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Lasizwe
Lasizwe on MacG Podcast
Born
Thulasizwe Siphiwe Dambuza[1]

(1998-07-19) 19 July 1998 (age 26)
Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
Other names
  • Lasizwe
  • Babes Wamaleyvels[2]
  • Sweerie[3]
  • Nomatriquency
Education
  • Meredale Primary School
  • Mondeor High School
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Media personality
  • Television personality
  • YouTuber
  • Social media influencer
Years active2015–present
Relatives
YouTube information
Personal information
Born
Thulasizwe Siphiwe Dambuza

Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
ChannelsLasizwe Dambuza
Years active2017–present
Subscribers970,000+
(12 October 2024)
Total views116.9 million
(12 October 2024)
100,000 subscribers2019
Last updated: 24 January 2023
Websitewww.lasizwe.co.za

Thulasizwe Siphiwe Dambuza (born 19 July 1998), known professionally as Lasizwe, is a South African actor, media personality, TV host, YouTuber and social media influencer. He rose to fame by humorously interpreting everyday human behaviour. Notably, he broke new ground as the first African to helm a reality TV show on MTV Africa "@Lasizwe: Fake It Till You Make It," garnering three successful seasons in less than two years. This earned him a spot on the Forbes Africa 30 under 30.[5] He is the creator and host of the YouTube series Awkward Dates, in which he goes on blind dates with various celebrities.[6]

Early life and education

[edit]

Lasizwe was born in Soweto, South Africa. He attended Meredale Primary, a mixed-race primary school in Meredale, south of Johannesburg, and then attended Mondeor High School in Mondeor. His mother, Lindiwe Dambuza (died in 2016) was a 40-year-old nurse at Lesedi Private Hospital, in a relationship with his father, Menzi Mcunu.[7]

Along with his mother, his sister, Zonke Nkabinde, played a major role in his life, guiding and protecting him. Lasizwe noticed there was something different about him: that he was uncomfortable around boys but could relate to any feminine topic. At the age of 15 he recognized that he was gay.[8]

Career

[edit]

Before starting his career, Lasizwe's mother took him for television auditions on a weekly basis across Gauteng from primary school. At the age of 12, she sat him down and explained that the weekly auditions were no longer financially viable for their family. He entered various competitions that gave away phones or audio-visual equipment. It was when he won a phone from a radio competition, which he used to start creating his first batch of content. Using his mother's laptop to record and learn basic video editing, he stored the videos on DVD discs and watched himself on the TV screen. The urge to be on TV led him to post videos on Facebook, and ultimately create relatable South African content.[9] His first breakout video, Ek Sal Doom Jou, which was a skit based on news reports of a controversial pastor that sprayed the faces of his congregants with insect repellent in church. The video went viral which led to different brands approaching him for commercials.[10]

Between 2020 and 2021, he managed to raise R2 million to impact students that were in need of registration fees. This was in light of the protests that took place in South Africa, where students were protesting for 'Fees must fall' and impacted the lives of 313 students, through the "R10 goes a long way" campaign.[11]

In June 2022, he was featured on the Forbes Africa '30 Under 30'. Dambuza dedicated this achievement to his late parents. He wrote on Twitter:

From making videos using a phone in the streets of Pimville Soweto to making it onto #Forbes30Under30. Anything is possible. I dedicate this award to all my parents. I wish I had the opportunity to see their reactions this... Your boy is on FORBES.[12]

Broadcast media

[edit]

Lasizwe has made appearances on MTV Base Africa's You Got Got as one of the main presenters, and has presented on SABC 3's The Scoop Africa and SABC 1's The Real Goboza. He hosted an outdoor event with Mabala Noise and presented an award at the 2017 South African Hip Hop Awards. He was featured in a Nando's TV commercial and on Fanta's TV commercial as their new teen marketing director. In late 2017 he became a radio presenter on TouchHD. In 2018 he landed a role in hosting e.tv's youth show Craz-e World Live as well as VOOV TV's new show VOOVScoop.[13][14][15][16][17][18]

In May 2019, he secured himself a deal to partner with GAME Stores. The deal followed after he had posted a video on his social media platforms that depicted his famed character "Nomatriquency" undergoing an interview for a position at GAME.[19]

In July 2020, he starred on the Netflix movie, Seriously Single.[20] In November 2020, he was the host of the SABC 1 and Telkom music show, Telkom Monate Vibes.[21]

In September 2021, he partnered with Steers in the #NomatriquencyxSteers campaign that saw his famed character Nomatriquency getting a job at the brand.[22] Later that year, he was the host of a Comedy Central Roast spin-off show.[23]

On 1 April 2022, he starred on the e.tv television series Durban Gen.[24] In that same month, he was nominated for favourite personality at the 2022 DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards.[25] He is also set to make a cameo appearance on the African Netflix series, Savage Beauty.[26]

In August 2022, Lasizwe won two Prism Awards for his online persona Nomatriquency.[27] On 3 September 2022, he hosted the 16th edition of the annual South African Film and Television Awards.[28]

In September 2023, he was the winner of the second season of Canon’s hit reality TV series, The Perfect Picture.[29] On November 2023, he was a cast member on Trevor Noah’s comedy series competition, LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa, where the cast of entertainers compete for a R1 million prize on behalf of the South African charity of their choice.[30]

In May 2024, Lasizwe was part of the panel for the Showmax and Laugh Africa Comedy, Roast of Minnie Dlamini.[31]

Music

[edit]

In December 2017, he was featured in Babes Wodumo and Ntando Duma's music video for the song "Jiva Phez'kombhede".[32]

YouTube

[edit]

Lasizwe is a YouTuber with more than 80 million views on his videos. In April 2019, Lasizwe received the silver play button from YouTube for reaching 100,000 subscribers.[33]

On June 2023, Lasizwe launched his new YouTube show, Awkward Dates. The first episode aired on his YouTube channel in July, serving as a birthday present for him. The Youtube series is a comedy show where Lasizwe goes on blind dates with various celebrities.[6]

Speaking about what inspired the show, he told Daily Sun that the idea came during some of the darkest times of his life:

I was going through a lot of depression and wasn’t creative. One day, I watched a show called Chicken Shop Date by a UK content creator and got inspired. I started thinking about how I could make it better and more personal.[34]

Following the show’s success, it was nominated for Best Online Content at the 2024 South African Film and Television Awards.[35]

Endorsements

[edit]

In early 2018 Lasizwe became Teen Marketing Director for Fanta.[36]

He was nominated for a Feather Award for Social media Personality of the Year,[37] and presented with a People's Choice Award in 2021. He has also been named one of the top YouTubers in South African under the age of 24.[38] In 2021, he was nominated as The E! African Social Star.[39] He is also the first South African to secure an endorsement deal for a fictional character that he named "Nomatriquency".[40]

In September 2023, he was winner of season 2 of Canon’s hit reality TV series, The Perfect Picture, where he was awarded a coveted trophy along with a cheque of R150,000 and R100,000 worth of Canon gear.[41]

In June 2024, Volvo Cars South Africa appointed Lasizwe and Thea Booysen as EX30 Champions to promote the company's newest electric vehicle, the EX30.[42] During the campaign Lasizwe showcased a Autumn-Winter'24 Ready-to-Wear outfit designed by local fashion designer Nao Serati, which was inspired by Volvo’s interior using AI technology.[43]

Filmography

[edit]
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2010 Generations
Himself
Extra, soap opera
2015 Dinner With Vuzu
Contestant, TV show
2017 MTV You Got Got
Main cast, TV show
The Scoop Africa
The Real Gaboza
2018 Craz-e World Live
VOOVScoop
MTV You Got Got
2019–present @Lasizwe: Fake It till You Make It
2020 Seriously Single starring role
Telkom Monate Vibes Host
2022 Durban Gen Occurring role
Savage Beauty cameo appearance
2023 LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa Contestant, TV show
The Perfect Picture Contestant (winner), TV show
2024 Laugh Africa Comedy: Roast of Minnie Dlamini Panel, TV show

Awards and recognition

[edit]
Year Award Category Result
2018 Avance Media Awards Ranked #7 on the 100 most influential young South Africans Won[44][45]
Lifestyle category Won[46]
2019 Feather Awards Social Media Personality of the Year Nominated[37]
2021 People's Choice Awards African Social Star 2021 Nominated[47]
2022 2022 DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards Favourite personality Nominated[48]
Prism Awards Media relations (Gold) Won[27]
Prism Awards Media relations (Silver) Won[27]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Lasizwe Dambuza on Vuzu". vuzu.dstv.com. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  2. ^ "#ShadeAlert: Watch Somizi Take On Bonang & Pinky Girl". peoplemagazine.co.za. Archived from the original on 12 May 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Lasizwe's New Acting Gig Gets Mixed Reactions". zalebs.com. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Khanyi Mbau on her brother Lasizwe's viral videos: I'm very proud, it's in our blood". channel24.co.za. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  5. ^ "'@Lasizwe Fake It till You Make It' returns for third season". iol.co.za. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Lasizwe announces new celeb show 'Awkward Dates'". timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Lasizwe Dambuza opens up about losing his mother at 18". zalebs.com. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Thulasizwe 'LaSizwe' Dambuza on being gay". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  9. ^ "What it takes to be a YouTube star – Lasizwe gives some insights". News24. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Lasizwe's show lets fans in his world". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  11. ^ "Lasizwe and friends return with the #R10RandGoesALongWay initiative to help the Class of 2021". News24. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  12. ^ "Lasizwe makes Forbes' 30 under 30 list". news24.com. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  13. ^ "Lasizwe joins the MTV You Got Got crew". msn.com. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  14. ^ "SAíS PARODY KING LASIZWE JOINS MTVíS YOU GOT GOT TEAM". mtv.co.za. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  15. ^ "Your favourite Youtube sensations that have turned into A-Listers". zalebs.com. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Lasizwe tells us about his spicy new show on Touch HD". channel24.co.za. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  17. ^ "LASIZWE ROCKS A TOWEL TO THE SA HIP HOP AWARDS!". dailysun.co.za. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  18. ^ "Lasizwe lands two TV gigs". channel24.co.za. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  19. ^ "YouTube sensation Lasizwe signs deal with major retail brand". iol.co.za. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  20. ^ "Lasizwe to star in upcoming Netflix film 'Seriously Single'". citizen.co.za. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  21. ^ "TELKOM MONATE VIBES, AIRS THIS SUMMER WITH LASIZWE AND ANELE ZONDO". lamag.africa. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  22. ^ "Lasizwe bags new Steers campaign. Here's all the times he's made us laugh by serving us in store". gq.co.za. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  23. ^ "Lasizwe is back for 'revenge' as host of Comedy Central Roast". timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  24. ^ "Lasizwe Dambuza spotted on e.tv's 'Durban Gen'". iol.co.za. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  25. ^ "DStv Content Creator Awards 2024: All the winners". musicinafrica.net. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  26. ^ "The trailer for Netflix's newest African series, Savage Beauty". news24.com. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  27. ^ a b c "Lasizwe's Nomatriquency bags 2 Prism Awards". iol.co.za. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  28. ^ "Lasizwe to host Saftas red carpet". sundayworld.co.za. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  29. ^ "Lasizwe crowned winner of 'The Perfect Picture' season 2". iol.co.za. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  30. ^ "See the 'home-grown comedy stars' who join Trevor Noah in LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa". news24.com. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  31. ^ "Celeste Ntuli, Lasizwe, Robert Marawa: All star panel assembled for 'Roast of Minnie Dlamini'". iol.co.za. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  32. ^ "Lasizwe Is Coming For Everything And His New Song Proves It". huffingtonpost.co.za. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  33. ^ "Lasizwe awarded silver play button from YouTube for reaching 100k subscribers". channel24.co.za. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  34. ^ "Lasizwe reveals how dark times inspired Awkward Dates". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  35. ^ "Lasizwe Gushes Over His Show Bagging A SAFTA Nomination". youthvillage.co.za. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  36. ^ "Lasizwe Dambuza the new Teen Marketing Director for Fanta". msn.com. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  37. ^ a b "2019 Feather Awards nominees announced". enca.com. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  38. ^ "Podcaster MacG and Lasizwe among top YouTube creators in 2021". timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  39. ^ "The E! African Social Star of 2021 nominees are here". news24.com. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  40. ^ "Lasizwe bags an endorsement with Steers for his Nomatriquency character". sundayworld.co.za. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  41. ^ "Lasizwe crowned winner of 'The Perfect Picture' season 2". iol.co.za. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  42. ^ "Volvo appoints Lasizwe Dambuza and Thea Booysen as EX30 Champions". timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  43. ^ "Lasizwe Dambuza models locally made garment with AI technology". iol.co.za. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  44. ^ "Lasizwe named one of the top 10 most influential young South Africans". channel24.co.za. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  45. ^ "Lasizwe's influence is reaching new heights". timeslive.co.za. 6 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  46. ^ "How did Lasizwe beat Bonang on "influential list" ranking?". all4women.co.za. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  47. ^ Mazibuko, Thando (3 November 2021). "Lasizwe Nominated for Peoples Choice Awards! - Mgosi". Mgosi. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  48. ^ "The DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards are back". news24.com. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
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