Nomzamo Mbatha Unfiltered

The It Girl gets candid about human rights, natural beauty and taking on Hollywood.

- NONTANDO MPOSO

the day after Miss South Africa 2020 is crowned, I meet actress, human rights activist and TV personality Nomzamo Mbatha at the luxury Table Bay Hotel. Last night, all eyes were on her as the MC of the pageant. Draped in designer gowns sourced and custom made for her by esteemed local and international fashion designers, she owned the stage, radiating confidence and beauty. When we sit down at the hotel’s empty bar, she’s wearing a flowing summer dress and her face is make-up free. In Beauty Q&A, Nomzamo also appears with no make-up, letting her healthy looking skin take centre stage. Glamour celebrates strong and confident women, who’re comfortable in their skin.

“It was one of the most memorable, nervewracking, exciting, beautiful experiences of my life,” she says of hosting the beauty pageant. “I set out to go on that stage and have a good time. I realised that if I were nervous, then the girls would be too, and I didn’t want that. I grew up watching Miss South Africa. My fondest memory of it was when someone from my neighbourhood, KwaMashu, entered – I remember she made it to the top 20. Everyone was huddled around the TV, watching, and as soon as she stepped onto that stage, I remember taxis hooting and people screaming in the streets. The joy of seeing someone you know experience that kind of spotlight is a big thing. Now I get to host Miss SA. I get to announce the name of the reigning queen, which is beautiful, insane!”