Zazi Kunene (born May 17, 1999) is a South African actress and dancer. She is best known for playing Nolwazi in the Netflix African original production, Jiva!
More of her television credits include roles in the SAFTA award-winning films Moya and Pinky Pinky on Showmax.
Zazi Kunene was born in South Africa on May 17, 1999. She grew raised in the KwaZulu-Natal town of Pietermaritzburg. She was shy as a youngster because she stammered, and she was tormented at school.
In grade 11, the talented actress found her talent as a performer. She was a part of the production of Sarafina by UKZN Pietermaritzburg. She had appeared in many other dramatic performances.
Her mother showed great support, especially after seeing Zazi love acting. Enrolling at a drama school helped improve her confidence.
Her mother enrolled her at the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy. Zazi studied drama at the University of Witwatersrand. She paused her final year in school to pursue her dream. She chose to be in a Netflix dance production and does not regret it.
Emlanjeni, a Mzansi Magic film, marked Zazi Kunene’s acting debut. She portrayed a young girl from a low-income household who worked as a maid but aspired to attend university.
The actress received her first role as King Duncan in Macbeth in 2007. She has had a variety of roles since she was in high school.
In 2016, she appeared in a re-enactment of Mbongeni Ngema’s Sarafina! by the University of Kwazulu-Natal. She earned a part in Ukuvuna, a Wits School of the Arts Open Forum play at the Soweto Theatre.
Zazi appeared in the show History at the Joburg Theatre. In 2018, she appeared in the National Arts Festival performance of Vuselela.
In 2019, the actor received her first starring role in a short film, Moya. At the 2020 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), it won Best Student Film.
Next on her acting credits is a role in the made-for-television film Emlanjeni. She also displayed an unmatched acting performance in the horror film Pinky Pinky.
The actress hopes to venture into other genres in the future, including a romantic comedy. She received a call for an audition for the role of Nolwazi in the Netflix African original production, Jiva.
Zazi Kunene is a Christian who is single. She struggled and triumphed over body issues and other people’s perceptions of her. In the past, she was concerned about her weight and appearance.
Zazi was fat as a child, and after she got into the profession, she wanted to slim down. Off-screen, she spends time with friends and goes to the gym.
