| Warona Setshwaelo | |
| Birth Place: | Gaborone, Botswana |
| Alma Mater: | Virginia Tech |
| Years Active: | 2003–present |
| Occupation: | Actress, video editor |
| Relatives: | 1 |
Warona Masego Setshwaelo (born) is a Botswana actress and video editor.
Setshwaelo was born in Gaborone, Botswana and was raised in Ethiopia, Swaziland, South Africa, and Botswana. Her mother is a psychologist, her father is the politician Ephraim Setshwaelo, and she has a sister, Marang.[1] [2] She developed an interest in activism from a young age. Setshwaelo moved to the United States to study at Virginia Tech, graduating with a degree in Theater Arts. She worked as a video editor and radio host. Setshwaelo did an acting tour with National Players of Olney, Maryland, before deciding to move back to Botswana.[3] She was a housemate in the first season of Big Brother Africa in 2003. Setshwaelo was one of the last housemates to be evicted and she became a celebrity in her home country.[4]
In 2007, Setshwaelo moved to Montreal to further her acting career. She performed in a number of plays in Montreal, including Nutmeg Princess and New Canadian Kid. She had a small role in the 2013 film White House Down. In January and February 2015, Setshwaelo starred in the medical drama The Waiting Room at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto.[5] In October 2015, she played Odette in the play State of Denial.[6] Setshwaelo played a trauma counselor in a 2016 episode of Quantico.[7] She had a role in the 2018 film On the Basis of Sex. Setshwaelo played Karen, the mother of ex-police officer Lila Hines in the 2019 play Bang Bang.[8]
Her name, Warona, means "ours." In addition to acting, she enjoys cooking and reading.[9] She lives with her partner, Mike Payette, and daughter Khaya.