By Nosipho Mabuza (Intern)
MBABANE – From Sigcineni to the spotlight!
If you’ve spent even a few minutes scrolling through TikTok in Eswatini, chances are you’ve come across her: vibrant transitions, heartfelt stories, and the kind of content that makes you double-tap without thinking twice. With over 117,000 followers and a whopping 1.7 million likes, Temageba Nkomondze, better known as LaMageba, is not just a content creator—she’s a movement.
But behind the viral numbers is a humble, ambitious Public Relations student at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, using her digital voice to connect, entertain, and uplift.
“People didn’t realize at first that I had a following,” she laughs. “It only hit them when I passed 35K. That’s when classmates started calling me the ‘TikTok girl.’”
For LaMageba, TikTok isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about creating meaning. Her background in PR gives her an edge.
“PR is all about communication, reputation, and storytelling,” she says. “I don’t just promote stuff. I connect. I create emotions. That’s what makes content stick.”
And brands have noticed. Her first big collaboration came with Sibane Sami Hotel, who tapped her to promote their Kiddies Fun Day. Since then, the offers keep coming.
Like many digital stars, her journey started in the most unexpected place: which was during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2022. Bored, isolated, and craving connection, she turned to TikTok as a creative escape. A viral post using Mthandeni’s “The King of Maskandi” changed everything.
“That video blew up. After that, people started really paying attention to my content.”Don’t let the dancing fool you—LaMageba is building something bigger. Her content even landed her an internship.
“People think TikTok is just fun. But it opened doors for me. It’s not luck—it’s strategy and consistency.”
She also knows how to handle the pressure of growing fame in a small country with a sceptical audience.
“In Eswatini, some people still think social media isn’t a real path. But we’re proving otherwise.”
Beyond the followers and filters, what really matters to her is the impact.
“One person messaged me saying my content helped them through depression,” she says. “That shook me. I realized—this isn’t just entertainment. It’s healing for some people.”
Despite being a natural performer online, LaMageba reveals a different side off-camera.
“People assume I’m super outgoing, but I’m actually introverted. TikTok is my outlet—it’s where the bold side of me lives.”
Her dream collaboration is with South African powerhouse actress Nelisiwe Sibiya. “She’s strong, authentic, and so real. I’d love to create something impactful with her.”
As for the haters, she shrugs it off. “Negative comments are rare, but I take criticism seriously. It helps me grow.”
Between studying, strategizing, and storytelling, LaMageba is carving out her space—and inspiring others to do the same.
“Fame is temporary. But connection that lasts. That’s what I focus on.”In a country where digital creators are still fighting for recognition, LaMageba is leading the charge—authentic, ambitious, and unapologetically herself.
Follow her journey:
TikTok: @LaMageba
