Kajal Maharaj

EARLY LIFE

Kajal Maharaj was born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She attended Danville Park Girls High School from 1998 to 2002, matriculating with distinction and earning awards for Speech and Drama. Trained in Kathak dance at The Nateshwar Dance Academy (performing at The Playhouse Company in 1995 and 1996), she also studied hip hop and modern dance. Maharaj qualified as a make-up artist and fashion stylist at Face 2 Face Make-Up School and holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Marketing and Media Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She began modeling at age nine, winning the Ms Tinkerbell contest in 1993.

CAREER

Kajal Maharaj is a South African actress, television presenter, dancer, model, and entrepreneur, best known for portraying Shria Rampersad in the e.tv soapie Imbewu: The Seed (2018–ongoing as of available records) and presenting the SABC2 religious programme Dharma Moments (from February 2008). Her acting credits include Veneshree in Isidingo (2009), films such as Broken Promises 2 (2007), Run for Your Life 2 (2007 leading role), The Last Victims (2019), and Catch-Up (2020), plus stage work like Bad Girls Do Go To Heaven (2007). Pageant achievements include Miss India KZN (2004, plus Most Motivated and Most Beautiful Skin at Miss India SA), Face of India Bollywood SA (2005), and Miss Congeniality at Miss International Tourism (2006 representing South Africa)

PERSONAL LIFE

Kajal Maharaj has been married to Nesan Pather, a group communication manager, since 2010. The couple has two sons, Zorion and Kyros. She has been open about her diagnosis with endometriosis, experiencing infertility and a miscarriage before conceiving through lifestyle and diet changes.