GLAMOUR's cover star Nomzamo Mbatha makes TIME100 NEXT list

GLAMOUR’s cover star, Nomzamo Mbatha, has been named one of TIME magazine’s World’s Most Influential Rising Stars in Advocacy as part of its prestigious Time100 Next list. The annual initiative spotlights visionaries shaping the future across industries, and Mbatha’s inclusion underscores her growing impact both on and beyond the screen. She was nominated by American actress, singer, and UN Goodwill Ambassador Kat Graham, an acknowledgement of her relentless commitment to change.

Actress and Philanthropist. Image: Austin Malema

Mbatha’s advocacy journey spans continents and causes. As a longtime supporter of Global Citizen, she has worked to advance the mission of ending extreme poverty. Her collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has taken her from field missions in Kenya, Malawi, and South Sudan to the global stage, where her authenticity and empathy earned her the title of UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2019. From TEDx Kakuma to international forums, she has amplified refugee voices with rare sincerity and strength.

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A Snapshot of Our Hair&Beauty Issue Cover Story Featuring Nomzamo Mbatha

Closer to home, Mbatha champions education and literacy through her Lighthouse Foundation, which focuses on empowering young South Africans. Recently, she partnered with the Cotton On Foundation for the Beyond Words campaign, joining forces with The Bookery to build libraries in underserved schools. By bridging access to books and creating safe learning spaces, she is tackling literacy inequalities head-on.

Founder of the Lighthouse Foundation. Image: Austin Malema

Onscreen, Mbatha continues to elevate African storytelling, from the Hollywood blockbuster Coming 2 America to the critically acclaimed epic Shaka iLembe, where she also serves as executive producer. In every role, whether as actress, philanthropist, or advocate, she embodies the essence of African excellence and global influence.