Abdul Khoza: From soldier to storyteller

From soldier to storyteller, he’s lived many lives. But his next act is not about fame, it’s about legacy,

From soldier to onscreen icon, Abdul Khoza‘s story is one of constant change — a path shaped by discipline, resilience and the unwavering pursuit of purpose.

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Born and raised in KwaMashu, KZN, Abdul grew up in a home where discipline was not just something that was taught, it was truly valued. His father, Stanley Khoza, is the founder of the Amandla Esizwe Karate Dojo in KwaMashu, a free club he uses to empower the youth in his community.

“He didn’t like the idea of seeing kids on the streets. He literally took it upon himself and went knocking door to door and telling the parents that he’d love to take the kids for karate,” Abdul says.

“If there’s one person in my life that I can say I look up to and I’ve learned so much from, it is my father. I’ve learned patience, discipline, humility, a lot of things from him… Not to mention, he has a great sense of humour!”

Built for the spotlight

Before Abdul stepped in front of a camera, his life was defined by service. His early career began in the South African Defence Force, where he served for four years before switching gears and signing up to be a firefighter at eThekwini Fire Department.

Then, in 2011, everything changed. On a whim, he decided to enter the second season of SABC1’s reality competition show, Class Act, which he went on to win. It was a turning point for him, a moment where fate met opportunity and changed everything.

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