THE STORY
Nkiyase Mondlana Mbatha (NKIYASE) is a South African musician, actress, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose career spans over 25 years. Born on 23 September in Alexandra, South Africa, into a spiritually rich family, Nkiyase was inspired by her father’s love of music and began performing at school at the age of seven. In 1997, she was crowned the first Miss Alex FM, a community radio station in Alexandra.
Music Career
Her music career took off in 2000 when she joined Petite, the country’s first female kwaito group, formed by Mr Dennis Madondo. She later joined Kalawa Jazmee Records, featuring on Trompies’ international hit Malabulabu, and collaborated with legendary South African artists including Oskido, Arthur Mafokate, Keith Thompson, and many others. She was also signed under KZN Music House, a company founded by Dr. Mbongeni Ngema, where she released two albums and worked with him on various musical projects.
Nkiyase’s solo career includes four studio albums: Lebota (2009) and Mudar É Bom (2011), which celebrate her Mozambican heritage; I Am Who I Am (2022), featuring notable producers and artists such as Joe Nina, FakeAno, 2woshort, Olax Tambo, and Mercy Pakela; and I Am One in a Million (2025), a milestone marking her 25-year career. Her international presence includes touring Germany during the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the UK in 2007 to promote kwaito music globally.
Philanthropy & Business
Beyond entertainment, Nkiyase is deeply committed to philanthropy. Living with dyslexia, she founded the YES I AM DYSLEXIC campaign through the Momba Foundation to raise awareness about dyslexia and mild intellectual disabilities in South African townships and rural communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her foundation, in partnership with SDI Force, raised over R2.5 million in three days, providing food relief to more than 10,000 families. In 2022, collaborations with Peers & Fisher Optometrists, Adreach, and SDI enabled over 2,000 school transport operators to receive free eye tests and eyewear.
In business, Nkiyase has served as a shareholder and director of Adreach, a national out-of-home advertising company, and is the Co-Founder and CEO of Momba Empire, a holding company that owns Momba Muziki, her recording company.
Nkiyase Mondlana Mbatha is a multi-talented artist, entrepreneur, and changemaker, whose enduring career and commitment to social impact continue to inspire audiences across generations, proving that with resilience and faith, one truly can be “one in a million.”