneen

Reshoketswe “Shoki” Sebotsane (previously credited as Portia Mmola) is a South African actress, born on the 10th of August 1977 in Tzaneen (Bolobedu).

Shoki is a casting director and fashion designer best known for her role as Grace Lerothodi in the SABC1 mini-series Death of a Queen, which aired as part of the channel’s “Shakespeare in Mzansi” strand from July to August, 2008.

She also played the role of Tumi in the SABC2 soapie Muvhango and had a starring role in an episode of the e.tv drama series eKasi: Our Stories, in 2012.




Other television series she has acted in include Kgatelopele, Moshwela Tharing, Old Grand Hotel, The Burning Issue, Generations, Body Kids, Umfolozi Street, Muvhango, Skeem Saam and Soul City.

She also worked as a translator, language advisor, dubbing producer and casting director on the children’s television series Takalani Sesame. In addition, she was a casting director for the e.tv soapie Rhythm City.

Shoki has also done extensive work in theatre, appearing in productions such as Ancient Stars at the Giant Theatre, Space Odyssey at the Grahamstown Festival, The Pen at The Market Theatre and Gogo’s Groove at the Aardklop Festival.




Originally from Tzaneen, Shoki currently resides in Johannesburg. She matriculated from Prudens Secondary in 1994 and graduated from the Tampere University of Technology in 2000.

She was married to actor Sello Sebotsane. They have a daughter, Oratile Kutlwano Sebotsane.