Zazi Kunene is a South African actress and dancer. She is best known for playing Nolwazi in the Netflix African original production Jiva and for playing Sindi in Smoke and Mirrors.
Born on May 17, 1999, in South Africa, Zazi took to Instagram to appreciate the love of her mother in her life since she was a child until she is now a very well-known actress. She grew up in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. Her mother showed great support, especially after seeing Zazi love acting. Enrolling at a drama school helped improve her confidence. On her Instagram post, she wrote:‘Mkhize. Khabazela wami. Alukho uthando oludlula olwakho Ma wami. Ngibonga uthando kanye nenhliziyo yakho enhle. Ungifundise ukuzithoba kanye nokuhlonipha abantu. Ngathi uNkulunkulu angakugcina. Usazoziqhenya ngami sthandwa sami. Ngikuthanda iscefe oe. ❤️‘
‘Mkhize. My khabazela. There is no love like yours my mother. Thank you for your love and good heart. You taught me how to be humble and respect people. May God keep you. You will still be proud of me baby. I love you annoying oe. ❤️‘In her Instagram post, she reveals that there is no love like other people’s love, appreciating how she raised her to become a good girl. 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.Zazi Kunene made her acting debut in the Mzansi Magic movie Emlanjeni. She played a young girl from a disadvantaged family who worked as a maid but wanted to study at the university.In 2007, the actress landed her first role as King Duncan in Macbeth. She has played many roles since her days in high school.
In 2016, she performed in a re-enactment of the Mbongeni Ngema production Sarafina!, done by the University of Kwazulu-Natal. She landed a role in a Wits School of the Arts Open Forum production, Ukuvuna, at the Soweto Theatre.Zazi performed in the Joburg Theatre production History. She played a role in the production of Vuselela at the National Arts Festival in 2018.The actress landed her first lead role in a short film, Moya, in 2019. It received the Best Student Film award at the 2020 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs).
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.