Nandi Madida Profile -Biography, Net Worth, Career & Age

Personal Life

Nandi Madida was born on 20 March 1988 in Maphumulo in Kwa-Zulu Natal province. Nandi Madida has three siblings – Langalethu “Langa” Mngoma a doctor and influencer, Norma Mngoma is a businesswoman and is widely known for being the ex-wife of former minister Malusi Gigaba and Thabo Mngoma is her brother.

Nandi Madida was raised by her parents. Nandi Madida’s father Thamsaqna Mngoma was a doctor and her mother Thandeka Mngoma who switched the classroom for the courtroom.

One interesting thing about Nandi Madida is that she dropped her maiden name Mngoma after she got married to her husband Zakes Bantwini whose real name is Zakhele Madida. She once explained on Twitter that she wants to create “one home” for her children hence Madida and not Mngoma Madida.

Schooling

Nandi Madida went to law school despite her desire to pursue journalism. Her change of heart was necessitated by a conversation she has with a practising journalist who told her she won’t make as much money in journalism. Nandi Madida graduated from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and Varsity College. Before that, she was a student at Danville Park High School.

Career

Nandi Madida has proven her versatility in the entertainment industry. She did study law but her professional pursuits have come outside the courtroom. Nandi Madida has always been a performer. At the age of four, she was already a ballerina. This evolved into modelling and she went on to win Miss junior RSA title when she was eight years old.

Her career in television started when she was only 15 years old. She hosted a pre-teen music and movie show on SABC 2 called ‘Bling’. After that, her next television appearance would be in a presenter search show SABC 1 aired in 2010. Nandi Madida was a finalist but lost to Minnie Dlamini. In the same year, she was runners-up in yet another presenter show, ‘O-Access’.

Nandi Madida would eventually get a chance on-screen when she became the co-host of a magazine show, ‘All Access Mzansi’ in 2013. Between 2015 and 2016, she went on to star in a Mzansi Magic soap opera ‘The Road’ in which she played the role of Zokuthula ‘Zoe’ Dhlomo.

In 2016, she co-hosted the second season of the pan-African musical show ‘Coke Studio’. In the same year, Nandi Madida alongside Ayanda Thabethe co-hosted the BET entertainment magazine show ‘BET A-List’. They covered music, fashion, attended red carpet events and interviewed celebrities.

Nandi Madida took her talents to the international stage. In 2017, she became the first South African to host the Afropunk festival, an event that celebrates multiculturalism. Nandi was the perfect host as her values aligned with the theme of the festival. She is very vocal about embracing the African culture.

In 2018, Nandi Madida hosted another BET event, ‘Made in Africa’, a show that highlighted African fashion. Alongside Nomzamo Mbatha, Nandi Madida also represented South Africa in the Global Citizen Festival that was hosted in SA.

Music

Of all her talents, Nandi Madiba admits that music is her favourite. It put her in the spotlight in 2011 after she featured in the single ‘Tonight’ by DJ Franky. Following the success of the song, Nandi Madiba was signed by Sony Music Entertainment Africa. Her first single as a sony artist was ‘Organic’, a song challenging African women to love themselves.

“I want African women to feel good about themselves. We are always being challenged for being who we are naturally but we never get credit for the fact that we actually inspire the world.” Nandi on ‘Organic’.

Nandi Madida released her first single ‘Goodtimes’ in 2012 after which she worked with Zakes Bantiwini on ‘Dance’ in 2015. In the same year, Nandi Madida collaborated with K.O and released the hit ‘Skhanda Love’. The two came together again to make ‘Say You Will’, a song about lovers’ promise to stay together.

Acting

Perhaps one of Nandi Madida’s biggest achievements is her appearance on the musical film and visual Album ‘Black is King’. Nandi Madida was hand-picked by American singer Beyonce who wrote, produced and directed the black pride-themed production. Nandi Madida played Nala, a character that displayed the strength of a woman. Afterwards, Nandi received a thank you gift from Queen Bee for her role in the film.

Business

Nandi Madida launched her clothing line, colour fashion label in 2016. She sells ready-to-wear bespoke ladies suits. In 2018, her clothing line debuted at the New York Fashion Week.

Nandi Madida is also the owner of colourfulbeauty.com, a platform that sells beauty products.

Hair

Nandi Madida definitely makes short hair look cool and stylish. Over the years, we have seen her wear different colours like pink, purple, red and blonde. Nandi Madida’s haircut is always on fleek with the slight trims on the sides, an afro on top and a side-parting.

Relationships

Nandi Madida got married to Zakes Bantwini in 2016. There’s not much to reveal about their relationship as they keep things under wraps. Even so, Nandi shared how he met her husband.

The pair met during the South African Music Awards (SAMA) nominee party. In an interview, Nandi said Zakes professed his love for her at that point but she did not buy into it.

Their subsequent interactions were primarily work-related as Zakes helped Nandi develop her career. In fact, Nandi said that he is part of the reason her career took off rapidly. Nandi Madida and Zakes Bantwini’s romance blossomed and culminated in a private wedding in 2016.

Nandi revealed that she did not intend to get married to a man within the entertainment industry but remains grateful that she actually did. Previously, she feared that it would interfere with the quality of the relationship but it has proven otherwise.

Divorce

Zakes Bantwini and Nandi Madiba’s divorce was not a conventional affair. They approached the Johannesburg High Court to dissolve their marriage contract after they realised they had not signed up a prenuptial agreement which automatically meant they were in a community marriage.

As such, the properties that were being separated include an estate at Morningside Kwa-Zulu Natal and another in Thornhill Modderfontein in Gauteng owned solely by Zakes. Nandi Madida signed an affidavit to give her consent to the separation.

You might be wondering, is Zakes Bantwini still Nandi Madida’s spouse? Yes, a happy one at that. They got married under the ‘in community of property’ which means that in the case of separation, by divorce or death, Nandi Madida is entitled to half of Zakes Bantwini’s wealth.

The couple preferred the ‘out of community of property. Nandi’s husband spotted the mistake when he was going through his personal finances and moved to have the matter rectified immediately.

Nandi Madida family

Nandi Madida and her husband have two children, Shaka Madida born in 2016 and Nefertiti Madiba born in 2019. In the lead up to Nandi Madida’s son arrival, television presenter Minnie Dlamini threw Nandi Madida a surprise baby shower. The pair have known each other since they were seven years old and have remained friends ever since.

Nandi Madida’s second pregnancy was announced through Glamour magazine as she and her husband graced its cover in 2019.

Controversy

Lux campaign drama

Nandi Madida sued PR agent Thamqansa Fakazi also known as Amaru Da Costa for withholding money owed to her for a Lux campaign she was involved in. Nandi did not disclose the amount but confirmed that Lux had wired money to the agent but hadn’t been paid.

Nala comments land Nandi in trouble

Nandi Madida was accused of lying about her son’s school friends recognising her as Nala. Nala is the role that Nandi played in the film ‘Black is King’. Tweeps questioned Nandi’s comments and stated that her own son might not even recognise her as Nala because he is too young thus his friends aren’t in a position to do the same.

Car

Nandi Madida joined the Mercedez family in 2020 after she became Mercedez brand ambassador. She posted a picture on Instagram standing beside her new black Mercedez Benz.

House

Nandi Madida lives a very private life thus the location of her home remains unknown. However, she did give fans a sneak peek into her home when she wished her fans a happy week. Fans were treated with the sight of beautiful pieces of artwork as well as expensive furniture.

Net Worth

Nandi Madiba has had a successful career in television and as a musician. With her ever-growing popularity, there’s no doubt she’s collecting an even bigger paycheck. Thus, Nandi Madiba’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million to $5 million.

Awards & Recognition

2021: Goddess Beauty Recipient of the 4th International Women of Power in Los Angeles

2020: Best Collaboration of the Year for ‘Say You Will’

2019: 100 Most Influential Young South Africans in Media

2019: Aldo International Achievement Awards for her collection The Power Woman Edit in collaboration with her.

Social Media

Nandi Madida Instagram: @Nandi_Madida

Nandi Madida Twitter: @Nandi_Madida

Nandi Madia Facebook: Nandi Mngoma

Q&A

How old is Nandi Madida?

Born on 28 March 1988, Nandi Madida’s age is 34.

Who is Nandi Madida married to?

Nandi Madida is married to musician Zakhele ‘Zakes’ Bantwini. The two tied the knot in 2016 in a private wedding ceremony.

Who is Nandi Madida?

Nandi Madida is an actress, singer, songwriter, and television host who rose to fame after she was featured in the song ‘Tonight’ by DJ Franky.

How many kids does Nandi Madida have?

Nandi Madida has two kids. Her son named Shaka Madida was born in 2016 and her daughter named Queen Nefertiti was born in 2019.

Is Nandi Madida still married to Zakes Bantwini?

Yes. Nandi Madida and Zakes Bantwini are still married. The couple’s divorce in 2021 surrounded the separation of properties and not their union as husband and wife. They celebrated their wedding 5th wedding anniversary in 2021.

Is Nandi Madida still married?

Yes. Nandi Madida is still married to her husband musician Zakes Bantwini. The two got married in 2016.