Brand identity

Zola Nombona knows who she is, a character trait that has served her well on her journey as an actor and now as Foschini’s first brand ambassador. She spoke to Ingrid Corbett about the way her career has shifted and what got her to where she is now.

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zola Nombona knows how to make an entrance. And yet, I’m struggling to put my finger on what it is exactly that captures my attention the minute she bursts into the room. She’s early, for starters, which is practically unheard of in this industry. She’s dressed down in a plain T-shirt paired with cute high-waisted pants that flatter her hourglass frame. She greets everyone with a smile and it’s clear that she’s in high spirits. There’s a buzz of energy around her that makes me realise she’s also a little bit excited, which is kind of cute, considering she has spent half of her life in front of a camera. I decide I like her at once.

Zola’s face is familiar, of course. She’s an award-winning actress who has starred in numerous local drama series, including Intersexions, Generations and Legacy. In 2016, Zola received the Golden Horn Award for Best Achievement in a Made for TV Movie at the Saftas for her role in Ingoma. Two years later, she was nominated for her pivotal performance as Roxanne in the final season of the e.tv crime series Z'bondiwe.

The role was a turning point in her career. 'It established my diversity as an actress, and it opened a lot of doors,' shares Zola. That same year, she dazzled viewers with her performance alongside partner Tebogo Mashilo in Dancing With The Stars, making it to the finals.

I'm not surprised to hear she can dance. Her phone is synced to a speaker on set, and as she takes her place in front of the camera for the first shot, she makes eye contact with her manager, nodding her head just a fraction to indicate it’s time to press ‘play’. I am hovering in the background as Zola begins to move to the music. She shifts gracefully between poses, in a practised and fluid routine that makes me think one thing: ballet.