BY NELIWE NGUBANE (INTERN)
NGCULWINI— A young content creator from Ngculwini is turning pain into purpose as he navigates identity, fame and healing through his online persona, Luyanda waZwide.
At just 21, Yandiswa Jele, known online as Luyanda waZwide, is a rising digital personality from the Manzini region with about 100 000 followers on TikTok, while still trying to understand himself in the spotlight.
Yandiswa grew up in Nkiliji under difficult circumstances, where he says he experienced various forms of abuse as a child. Being small made him an easy target, and those early experiences shaped how he sees himself today.
In Form 4, his life changed when he moved to a new environment. For the first time, he felt a sense of peace. However, instead of discovering himself, he began to resent his past and believed something was wrong with him. That is when he created Luyanda, a bold, outspoken online character who became his escape.
“I created someone entirely different. That is how Luyanda was born,” he said.
Despite gaining popularity, his journey was not easy. His mother initially disapproved of his online presence, forcing him to secretly record videos and attend events without her knowledge. He would even change outfits at bus stops to maintain the image.
His fame became overwhelming during a high school career expo in Nhlangano, where students recognised him, causing a scene that left him feeling exposed and anxious.
“What was supposed to be my safe space suddenly became suffocating,” he explained.
Behind the screen, Yandiswa describes himself as an introvert, very different from Luyanda. While fans see a confident and sharp-tongued personality, he is still a young man dealing with emotional wounds and personal growth.
Music has become his therapy. He uses it to process emotions, often lying still for hours while listening to songs that reflect his feelings.
“It helps me reset. I always come back with a solution,” he said.
In 2025, he disappeared from social media for seven months after struggling with depression and adjusting to public life. During that time, he feared the worst, even writing farewell notes. However, it was his followers who brought him back.
“They were not asking for content. They were concerned about me as a person,” he shared.
Today, he views his supporters as family and appreciates the role they played in his recovery. Although his family was initially distant about his career, they have since become supportive.
Yandiswa hopes to pursue acting in the future, using content creation as a stepping stone. He believes success is not about fame or achievements, but about inner peace.
“Success is being at peace with yourself,” he said.
He also has a message for others facing hardships: take control of your next step.
“You are responsible for what happens next. Get up and keep going,” he advised.
As he continues to grow, Yandiswa is learning to separate his real self from his online identity, finding strength in both.
#HumanInterest #EswatiniYouth #ContentCreator #MentalHealth #OvercomingAbuse #DigitalFame #YouthVoices #Inspiration
(Courtesy Pic)
