Born on Ardmore in 1967, Shabalala started working as a painter in the ceramic studio under Fee Halstead-Berning in 1989. No formal training, but inspiration from other artists helped her develop a distinctive personal style which is obsessed with detail and intricate painting.

Collections: Sasol, Corobrik, the Durban Art Gallery, Tatham Gallery, Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg Art Gallery.