Makhaola Ndebele was born in the Kingdom of Lesotho, where his spent most of his childhood. This was interspersed with some years spent growing up in Cambridge, England, and Denver Colorado. He is the first born son of Academic Professor, and author, Njabulo Ndebele, and Organisational Leader Mpho Ndebele.
He obtained his International Baccalaureate diploma at Machabeng College, in Lesotho; his Bachelor's degree at the University of Cape Town; and his Masters degree at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg RSA.
He began in film as a teenager, when he appeared, as an extra, in American Ninja 4 (1990). He made his debut, a professional actor, in South African TV Mini-series The Principal (1997). His career highlights include producing a sitcom, Nomzamo (2006-2009) and performing the role of Moshe Mambo in Money Monster (2016).
Makhaola also works a theatre director, and creative consultant.