From Chart-Topper to Filmmaker: Zee Nxumalo Steps Into a New Creative Chapter
South Africa’s breakout star Zee Nxumalo has officially entered a defining new era in her career with the release of her first short film, Ngisakuthanda—a cinematic interpretation of her chart-dominating hit single. Dropped on the one-year anniversary of the record that transformed her into one of the country’s most streamed new artists, the film signals a striking evolution in her artistry and a confident expansion into visual storytelling.
The release arrives during a milestone moment in her career, following a year of unparalleled growth and cultural imprint.
Zee Nxumalo | SUPPLIED
A Landmark Year for Zee Nxumalo
Zee’s rapid ascent has been underlined by record-breaking achievements and major industry recognition:
- Ngisakuthanda has surpassed 100 million streams across platforms, cementing its status as one of South Africa’s biggest releases of the past year.
- Her latest single, released in September, has already amassed 50 million streams, charting strongly in both South Africa and Nigeria and contributing to her status as a multi-platinum artist.
- Named a GLAMOUR Woman of the Year 2025, honouring her cultural impact and connection to fans.
- Major brand partnerships with KFC, Nickelodeon, Puma, Nivea, Brutal Fruit and more
- SAMA and AFRIMMA nominations in 2025.
Official launch of her growing fan community, iZinja Zam.
Watch Ngisakuthanda:
A Cinematic Evolution: About the Film
Ngisakuthanda—originally celebrated for its emotional honesty and vulnerability—takes on new life in its film adaptation. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Kuda Jemba, the short film explores themes of first love, regret, and the quiet heartbreaks that shape young adulthood. Anchored by stillness, silence, and visual nuance, the narrative reflects the unsaid truths that often hold the heaviest weight.
Before going public, Zee hosted an exclusive premiere at The Bioscope on Thursday, 20 November, inviting her supporters into an intimate storytelling experience. The screening doubled as the official launch of iZinja Zam, positioning her fans not as spectators but as a community at the heart of her creative world.
Released digitally on Friday, 21 November, the film surpassed 200,000 views within the first 72 hours, with fans praising it as bold, emotional, and unlike anything currently coming out of the South African music landscape.
A New Dimension of Zee’s Artistry
In the film, Zee delivers a performance that reveals a new facet of her creative identity. Guided by actor, writer, and director Anelisa Phewa, she embraces the challenge of acting alongside rising talent Thandolwethu Olly Zondi, whose sincerity deepens the emotional resonance between the characters.
Award-winning Director Kuda Jemba describes the project as a “collective diary of emotions” shaped by shared experiences of love and loss, while producer Theodorah Madela highlights the passion of a young creative team determined to bring the story to life with care and intentionality. Shot on RED, the film’s warm, atmospheric aesthetic reflects the team’s commitment to detail and visual storytelling.
““Ngisakuthanda began with a simple idea that stayed with me. Heartbreak, as painful and disorienting as it feels, is often the moment we first learn how to move forward on our own. The story is inspired by Zee’s song and a chapter from my own life, but as I began shaping it, it grew into something much bigger. Friends shared their own moments of love, mistakes, and growth, and those stories found their way into the film. In many ways, it became a collective diary of emotions we have all lived through. Working with Zee and Olly brought the emotional core of the film to life. They did more than perform the story; they felt it and lived in it. Their vulnerability and presence are what give the film its pulse. I am grateful for the crew who carried this project with the same level of care. People were not just doing their jobs; they were protecting the story. There were moments on set where everyone moved as if they shared one mind, chasing the same shot, the same feeling, the same truth. That kind of alignment is rare, and it is something I will always hold close. Ngisakuthanda carries the weight of real emotions and real people who have lived through the kind of love that changes you. I am proud of what we created together, and I hope that anyone who watches it feels a little less alone in whatever they are learning to let go of.” Kuda Jemba
“Producing this film was an opportunity to nurture young creative talent and build something that belongs to us. The entire team approached this project with passion and intention. Every department, from direction and cinematography to performance and styling, understood the heart of the story and worked with care to bring it to life. Ngisakuthanda is a labour of love. It reflects our commitment to telling stories in our own way. I am proud of what we have made and even more proud that we are able to gift this story to Zee’s fans. They have supported the song from the beginning, and they deserve a visual experience that feels personal and elevated.” Theodorah Madela
Zee Nxumalo | SUPPLIED
A Defining Weekend in Her Career
On Saturday, 22 November—just one day after the film’s digital release—Zee was honoured with the Editor’s Award at the GLAMOUR Women of the Year Awards 2025, recognising her cultural influence, her deep connection to fans, and her bold expansion as a multi-disciplinary creative.
With the launch of her fan club, the release of her first short film, and a major award all in one weekend, Zee Nxumalo steps into a new chapter defined by ambition, vision, and artistic evolution.
Ngisakuthanda The Short Film is now available to the public. As the excitement continues to build, Zee is already working on new music, with a highly anticipated EP set for release soon—promising honesty, depth, and an ever-expanding creative universe.
Watch Ngisakuthanda The Short Film now