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Nomzamo Mbatha | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nomzamo Nxumalo Mbatha 13 July 1990 KwaMashu, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Citizenship |
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| Education | Bechet High School |
| Alma mater | University of Cape Town |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Organizations |
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| Agent | CAA |
| Notable work |
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| Television | Miss South Africa 2020 One Night With Mzansi SAMA Awards 2019 |
| Father | Skuta Nxumalo |
| Relatives | Zamani Mbatha (brother) |
| Awards |
|
Nomzamo Nxumalo Mbatha (born 13 July 1990), is a South African actress, accountant, television personality, businesswoman, human rights activist. [2] She is best Known for portraying Thandeka Zungu on Mzansi Magic Isibaya(2013-2020) [3] and Mirembe on Paramount's Coming 2 America(2021) [4] and Queen Nandi KaBhebhe OkaSenzangakhona KaJama on Shaka iLembe(2023-2025). [5] [6]
Nomzamo Mbatha was born on 13 July 1990 in KwaMashu Township, [2] approximately 21 kilometres (13 mi), by road, north-west of the city of Durban, in KwaZulu Natal Province [7] and is of Zulu ethnicity.
She attended Rippon Primary School in Durban and Bechet High School, where she obtained her High School Diploma. In 2018, she graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor of Commerce degree specialising in accounting. [2]
Mbatha auditioned for a television show in July 2012. She has also started acting on Isibaya in 2013 and also became the main character, this marked her acting debut and was praised by critics for playing Thandeka Zungu. [8] The search, which was held at Cape Town, attracted over 600 contestants. She placed in the top 70 and later the top 10. She was one of the three top finalists. In 2015, she made her film debut in Tell Me Sweet Something with Maps Maponyane, which was released on 4 September that year, and also appeared in the television show Umlilo from 2015 to 2016. That same year, she began hosting a reality travel show called Holiday Swap, on South African Broadcasting Corporation. [2]
In April 2021, it was announced that she was cast in Saban Films new movie Soul Assassins [9] alongside Bruce Willis which was later filmed under a new name Die Like Lovers but was released as Assassin and became Bruce Willis's last movie. [10] In 2022, Mbatha revealed she has been cast as Nandi on the Mzansi Magic biopic TV series Shaka Ilembe, which she also co-produced. [11]
The previous year, Mbatha signed with talent management agency Creative Artists Agency. [11] [12] [8] [13] [6]
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Jake's are Missing | Page | Film debut role |
| 2014 | Tell Me Something Sweet [14] | Muratiwa | |
| 2017 | All About Love [15] | Vivian | Romance |
| 2017 | A Hotel Called Memory [16] | Tina | Drama |
| 2021 | Coming 2 America | Mirembe | Comedy / Music |
| 2023 | Assassin | Alexa | Action / Crime / Thriller |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013—2020 | Isibaya | Thandeka / Thandeka Zungu | 7 Seasons |
| 2017 | Umlilo | Khwezi Simelani | 4 episodes |
| Holiday Swap | Host / Herself | Television documentary | |
| 2023 | Shaka iLembe | Nandi | 12 episodes |
In 2018, Mbatha was recognized as one of the OkayAfrika 100 Women 2018 Honorees, by OkayAfrica Digital Media. [17]
In 2018, she spent time touring Kenyan refugee camps, in her role as UNHCR Ambassador. [18]
She received an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress nomination for playing "Moratiwa" in Tell Me Sweet Something (2015). [19] [20]
In January 2019, she was appointed a UNHCR goodwill ambassador. [21] In October 2019, she was inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society as one of its honorary members. [22]
[23] In 2025 Mbatha was announced as the first South African ambassador of Creme of Nature. [24] [25]
Mbatha is a long time supporter of Orlando Pirates F.C. as she says she considers herself the team's number 1 fan since she could tell. [26]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Shaka iLembe | Best actress | Nominated | [27] |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Herself | Best Actress In A TV Drama | Nominated | [28] [29] |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Herself | Celebrity Personality of the Year 2024 | Nominated | [30] [31] |
Mbatha is the sister of fellow Shaka iLembe actor Zamani Mbatha [32] the media personality Wendy Mbatha. In 2023 Mbatha revealed that she spent most of her time on projects but makes enough time for his family. [33] [34] [35]
In 2014 Mbatha announced a she was in a relationship with Idols season 8 Winner Khaya Mthethwa before calling it quits in December that year due to Mthethwa allegedly cheating with Nomzamo 's then best friend and Isibaya co-star Jessica Nkosi. [36] This ended the duo friendship and ruined their working collaboration from many TV shows to MC Events. [37] Although Nkosi denied allegations of having any affair with Mthethwa , The two has never spoken to each other every since and do not support or follow each other on Socials. [38] In 2015 during the filming of Nomzamo's first lead role in film(Tell Me Sweet Something ); Mbatha met co-star Maps Maponyane on set and the two initial warmed up to each other. In months time Mbatha the two started dating and quickly became South Africa 's favourite Celebrity couple. [39] In 2015 the couple made headlines when cheating allegations surfaced claiming Maponyane cheated on Mbatha with another. [40] [41] The couple eventually broke up with Nomzamo ending up unfollowing Maponyane on all social media platforms. [42]
After successfully cementing her name in the entertainment industry in South Africa. Mbatha quickly started building her Hollywood name with film project like Coming 2 America [4] [43] alongside Eddie Murphy and Assassin [10] alongside Bruce Willis. She is also proud long standing Global Ambassador of UNCHR [44] serving as Continental Ambassador. She has also served as the recurring host for Global citizens Concert since 2022-2025. [45]
