BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE- Eswatini-born music sensation Zee Nxumalo, born Zandile Nxumalo, has kicked off 2026 by reaching yet another unprecedented career high through an official brand partnership with Coca-Cola.
This major deal sees the “Funk 55” star joining the prestigious FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour as a featured entertainer. As part of this global activation, Zee will be the face of the festivities as the iconic solid-gold trophy makes its highly anticipated stops in Johannesburg at the Nasrec Expo Centre on January 31 and Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront on February 1. This partnership aligns the 22-year-old artist with one of the world’s most recognized brands, further solidifying her transition from a viral sensation to a blue-chip cultural icon.
In a dual-strike for the fashion world, Zee has also officially joined the PUMA South Africa family as a brand ambassador. She is currently the face of the brand’s retro-inspired “Pink Blush” Speedcat sneaker campaign, appearing alongside global superstars like Dua Lipa and K-pop sensation Rosé.
The campaign, which reintroduces the iconic 25-year-old racing silhouette to a new generation, highlights Zee as a trendsetter who effortlessly bridges the gap between street culture and high performance. For the artist, this partnership is a “full-circle moment,” as she recalls walking past the PUMA store in Braamfontein during her early days, dreaming of one day being part of the brand.
These major commercial wins follow a record-breaking 2025 for the Eswatini-born talent. Following the recent release of the Spotify Wrapped statistics, Zee made history as the only female artist to secure a spot in the Top 10 overall most-streamed artists in South Africa, amassing a staggering 101 million streams across 183 countries.
Her influence has also been recognized by the fashion elite, as she currently graces the festive cover of Glamour South Africa for the December 2025 – January 2026 issue. Under the headline “All Eyes on Her,” the magazine describes the Eswatini-born talent as the definitive “Voice of the Moment,” celebrating her creative impact and her recent win as the Editor’s Choice at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards.
Zee’s trophy cabinet has grown as quickly as her brand portfolio, marked by several prestigious accolades including being crowned the Sofnfree Artist of the Year at the Basadi in Music Awards. Her musical success remains unparalleled, with her hit single ‘Funk 55’ achieving 5x Platinum certification while ‘Ngisakuthanda’ continues to dominate airwaves. From the Kingdom of Eswatini to the pinnacle of the global stage, Zandile Nxumalo is no longer just representing a genre; she is representing the ambition of a generation. Her combined partnerships with Coca-Cola and PUMA mark a new chapter where her voice and style echo across stadiums and billboards alike.
#EPN #ZeeNxumalo #CocaCola #PUMASA #Speedcat #PinkBlush #FIFAWorldCup #TrophyTour #SpotifyWrapped2025 #GlamourSA #BasadiInMusic #EswatiniToTheWorld #AmapianoQueen #JoziBaby #ZandileNxumalo
(Courtesy Pic)
