5 Minutes with Paballo Kgware

Get to know the popular content creator who got you laughing about washing dishes and other funny moments that have reminded all of us of how similar we are.

Who is Paballo Kgware (where and when were you born, where did you grow up and what do you do)?

Paballo Kgware is a small-town girl who hails from Thaba Nchu in the Free State. I was born in August 1999 in Bloemfontein then later relocated to Durban in 2004 until now. 

I’m “unemployed”, I guess, at the moment. I obtained my BA in Live Performance in 2020 and I just completed my honours degree in producing at AFDA. I am also a member and African Music co-ordinator of the KwaZulu-Natal youth choir. 

How did you get into making digital content? What encouraged you to make the first one?

Honestly, I was just bored one day watching reels and after I heard an audio, an idea popped into my head. So I got up, filmed it then posted it. I mainly would make a reel when I was bored or procrastinating, I didn’t think it would “blow up” the way that it did. It’s also a way for me to play and destress, you know. I LOVE acting, since primary school. So this platform is a fun bridge for me while we still wait for the real fun to begin.

Who are some of your favourite content creators/influencers and why?

I absolutely love Yoliswa Mqoco. She’s the reason why I am completely and utterly in love with my body today. She taught me how to embrace myself completely as I am and it’s so fulfilling when people comment on my posts that I have a similar impact on them. I also love Mpho Pink. I discovered her on TikTok. Her content is so authentic, original and relatable, while being really funny. That’s the kinda vibe that I went for as well when I originally started. 

What goes on behind the scenes (what does it take to put the videos together?)

Literally, “Lights, Camera, ACTION!” As well as a whole lot of costume changes and waaaay more bloopers. Living at home is tricky because people will just barge into my room not knowing that I’m filming, or my brother would randomly make noise at the final second. But we get through it, and it’s totally fun and worth it. 

When did you realise that your videos had gone viral and which video has been the most popular? What do you think has made them so popular?

When I first surpassed 20,000 views because that was not a norm for me at all. I’d barely get to 5,000 views. But the biggest indicator was when well-known personalities that I have always looked up to such as Nandi Madida and Terry Pheto and a few others found and shared my content to their stories. That was crazy for me. I didn’t even know how to react. 

The video where I tell my mom that I won’t wash dishes because “this not me poropity” is my most popular. I’d like to think my videos are popular because I try to be relatable (in a funny way) as well as making people realise that we’re all really the same people and we don’t even know. I also try unlock memories that people didn’t even know that they have. Most importantly, I try not to be cliche, or orthodox. I try not to use the obvious caption with audios. For example, Ms Kwinana. Most people went for the “online accounting degree” route. So I knew that for mine to stand out, I’d have to go against the grain. 

What has the response been since your videos have become so popular? 

There’s been an awesome response. Again, when I started I didn’t even start to blow up or go viral. I just wanted to have a bit of fun. So being able to have fun, while playing around with different characters on top of making people laugh is so fulfilling. Not to mention helping some girls boost their confidence and self-esteem, whuuu that inexplicable. 

Where would you like to take your content creation?

Honestly, I’ve let the content creation take me where I’m meant to be. The timing must have been right for them to become popular and they did. So I want to keep doing just that. I want to keep riding this wave because it knows the way better than I do. And eventually, all will fall into its rightful way. It’s really not about the destination, but the journey. And boy, what a fun journey it is.

Follow Paballo on Instagram @pabskgware 

SEE ALSO: 5 minutes with Khanyisa Madubula