The 13th of July marks the birthday of an extraordinary woman. Miss Nomzamo Mbatha. Today she celebrates her 28th birthday, and boy, by the young age of 28 she sure has achieved a whole lot more than most of us. An award-winning actress, philanthropist as well as a fashion icon, there’s not much Nomzamo can’t do.
So on this special day, we are listing the 10 times Nomzamo wowed us throughout her career.
Take a look and let us know if we missed anything out:
1. Her respect for her family.
Nomzamo was raised by her grandmother in a township called KwaMashu, Northwest of Durban. She said that she admired her grandmother’s wisdom and has learnt a lot from it. She said that her grandmother always reminded her that people are like the fingers on your hands, they may not be the same length or look the same but you must treat them equally.
2. When she placed third in the 2012 MTV Base VJ search but didn’t let it end there.
In 2012, a friend dared her to enter the MTV VJ search. She said she accepted the challenge and before she knew it she was in the top three. She unfortunately didn’t come out on top but this helped her catapult her career into the success that it is today.
3. She makes a point of wearing African designs on international red carpets.
She proud to be an African woman and she wants to showcase the talent South African designers have on an international scale. She said she is all about cultivating and investing in the talent that we have in my country. She says her job is to change the narrative that Africa is only about HIV/Aids or poverty. She wants the world to know that we are talented and informed.
4. She graduated despite the odds
Earlier this year she graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting degree. It didn’t come easily to her though, she says that her family did not come from wealth so they couldn’t afford the studies but she found a way around it and came out with flying colours. So much so that she even had to turn down an amazing international campaign so she could write her exams.
5. Nomzamo is still ‘Jenny from the Block’ despite her success
She says that she has not been changed by the industry and for that she is grateful. She says she is very aware of the responsibility she holds for the young black girls, whose lives she wants to change, influence and touch. She refuses to believe she has “made it” because there is always room for growth no matter what.
6. She’s into the natural look
Nomzamo said she has gotten into a number of arguments with makeup artists about piling on the makeup. She believes strobing, contouring and caking is unapproachable and if you’ve ever met her you will know she definitely is not unapproachable. She believes in highlighting your features but not going too far with it.
7. She is all about female empowerment
Nomzamo is known for saying that the industry could do with more females that support each other and root for one another when they achieve success.
8. She loves the strength and beauty of black women
Not only this but, she says she is extremely proud to be one. Nomzamo has been known for voicing her opinion about the qualities of black women being commercialized in a way that implies black features on white women are more desirable. She believes every woman is beautiful in their own way.
9. She believes in putting herself first
She has a strong belief in that you should never put anyone – especially a man first and put your career second. Get your life together and that will come naturally.
10. She can spit a rhyme
In interviews, she says she knows EVERY word to Cardi B’s ‘Bodak Yellow’. TBH we’d love to hit up a club and experience it for ourselves!
Happy Birthday, Nomzamo!
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