UMnumzane Theo Bophela wazalwa ngoMashi 15, 1931 e-Estcourt (Esiphangweni). Umama wakhe washona eneminyaka emibili kuphela, kanti ubaba wakhe wadlula emhlabeni ngemuva kweminyaka emihlanu, wamshiya eyintandane ukuba akhuliswe ugogo wakhe e-Cator Manor. Ukuvezwa kwakhe okokuqala emculweni wayesesontweni ngenkathi esahlala nabazali bakhe.
Wayecwile ezinhlotsheni ezahlukahlukene zomculo kusukela esemncane kakhulu. Uthando lukaBophela ngomculo wezintambo ngokujwayelekile kumholele ekutheni afunde izisekelo ku-Patrick J. Chambers.
Ngemuva kokuthola isitifiketi sakhe esikhulu, umsebenzi endaweni yokusebenzela yokulungisa imisakazo nokuhambela imicimbi yezingqwele ze-jazz kwamgqugquzela ukuthi enze izifundo zepiyano futhi akakaze abheke emuva. Intuthuko enkulu kaTheo yafika ngo-1955 ngenkathi edlala ohlelweni i-Africa Jazz and Variety.
Ngesikhathi esebenza kahle, wasebenza neqembu lika-Tom Ndaba le-Swingsters Jazz Band, i-Chromatic Jazz Band, i-Keynotes Jazz Group, i-Theo Bophela Trios & Quartets Jazz Resurrection Orchestra phakathi kwabanye. UTheo, njengomholi weqembu, umqambi womculo, umdlali wopiyano, umhleli womculo, umfundisi nomqondisi womculo, wadlala e-Athens, e-Holland, e-Australia nase-New Zealand futhi wenza izingqungquthela ze-‘Soweto Jive ’e-Alkmaar, e-Holland no-Sophie Mgcina ongasekho no-Timothy Ndaba. Ubuye wabhala nemisebenzi ye-orchestral eyenziwa yi-KZN Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra neNgwelo Afrika Jazz Group.
Lapho engabelani ngengcebo yakhe yolwazi lomculo, ubamba iqhaza emizamweni yokuqongelela imali eMasisizane Centre, okuyinhlangano yomphakathi yabantu abadala baseNanda. Namuhla, uBophela uyaqhubeka nokugqugquzela abadlali abasebancane abangabafundi nabaculi, edlulisa ukuthanda kwakhe i-jazz nothando lobuculi.
Ezinye zezinto azenzile zibandakanya ukuba yingxenye yomculo we-Gibson Kente “Manana the Jazz Prophet”, wafeza ama-distinction angu-19 eneminyaka engu-79, iqembu le-jazz le-Formed Nqwelo Africa okubandakanya abafundi kanye nokuqeqeshwa kwabaculi abanolwazi (6 piece band + vocalist female), Bathola umklomelo wehholo lodumo “outstanding contribution for a lifetime of music”. Kuphinde kwaqondiswa umdlalo wezomculo othi “Madiba’s Farewell” e-Market Theatre eGoli
He was a member of the KZN Arts and Culture Council, a member of the Social Transformation Sub-Comittee, an ex-member of Board of Directors for South African Recording Rights Association Limited (SARAL), an active member of South African Music Rights Organization (SAMRO), Composer, Arranger, Band Leader, Pianist, Music Director/Educator and Orchestrator. He presently lives in Inanda, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal with his wife and youngest son of his four children.
Wayeyilungu loMkhandlu Wezobuciko Namasiko eKZN, eyilungu le-Social Transformation Sub-Committee, owayeyilungu leBhodi labaqondisi be-South African Recording Rights Association Limited (SARAL), ilungu elisebenzayo le-South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), umqambi, umhleli, umholi webhendi, umdlali wepiyano, uMqondisi womculo / uthisha kanye ne-Orchestrator. Wayehlala eNanda, eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal nonkosikazi wakhe kanye nendodana yakhe encane ezinganeni zakhe ezine.
Wadlula emhlabeni kwakhe eNanda, enyakatho yeTheku, ngoNovemba 2017, ngemuva kokuxinwa yisifo sikashukela.