Warona Masego Setshwaelo (born 1976 or 1977) is a Botswana actress and video editor.

Warona Setshwaelo
Born1976 or 1977 (age 47–48)
Gaborone, Botswana
Alma materVirginia Tech
Occupation(s)Actress, video editor
Years active2003–present
Relatives1

Biography

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Setshwaelo was born in Gaborone, Botswana and was raised in Ethiopia, Swaziland, South Africa, and Botswana.[1] Her mother is a psychologist, her father is the politician Ephraim Setshwaelo, and she has a sister, Marang.[2][3] She developed an interest in activism from a young age. Setshwaelo moved to the United States to study at Virginia Tech, graduating with a degree in Theater Arts. She worked as a video editor and radio host. Setshwaelo did an acting tour with National Players of Olney, Maryland, before deciding to move back to Botswana.[1] She was a housemate in the first season of Big Brother Africa in 2003. Setshwaelo was one of the last housemates to be evicted and she became a celebrity in her home country.[4]

In 2007, Setshwaelo moved to Montreal to further her acting career.[1] She performed in a number of plays in Montreal, including Nutmeg Princess and New Canadian Kid. She had a small role in the 2013 film White House Down. In January and February 2015, Setshwaelo starred in the medical drama The Waiting Room at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto.[5] In October 2015, she played Odette in the play State of Denial.[6] Setshwaelo played a trauma counselor in a 2016 episode of Quantico.[7] She had a role in the 2018 film On the Basis of Sex.[1] Setshwaelo played Karen, the mother of ex-police officer Lila Hines in the 2019 play Bang Bang.[8]

Her name, Warona, means "ours." In addition to acting, she enjoys cooking and reading.[9] She lives with her partner, Mike Payette, and daughter Khaya.[1]

Filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "The rising star of Warona Setshwaelo – from Botswana to Hollywood". Your Botswana. 5 January 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  2. ^ "The sensational Setshwaelo sisters". TSHWAlebs. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  3. ^ Gaotlhobogwe, Monkagedi (7 August 2007). "Mother won't watch son in Big Brother Africa". Mmegi. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  4. ^ Mooketsi, Lekopanye (22 November 2004). "Botswana: Warona On Life After BBA". Mmegi. AllAfrica. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  5. ^ Jetelina, Margaret (9 January 2015). "Botswana-born Warona Setshwaelo stars in Tarragon Theatre's Waiting Room". Canadian Immigrant. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  6. ^ Burke, Jim (9 October 2015). "Review: State of Denial and Province reveal horrors past and those yet to come". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Warona Setshwaelo Makes A Big Acting Mark In A US Television Series!". Botswana Youth. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  8. ^ Wilson, Jill (4 October 2019). "Laughs pulled out of troubling situation in provocative comedic drama". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  9. ^ "Introducing the BBA housemates". News24. 25 May 2003. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
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