[Image: Xabiso Pearl Kambi TikTok]
Lurnay Tshabalala-Mavuso | Senior Reporter | 08 January 2026
On the 21st of November 2025, She spear-headed the National Gender-Based Violence Shutdown March in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni. She believed in the rights of women and in the social,political and economic equality of the sexes. Little did she know that on the last day of 2025, it would be her last day on earth. Xabiso Pearl Kambi(20), a young thespian and activist from Tsakane, was fatally shot on the 31st of December 2025 outside her family liquor store at Corner Mbulu and Maduna street in Maxhoseni section. Kambi was allegedly approached by 3 men who robbed her of her bag which had the cashing from that day. Kambi then ran after the men fighting for her bag, it was then that one of the assailants shot her leaving her heavily wounded. Kambi succumbed to her wounds and passed on at the scene and when emergency services arrived they declared her dead confirming that her wounds were too intense that she couldn’t have survived them.
“I believe that Xabiso chased after these criminals because I have always taught her to fight for herself. She was a fighter and even when she was bullied at school for having dark skin and a deep voice, I always taught her that she should fight back and never allow anyone to take advantange of her.”, says Sbongile Kambi who is an Aunt to Xabiso.
Kambi is described as a lively thespian who lived vicariously through the arts and through activism. One of her neighbors mentioned that she was a dancer at heart and that music made her happy that you would find her dancing with her phone, camera on, and facing her direction, doing a Tiktok challenge and always sharing jokes with customers who came to buy at her family shop.
On the 5th of January 2026, the Acting Executive Mayor Jongizizwe Dlabathi paid a visit to the Kambi family to deliver his condolences. Dlabathi condemns the killing of women and girls and hopes that the three men who attacked Xabiso are found soon and when found they should face legal consequences. Xabiso Pearl Kambi will be laid to rest on Saturday the 10th of January 2026 at 08h00 until 11. The service will be held at Farramere Community Centre in Benoni.
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