BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MBABANE — At just 23, Zee Nxumalo is proving that sometimes the glow people see on the outside is a reflection of something much deeper,confidence, hard work and the courage to keep betting on yourself.
From commanding amapiano stages and dominating playlists to landing major brand deals and gracing the cover of Glamour South Africa, the Swazi-South African star is entering a new chapter where music, beauty, fashion and self-expression meet.
The latest milestone sees Nxumalo officially becoming the face of NIVEA Luminous630 Skin Glow, a partnership built around more than skincare. The campaign celebrates confidence and encourages women to embrace their individuality while owning their personal glow. The partnership was officially unveiled at a NIVEA Luminous630 Skin Glow media experience at House of YMZ in Johannesburg in August.
For Nxumalo, the meaning behind the partnership is personal.
“People often celebrate the big moments, but confidence is built long before anyone sees you. It’s in the work you put in, the challenges you overcome and the decision to keep believing in yourself. That’s what makes me glow, and that’s why this partnership feels so meaningful,” she said.
That message has become increasingly visible in a year where the young star continues to collect career milestones.
Her NIVEA appointment comes alongside another major fashion and lifestyle moment — her appearance on the cover of Glamour South Africa. The cover reveal gave fans a glimpse of Nxumalo outside the music stage, placing her firmly in the beauty and fashion conversation.
The significance of the moment was not lost on the young star as she saw the cover for the first time.
For an artist who has spent years building her name through music, seeing her face on one of South Africa’s prominent fashion and lifestyle magazines represents another sign of how far her career has travelled.
But Nxumalo’s story did not begin with the glamour of magazine covers.
Born Zandile Nxumalo on 6 January 2003, she was born in Eswatini before her family relocated to Johannesburg, where she grew up in Alexandra. Her musical journey began at a young age, including singing and performing before she eventually found her lane in amapiano.
Her early breakthrough came through music, with her debut EP KwaNxumalo released in 2022. The following year brought a major turning point when she featured on “Funk 55” alongside Shakes & Les, DBN Gogo, Ceeka RSA and Chley. The song reached No. 2 on the South African Local Streaming Chart and was later certified five-times platinum in South Africa.
She continued building her catalogue with songs such as “Thula Mabota”, featuring Pabi Cooper and 031Choppa, as well as appearances alongside established names including Dlala Thukzin.
Beyond the music, Nxumalo has increasingly become a figure associated with youth culture, fashion and beauty, a progression that has made partnerships such as NIVEA a natural extension of her public image.
Her own understanding of beauty also goes beyond appearance.
Speaking about her approach to confidence, Nxumalo said, “Stay confident in your skin because that allows you to go even further.”
And now, her journey is getting another television spotlight.
The official Top Billing social media page teased Nxumalo’s appearance on the programme, with former Miss South Africa and presenter Zozibini Tunzi set to interview the star. The segment focuses on Nxumalo’s latest career milestone and her new NIVEA partnership. The episode was scheduled for 17 September on SABC 3.
The television appearance adds another layer to a season already filled with major moments,music, beauty, fashion and media all converging around a young woman who is still only 23.
Nxumalo may already be appearing on magazine covers and fronting major campaigns, but her story remains one of a young artist who is still looking ahead.
The message behind her current glow is therefore bigger than a skincare campaign: dream loudly, back yourself and allow every new achievement to become a stepping stone towards the next one.
At 23, Zee Nxumalo is not simply enjoying her glow era.
She is building it.
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(Courtesy Pics)
