Nqobile Khwezi has a face card that never declines. It also radiates with a natural glow that you can’t help but be drawn to. 

“I love to make people smile. I love to light up a room and make people feel good about themselves. I want them to laugh and feel good about themselves.”

And that is the energy she came with for this Nounouche cover interview – full of life and a whole lot of pizazz. It’s one of those things that you either have or you don’t. Nqobile has it in great abundance and presents herself with a confidence that cannot be contained. 

“I go by Nqobile Khwezi. Khwezi is my second name. My surname is Mahlambi,” she matter of factly explained to Nounouche Editor-in-Chief Bonnie Meslane. 

The bubbly media personality is a brand strategist, model, Supersport presenter, influencer and most recently Tropika Island of Treasure celebrity contestant.

Born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Nqobile was surrounded by a loving family that knew she was meant to shine. 

“I have three siblings – an older sister and a younger brother and sister – and I just loved putting on a show and providing entertainment for the family,” she reminisced, adding that her parents were strict on the children but encouraged them to go for their dreams and work hard. 

“Our household was a Zulu and Swati home. I grew up doing pageants and was always immersed in the culture space – dancing and drama – I actually changed schools just so I could get into a drama programme. I have always loved entertainment.”

While her personality extends itself to all things bright and beautiful, Nqobile is a person who enjoys her privacy and making sure she lives a quality life filled with activities that better her as an individual. 

She gives credit to her support structure that includes her family and friends who always manage to keep her grounded. 

“My friends support and endorse me. They will be quick to tell me when I’ve done well, and will be there for me when I am having a tough day. These are people who I can chill with and have a good time with without putting on an act.”

She describes her family as down to earth and the people who always remind her that the journey is not just about the achievements but more especially about the person you are. 

“My mom always said ‘be a good person, be humble, you lose nothing from it and gain everything from it’. I live by that.” 

She gives glory to God and the role He plays in her life. 

“I remain faithful, amazed and grateful for what He has done in my life – that has helped me stay level headed.” 

Nqobile completed her degree in Strategic Brand Communication at Vega, Cape Town and started modelling. That was when she was introduced to the world of influencing and content creation.

“My friend encouraged me to shoot my BTS (Behind The Scenes) content and said I would love it. That gained momentum and in 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, we had nothing to do but to create content and that’s how we made money. I will always be where the money is.”

The influencer space has grown tremendously in South Africa, pushing ordinary people to stardom and redefining the new age ‘celebrity’. Oftentimes, the influencer tag is associated negatively. According to Nqobile, this is a limiting construct because many people choose not to understand what influencing truly is. 

“We use terms loosely and when people don’t understand something they will want to dictate to you what it should be. Influencers don’t realise the power they have, you are a marketing tool, you are part of the integrated marketing sector. What influencers do can be turned into revenue, that is powerful. I think people need to understand that and realise how powerful that is. People like to look down on what they can’t figure out and box it to suit them.”

When Nqobile speaks about her journey, she describes it as one that is filled with growth, true belief and purpose. 

“Everything I do I equate to purpose. While it sounds vague and typical, God is always able to provide for me in the spaces that I might have not thought I would have succeeded in. A lot of the time I am surprised; if you told me I would be in certain spaces now years back I would have told you – you are crazy girl!”

“It’s a testament to that – purpose, growth and overcoming. That is how I would describe it.”

Referencing back to her earlier years as a young girl who imagined herself in the entertainment space, Nqobile speaks proudly of her confidence.

“I was a young girl and bengiphapha. I had so much energy! My parents used to say I do too much and it is not a surprise that I am where I am today. I was always a creative kid. If I was not cutting up clothes, I was pretending to open up restaurants, putting up a show for my parents on their anniversary – I always, always wanted to entertain.”

Nqobile, over the last few years has made great strides in her career, working at Supersport and travelling the world rubbing shoulders with the who’s who of the sporting world and other industries.

“It has been an amazing time. I love to see how others are working in this space and how they are creatively reinventing themselves. We all come from different backgrounds and have stories to tell. I have enjoyed meeting people who have shared their journeys with me; their struggles and triumphs. I have heard peoples stories and they have shared advice from their experiences. It has been good. We get to stand on the shoulders of giants who came before us.”

Her thriving TV presenter gig has also offered her numerous, once in a lifetime opportunities, like meeting the iconic singer/songwriter Kelly Rowland.

“I absolutely pinched myself when I got to interview her. It was a dream come true! She is such a down to earth person.  I also thoroughly enjoyed chatting to WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) player Breanna Stewart. I interviewed her just before the Olympics earlier this year and she wasn’t sure if she was going to make the team and I was like – of course you will! She went on to win an Olympic gold medal! Getting the opportunity to talk to people who have done such amazing things and are still so down to earth is incredible.”

Working in a male dominated industry comes with its challenges but Nqobile prefers to turn those challenges into opportunities to better herself constantly. 

“I think it is important to know your place and why you are there. In certain spaces you are expected to fall in line but I have worked with some incredible people in the space and all they want is to see you grow. They are happy to share information and plug you with brands to work with. There are really good people in the sporting space. Literally from the floor managers to the directors.”

A common challenge women face in male dominated industries is being sexualised but Nqobile believes in the importance of placing value on yourself.

“I believe life is a value proposition; if you will come and present yourself as someone to be objectified, that’s what you get. I try to make sure I look cute but I still come prepared and professional, people will take you seriously.”

She looks up to women like Thato Moeng and Julia Stuart, in fact all the women at Supersport who have helped pave the way for her. 

“They all have pure hearts and have made working in the space aspirational. Even the women who I have entered the space with at the same time who have gone on to grow so much really inspire me, we all do different things and we conquer.” 

One of Nqobile’s highlights includes getting to interview motorsport executive and entrepreneur Susie Wolff. 

She also appreciates covering a variety of sporting codes, her top five being rugby, basketball, cricket, soccer and tennis. 

“Rugby because No DNA, just RSA! I love the rich culture and lifestyle of basketball. The SA T20 had one of the most beautiful campaigns to awaken a love for cricket and watching it takeover has been amazing. Soccer – I am a City (Manchester) girl and locally a Buccaneer (Orlando Pirates). The first time I went to Roland Garros (The French Open) and saw Novak Djokovic play…you can’t help but fall in love. I love sports that have culture in them. And as a bonus I will add Formula 1 for the drama and action.”

Nqobile played sports during her schooling days – hockey, high jump, sprints and swimming. Her love for cultural activities like dance and drama and the choir made her an allrounder. 

Fun fact – Shekhinah, the award winning singer/songwriter Shekhinah, was in the same school choir as her!

Being able to cover the Olympics and the World Cup have been major highlights in her career so far.

“I also consider that interview with Kelly Rowland high up there and working at the Premier League Studios was elite.” 

Something she is majorly proud of is getting her degree, something she urges people to do – get your education and finish strong!

Keeping to her stance of turning challenges into opportunities, Nqobile also views challenges as growing pains, something you can’t run away from. 

“My parents were strict. While that could be seen as a challenge, I am grateful for having had that upbringing because it has made me who I am today. Everything that has looked like a low has shaped me to become the person that I am today.” 

On relationships and friendships, Nqobile says she is very particular with who she allows into her life. 

“I am so stingy with my love. I am not giving it away to just anybody! I can respect and admire people, recognise the light in others but when it comes to my friendship circle I am so picky. Yes, I am open to letting new people in but I like to surround myself with friends who have things to lose. I have people who can call me to order because we are extensions of each other- genuine people who love me for me.”

When she is not jetsetting or keeping us entertained and in the know about sporting news, Nqobile is making time for her other activities. 

“I love squeezing in activities. I will go to the gym, clean my place and run errands. Go see friends and catch a movie then burn some sage or watch a sermon if I am not feeling my best. I love to catch up on sleep as well!”

She adds more to the list of activities like going to enjoy a game of Padel or go for a swim. One thing she always finds herself doing is going to the mall.

“I have no business being there but you will find me in a mall,” she laughs, explaining that watching movies at the actual cinema is still something she thoroughly enjoys. 

“I also love doing girly pop things like kee-keeing with my friends.” 

Ok, so who is in the gorgeous girl’s DM’s? 

“Look, at Home Affairs I am absolutely single. That’s all you need to know,” she chuckles, “I am most involved with my career and Jesus Christ because He will never leave me nor forsake me.” Facts only. 

She adds: “I am not against love. I love love for people around me, for myself. I want to be in healthy relationships. When we talk love languages, all the love languages resonate with me. But don’t talk to me too much because I do that for a living, but I love attention!” she jokes lightheartedly.

Ultimately what Nqobile wants in a partner is reciprocation. 

“I want someone who will reciprocate what I give. I dedicate a lot of who I am to being with them. Sharing your lives together means having someone who can make me feel the support that I need because I work a lot to do the best for myself and I also want them to do the best for themselves and we can support each other.”

Nqobile’s advice to young girls who look up to her or those who are also looking to end up in the sporting space is to never stop working hard.

“Have a good work ethic. People can see a good work ethic from a mile away, it shows in your body language when you show up to work and how enthusiastic you are to research your work and what you want to do. Align yourself with your purpose, try everything until you find it – you would do it for free if money wasn’t a conversation. Find that thing you do and be you. Mould into the best version of you, bring that person, be humble and always be grateful.”

What does the future look like for the fun loving media personality?

“I will keep letting God surprise me.I dream big and I have been working hard exploring all my talents and gifts, there is a lot I still have not tapped into yet.

There is no limit to what I can explore, just trying to tackle it the best way I can and hoping God guides me to where I need to be. I am shocked every time he leads me in the direction I need to be. He is great like that.”

Nqobile would like to be remembered as someone who made people feel like they could do anything.

“I want people to remember me as someone who lit up the room and made people feel good about themselves. As someone who made people laugh and had a good time around me. I want them to feel like they can do and achieve anything they set their mind to. I want to be remembered as someone who loved life.”

Quick Fire Questions with Nqobile

Heels or sneakers? Both!

Tea or coffee? Coffee

Movies or live music? Movies because sometimes the sound is not that great at live music events

Dinner or brunch?  Dinner is sexy!

Rugby or soccer? Rugby – No DNA, just RSA!

If she was stuck on an island with just three items Nqobile would make sure she had an unlimited supply of food, a Kindle to download some good books to read and a supply of wine and tequila. 

Her current playlist includes a variety of artists.

“I am listening to Tyla, Ayra Starr, Tems, Sabrina Carpenter…anything that pops up on TikTok. There’s also some Major League and Zee Nxumalo in there as well.” 

And we can’t end our conversation without her telling us who some of her favourite content creators are at the moment.

“My favourite right now is Gloria Ngcobo (dancing and fitness influencer and Nqobile’s partner on the Tropika Island of Treasure competition). I also love Primo Baloyi, Rorisang Thandekiso and Candice Modiselle for their God first/Christian content. I love the girls who give us aesthetics – Sni Mhlongo is great. There’s a couple – The Manchester Derby –  I love their content. I’ll put you on to them.”

CREDITS:

Cover star: Nqobile Kwezi

Interview: Bonnie Meslane

Cover story: Mpiletso Motumi

Photographer: Motsocaptures

Editor-in-Chief & Producer: Bonnie Meslane

Managing Editor: Mpiletso Motumi @mane_mpi

Creative Direction: @kgosiLesego

Styling & Wardrobe: Advice by KgosiLesego: @tshego.creates @kgosiLesego

Makeup: @CarolineGreeff

Hair: Zinhle Zikalala @leloartistry

Graphic Design: Herbert Chaunzwa 

Photography team – RTC Studios

Lighting director: Davidblaq 

Digitech: Tyrone Jhns 

Retoucher: Tyrone Jhns