Born on March 10, 1992, Zola Nombona is an actor and brand influencer from South Africa. Her portrayal of Shado in the second season of the SABC1 drama series made her well-known. She has made appearances in TV shows like Zbondiwe 3: The Chase and Lockdown.
In 2023, the actress starred in the lead role of the Mzansi Magic serial My Brother’s Keeper. She was cast as an actress in SABC 1’s soap series Generations: The Legacy. After more than a year on the soap drama, she formally resigned. She has been nominated for six SAFTAs.
| Background Information | |
|---|---|
| Full name: | Zola Nombona |
| Born: | 10 March 1992 (age 32 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Mthatha, Eastern Cape |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Education: | Dramatic arts |
| Alma mater: | University of the Witwatersrand |
| Occupation: | Actress, brand influencer |
| Years active: | 2013-date |
| Spouse: | Thomas Gumede |
| Children: | Cebelihle |
| Sibling: | Unathi Nombona |
Zola Nombona Childhood
On March 10, 1992, Zola Nombona was born in Mthatha, in the South African province of the Eastern Cape. Unatho Nombona, her younger sister, is her sister.
Her father was hesitant to approve of her attending the university to study theater. She relocated from the Eastern Cape to Gauteng to continue her education after high school.
Zola Nombona Education
Zola went to the Eastern Cape’s Grahamstown Victoria Girls High School. She attended the University of the Witwatersrand to study theatrical arts and received an honors degree.
Zola Nombona Career
In 2013, the actor landed her first significant role in SABC 1’s drama series Intersexions. In 2015, she made her set debut in the lead role of Zbondiwe, an e.tv drama. She was cast in another lead part, this time as Monde in the drama series Lockdown on television. She was a contender for the Best Actress in a TV Drama (Lockdown) SAFTA Golden Horn Award in 2019.
For Zbondiwe 3: The Chase, Zola was nominated for the 2018 SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a TV Drama. At the 2016 SAFTA Golden Horn, she took up the Best Actress in a Made for TV Movie (Ingoma) award.
Nombona portrayed Zee in the drama serial Inumber Number, which started as a movie. In the second season of Mzansi Love – Kasi Style, she played Sindi. She ventured into brand collaboration and business. Additionally, she received a nomination for the 2017 SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a TV Comedy (Forced Love).
Zola was a 2021 SAFTA Golden Horn nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Drama (Lockdown). She was also a nominee for the 2020 SAFTA Golden Horn Nominee for Best Actress in a TV Drama (Lockdown). She tried her hand at music and put out the singles “I Like It.”
Nombona is also a businesswoman; she established the upscale online store LXVE for women’s shapewear.
On January 29, 2024, Zola ran a promotion for the Huawei MateBook D 16. She was a nominee for the Glamour Women of the Year 2022 Next Gen award. She represents the clothing retailer Foschini South Africa as a brand ambassador.
Zola Nombona Individual Life
Cebelihle, Zola Nombona’s child, is born to Thomas Gumede, to whom she is married. The two have been dating for a few years. Unathi Nombona, her sister, assists her in raising her son.
Nombona, who resides in Johannesburg, Gauteng, speaks isiXhosa and English. She loves spending time with her grandmother in Matatiele, Eastern Cape.
Zola Nombona’s Recognition
Zola Nombona Awards
For her performance in the movie Love & Other 4 Letter Words, she received the 2017 Golden Horn Award for Best Achievement by a Lead Actress in a made-for-TV movie.
Zola Nombona Nominations
- Her portrayal in the TV drama series Isibaya earned her the 2014 Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Drama Series.
- For her performance in the TV drama series Isibaya, she received the 2015 Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role.
- Her performance in the TV comedy series Situated People earned her the 2016 Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a TV Comedy.
- For her performance in the movie Love & Other 4 Letter Words, she received the 2017 Golden Horn Award for Best Achievement by a Lead Actress in a made-for-TV movie.
Zola Nombona Cinematography
- Dancing with the Stars South Africa as Contestant
- eHostela as Constable Brightness
- Forced Love as Kat Minola
- Generations as Pamela Khoza
- Intersexions as Shado
- iNumber Number as Zee
- Isono as Zoleka
- iThuba Lokugcina as Zodwa Bhengu
- Lockdown as Monde
- My Brother’s Keeper as Fakazile
- Mzansi Love as Sindi
- Projek Dina as Emily
- Red Cake as Celebrity Guest
- Roomies as Noxolo
- SAFTAs as Presenter
- Single Galz as Lerato
- Sokhulu & Partners as Zizi Shongu
- Thandeka’s Diary as Lerato
- Zaziwa as Herself
- Z’bondiwe as Roxanne Nozulu
Zola Nombona Social Networks
Zola is a social media influencer for brands. With over 1.8 million verified followers, her Instagram account is quite popular. She has promoted numerous brands using her own brand.
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