At 22, the artist is moving through the world with softness and ease. Embracing new stages, new stories and new versions of herself, she shows that becoming isn’t about perfection, it’s about stepping boldly into the unknown. Her partnership with Brutal Fruit proves that she is not only the moment, she belongs.
As her first-ever Glamour SA cover, this experience arrives on the heels of a phenomenal run — including her recent win as GLAMOUR Women of the Year: Editor’s Choice for 2025. This, along with multiple nominations and industry recognitions, cement her as one of the most exciting young artists in the country. Zee’s career has surpassed the stage of emerging; she’s exploded into her moment, with a creative presence that feels both instinctive and unstoppable. Her accolades tell their own story.
Beyond her viral hits and electrifying stage presence, Zee has built a solid musical footprint marked by platinum-level streaming success, sold-out performances, international bookings and a dedicated fanbase that grows with every release. She recently unveiled Ngisakuthanda, a short film that is a visual extension of one of her most successful albums. This offers fans an intimate, cinematic glimpse into her evolving artistry. It’s a bold move for a young artist, signalling her desire to stretch beyond sound into storytelling, direction and world- building. And the industry is paying attention. Zee’s name echoes across festival lineups, editorial conversations and digital spaces as the new voice of her generation. We’re witnessing her arrival, the steady, self-assured ascent of a young powerhouse who is carving her place in the future of African music on her own terms.
While her recent performance at the Brutal Fruit Pink Table in Johannesburg stole the internet; a moment where she appeared confidently in her element, it is only one chapter in the larger story of her becoming. Zee is in full bloom, moving with intention, leaning into softness and embracing her role as a creative force reshaping the soundscape. When I arrive at Glow Studios in Rosebank, Zee is shooting her first look. The familiar beat of the hit song “Bhampa” by Vigro Deep, featuring Zee and Ch’cco, fills the studio — setting the rhythm as she moves with effortless ease between takes. She is joyful, confident and still glowing from her performance at the Pink Table, a milestone she’s been celebrating proudly. Having previously mentioned that the space felt like home the moment she stepped into it, she admits that it’s the women who made it memorable. “I enjoyed the feminine energy; the women showed so much love. They were kind and had fun.” The Pink Table uplifts and empowers women to acknowledge their purpose.
Letting us in on the role of affirmations in her life, Zee says, “It looks like being able to make mistakes and still believing in yourself nonetheless. It’s reminding yourself to not get too arrogant and cocky because of the success, but allowing the success to exist.” I ask how she felt about her performance. “It was a new experience. It’s something out of my comfort zone. Accepting the opportunity felt like stepping into something new, something very scary but it was nice to learn along the way. I made a lot of mistakes, but it was all part of the experience,” she says. Watching her felt like watching a woman step fully into her moment — unafraid, unfiltered, fully present. People often say she is the moment: a rising star who owns her presence without trying too hard.
She stays remarkably grounded despite the rapid rise. “I can relate to people when they say I’m their role model; I’ve also had people I’ve looked up to and I know how it feels to look at someone and think, I like how they do their own things. You become aspirational.” As our GLAMOUR Women of the Year, Editor’s Choice, she beams as she shares how the award honours her younger self, the dreamer, who was born in Eswatini and raised in the township of Alexandra, Johannesburg. In simple phrasing, “It was reassuring,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to be like this, to live like this and to do even greater.”
Supporting her star power is her team of incredible people: “I appreciate each and every one of them and being in spaces that empower and celebrate women has made me want to add more women to my team,” she says. “When a woman is present, you can feel it, even with the small things women pay closer attention to. At the moment, I’m surrounded by men, from my bookings team, road managers, photographers and dancers. I literally have one female dancer. This is something I’d like to change.” Zee wants her journey to open doors for others, especially young female artists dreaming of a career in music. Expanding on her approach to impact, Zee shares that she aspires to empower women through education. “I’d like to be in a position to provide scholarships to young women who are looking to further their studies. There are women with potential but who don’t have the funds to pursue higher education. I want to help them access the academic space.” While she’s a successful musician, Zee says she didn’t progress in academia as far as she’d hoped. So, this is her way of giving back to both herself and her community.
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