South African singer-songwriter Zandile “Zee” Nxumalo continues to shine as one of the country’s leading young voices in music. At just 23 years old, the talented artist has already achieved what many only dream of. From breaking records to winning prestigious awards, Zee has firmly secured her place in the local music industry.
One of her biggest career highlights is her fan-favourite song Ngisakuthanda. The track became a true anthem and captured the hearts of many listeners across the country. Its lasting popularity even led to the creation of Ngisakuthanda: A Short Film, a project that received massive support from fans and further showed Zee’s ability to connect emotionally through her music.
Zee Nxumalo recently celebrated her 23rd birthday, and she quickly became a trending topic online. The Mama hitmaker caused a stir after a Facebook post she shared made its way to X (formerly Twitter). In the post, Zee openly shared a detailed list of birthday gifts she would love to receive. She wrote, “My birthday is in two days. [My] wishlist is a Dior bag/Dior sandals, or any Dior item. Buy me shares at JSE. A 40-inch wig (premium quality), maybe iPhone 17 Pro Max. I have enough perfume, I do not need them. A Mahele for my bus (Thule). Burberry swimwear (it’s on sale, just 10K).”
Her list did not stop there. Zee also revealed she would happily accept even bigger gifts. She added, “Pay registration for one of my fans. A 45 AMG Sport [car]. 3O0K hard-core cash. Or just buy me a Zee Nxumalo 2 Piece from The Fix. I don’t have it. It’s always sold out.”
The singer also shared beautiful moments from her birthday dinner, which she celebrated with family and close friends. Everyone wore black, while Zee stood out in a stunning figure-hugging red dress. She shared the laughter, love and warm birthday wishes that made the day special.
Zee turned 23 on 6 January 2025, and with the new year underway, she is already looking ahead. Speaking to Drum, the singer reflected on her successful 2025 and shared her New Year’s resolutions.
“Winning Song of the Year has been incredibly affirming for me. It feels like a moment where all the work, the faith, and the patience came together in a way I’ll never take for granted,” she shared.
She also thanked her supporters, saying, “Ngibonga kakhulu (thank you) to everyone who has supported me and believed in the music. I’ve always trusted the process and let the music speak, and to see it connect so deeply with people means everything.”
For Zee, the win is about more than just one song. “This win isn’t just about one song: it’s about growth and consistency for me,” she said.
As she enters the new year, Zee Nxumalo says her focus is clear. “My focus is really on intention. I want to move with more clarity, protect my joy, and stay grounded in who I am outside of the noise and the industry,” she states.
