Teen Actress Zekhethelo Zondi Emerges as South Africa’s Next Breakout Star
South African teen actress and model Zekhethelo Zondi is quickly becoming one of the most promising young talents in the country’s entertainment industry, following a standout performance in the film Laundry (Uhlanjululo).
The film recently made its world premiere in the Discovery section at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, before opening the 2026 Joburg Film Festival. The international and local festival recognition has already positioned the project—and Zondi’s performance—on a global stage.
In Laundry, Zondi plays Ntombenhle, a young girl growing up in South Africa in 1968 during the apartheid era. Her character stands out for her strong-willed personality and unconventional dreams in a deeply restrictive society. Although not the main lead, Ntombenhle’s emotional depth and character arc leave a lasting impression on audiences.
Speaking about the role, Zondi explained that it pushed her far beyond her comfort zone. Unlike her previous characters, Ntombenhle is highly technical and deeply immersed in the world of machinery.
“She is technical, messy, and deeply focused on machines I knew nothing about, which I found really interesting,” Zondi said. “I liked that the role forced me to step out of my comfort zone and fully step into her world.”
To convincingly portray the character, she had to learn about laundromat equipment and adopt a completely different mindset. She also had to adjust her appearance and habits to reflect Ntombenhle’s lack of concern for personal grooming, focusing instead on her obsession with machines.
“That transformation challenged me mentally and physically,” she added.
For the young actress, seeing Laundry screened at major festivals has been both surreal and rewarding. She expressed gratitude that the film is receiving international recognition, calling it an important story that deserves global attention.
Zondi also believes that the success of productions like Laundry signals a positive shift for African cinema. As South African films gain more visibility, she expects increased international collaboration and more opportunities for local talent to tell authentic African stories.
Her acting journey began at just seven years old when she appeared in the Netflix series Shadow. Over the years, she has built an impressive portfolio with roles in popular productions such as Scandal!, Isifiso, Shadow, Collision, and A Grave Confession.
One of her breakthrough moments came in 2022 when she portrayed Nozi Gambu in Isifiso. She credits the experience, along with guidance from industry professionals, for deepening her love for acting and storytelling.
“I learned so much about performance and storytelling… and the experience made me fall in love with acting even more,” she said.
Zondi’s talent has also been recognised within the industry. In 2024, she earned a nomination for Outstanding Young Performer at the Royalty Soapie Awards, a moment she describes as deeply motivating, even though she did not win.
“I felt incredibly honored… It motivated me to keep working hard and growing as an actress.”
Now 15, Zondi balances her demanding acting career with education, a challenge she manages through discipline and strong time management. She says juggling school, work, and personal life has taught her focus and organisation.
Beyond acting, Zondi is also a model, public speaking champion, and beauty titleholder, having been crowned Miss Teen Globe South Africa 2023 and Miss Teen Gauteng South Africa 2023. She is also an avid hockey player and has expressed interest in expanding into cinematography, directing, and writing.
She revealed that she is currently involved in two feature films in post-production, teasing audiences with expectations of drama, emotion, and unexpected twists.
Looking ahead, Zondi has clear ambitions for her future in the industry. In five years, she hopes to move beyond acting into storytelling from behind the camera as well.
“For me, success looks like producing, writing, and directing my own stories on a global stage,” she said, “while continuing to sharpen my craft as both an actress and aspiring cinematographer.”
With her rapid rise, versatility, and ambition, Zekhethelo Zondi is increasingly being seen as one of South Africa’s most exciting young talents to watch.
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Zekhethelo Zondi, South African actress, teen actress, Laundry Uhlanjululo, Toronto International Film Festival, Joburg Film Festival, Netflix Shadow, Isifiso, Scandal eTV, Collision Netflix, A Grave Confession, young actress, African cinema, apartheid film, rising star, teen model, Miss Teen Globe South Africa, Miss Teen Gauteng, Royalty Soapie Awards, South African film industry
