Three trailblazers. Three very different journeys. Yet award-winning DJ Zinhle, Naliyani Uma and Ponahalo share one defining quality: the courage to evolve while staying true to themselves. In collaboration with Crocs, a brand synonymous with comfort and self-expression, they reflect on the ambition, authenticity and personal style that continue to set them apart and inspire other
Naliyani Uma exists across multiple worlds simultaneously: fashion, acting, entrepreneurship, content creation and business. Yet rather than viewing these as separate careers, she sees them as part of one interconnected ecosystem shaped by curiosity, intention and evolution. “I’ve never believed that you need to fit into one title or one box. I genuinely love learning, evolving and stepping into spaces that challenge me because every experience teaches me something new about myself. Fashion, acting, entrepreneurship, content creation and business are not separate worlds to me, they all feed into one another. I’ve built an ecosystem where each part strengthens the other. I’m not building multiple careers; I’m building one meaningful life.”
In an online culture that constantly pressures women to “pick a lane”, Naliyani represents a generation refusing to shrink itself to fit expectations. Why does she think multifaceted women still make people uncomfortable? “I think people are comfortable when they can define women in simple terms,” she reflects. “Once a woman becomes multifaceted, intelligent and feminine, ambitious and soft, creative and strategic, she becomes difficult to categorise. That can feel intimidating. But I think women are finally giving themselves permission to stop shrinking. We are no longer asking whether we’re allowed to take up space in multiple rooms, we’re simply entering them.”
Having built a career where femininity and intelligence coexist unapologetically, Naliyani believes society still underestimates women who embrace beauty and glamour while operating strategically behind the scenes. “There’s often this outdated idea that femininity and intelligence exist separately, when in reality some of the most brilliant women I know are both,” she says. Further noting that in content creation particularly, people sometimes only see the final image and not the strategy, planning, storytelling and business thinking happening behind it. “Beauty may catch attention, but vision and intellect build longevity.” Her intentionality is also a key reason her content resonates so deeply. In an era driven by virality, speed and constant performance, her work feels considered, emotionally aware and rooted in authenticity rather than spectacle.
On how she protects her sense of self from becoming “content”, she says, “Trends are cute, but authenticity has always mattered more to me. I’ve learned that protecting your peace is the new luxury. If something doesn’t align with my growth, my values or the life I want to build for myself, I let it go. You do not need to prove your softness, your worth or your presence to anyone. I think that’s feminine elevation, understanding that who you are is already enough.” As someone who entered the content creation space before brands fully understood the power of cultural storytelling, Naliyani believes the future of the industry will move towards deeper connection and more intentional narratives. “Brands are already beginning to understand that audiences value trust over numbers alone. We’re seeing more appreciation for creators who build genuine communities, including nano creators whose audiences feel personally invested. The future will be less about chasing virality and more about building meaningful cultural impact.”
For her, the shift towards audiences seeking meaning over aesthetics reflects something much deeper. “Audiences want to feel seen,” she explains. “They want to relate, feel represented and know there is a real person behind the screen. Luxury and aspirational content will always have a place because people want to achieve this life or greater, but audiences also want honesty. They want to see the journey, not just the destination.” It’s also why her cinematic and fashion-forward storytelling feels larger than traditional content creation. She believes the line between creator, director and creative house is becoming increasingly blurred. “Creators are no longer simply creating content, we’re becoming directors, storytellers and creative houses of our own,” she says. Affirming that we’re building worlds and experiences rather than individual posts. “The future belongs to people who understand how to combine strategy with creativity and emotion.”
As South African creators continue gaining global recognition, Naliyani believes international brands are only beginning to grasp the complexity and richness of African creativity. “Africa cannot be placed into a single narrative. We are incredibly diverse in culture, fashion, storytelling and perspective. We have an abundance of talent and creativity that extends far beyond traditional expectations. African creatives don’t simply follow briefs, we tell stories, and that emotional connection is where our power lives.” Much of her work intentionally centres women, emotionally, aesthetically and intellectually. Rather than creating for external validation, she has cultivated a digital community rooted in sisterhood, softness and honesty. “I have never posted for male validation or admiration. I intentionally create and post for women and have built an online community rooted in sisterhood through fashion, beauty and honest conversations. I think women deserve spaces where they feel inspired, celebrated and seen
For Naliyani, creating art that centres women means allowing them to feel understood rather than merely observed. “It means celebrating softness and strength at the same time. “It’s about showing women as complex, layered individuals with dreams, emotions and intelligence,” she explains. She believes women are still starving to see individuality represented properly in both media and fashion. “There’s so much pressure today to follow trends and algorithms that many people begin looking and sounding the same. Women want to see themselves reflected honestly, different stories, different bodies, different journeys and different definitions of success.” Considering how much emphasis society places on being admired, perceived and validated, Naliyani’s perspective feels refreshingly grounded. On whether being admired or being understood matters more to her now, her response returns to peace and self-awareness. “At this stage of my life, neither matters more than peace. Validation becomes less important as you grow because you begin understanding your own value. You do not need to prove your softness, your worth or your presence to anyone. That, to me, is feminine elevation.
Ownership, particularly for women, remains deeply important to her. “Visibility without ownership can sometimes become temporary,” she explains. “Women are often taught to be seen, but not always taught to build. Wealth creation isn’t only about financial freedom, it’s about creating opportunities, changing generational stories and ensuring women have seats at tables where decisions are being made.” Reflecting on the legacy she hopes to leave behind, she says, “I hope my work leaves behind a reminder that women never have to choose one version of themselves.
I want women to know they can be feminine and powerful, soft and ambitious, creative and strategic. If my journey gives even one woman permission to dream bigger without shrinking herself, then I’ve done something meaningful.” When speaking about the women who shaped her understanding of strength, her mother remains central. “My mom has always defined strength for me, and she still does today. She taught me that strength isn’t always loud, it can be found in softness, resilience and grace.”
As a GLAMOUR cover star stepping into this Disruptors’ moment, Naliyani says the phrase “It always seems impossible until it’s done” has become real at every stage of her journey. “Being on the cover of GLAMOUR Magazine is one of those moments that once felt impossible to a younger version of me,” she reflects. “But I’ve learned that impossible is often just something that requires consistency, faith and courage.” Today, occupying space as a woman means something entirely different to her than it once did. “It means showing up without apology. “Earlier in my career, I felt like I had to prove why I deserved to be in certain rooms. Now I understand that I do not need permission to belong in spaces I have worked hard to enter.”
Enlightening that visibility goes far beyond representation, “It expands what women believe is possible for themselves. When young women see women leading businesses, starring in films or creating global impact, it tells them that their dreams are not distant ideas.” Even in celebration, she remains deeply aware of the realities women continue facing. “I can celebrate women while also remaining honest about the realities many women still face. Celebration becomes even more meaningful when it is rooted in truth.” If she could speak to the women who marched in 1956, she believes they would recognise resilience, community and ubuntu in the work she continues building today. “I hope they would see that same spirit in me, not only in pursuing my own dreams, but in creating spaces where other women feel seen, uplifted and empowered.”
Despite a life that constantly moves between creativity, entrepreneurship and public life, grounding remains deeply important to her. “My family, my close friends and my partner are truly my grounding force. Some of my favourite moments are actually the simplest ones, sitting with my mom over chai, playing with my nieces and nephew, or simply unpacking my day with my partner.” Asked what disruption means to her personally, her answer feels both simple and powerful. “Disruption means being unapologetically yourself. I think real disruption happens when you stop shrinking yourself to fit expectations and instead create your own narrative.”
As for the next version of Naliyani that the world has yet to fully see, she hints at a future rooted in intention, impact and legacy. “People have seen the fashion, beauty and public side of me. But I’m slowly allowing them to see the businesswoman, the philanthropist and the woman behind everything. I’ve only shared a small portion of who I am, and I know the most meaningful chapters are still ahead.
To read the rest of the cover story, purchase a copy of our Disruptors' Issue available on shelves nationwide and digitally on magzter.com
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