Nandi Madida is a well-known television host, presenter and actress. Interestingly, Nandi has covered different spheres in the entertainment industry. She started off at a tender age as a ballerina lead dancer, she then ventured into hosting and later into music, recording her debut album in 2011.
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After studying law at UKZN Nandi became open to expressing herself as a creative and decided to get qualification at Varsity College.
Nandi isn't only an all-round creative but a mother, and a wife to a South African music legend.
Here's a look at her life.
Nandi Madida Marriage Dissolved
Well, before you make any conclusions, this is not what you think but it's not good either.
Entertainment couple Nandi Madida and Zakhele Madida famously known as Zakes Bantwini decided to dissolve their marriage contract. The couple sought legal grounds to remove Nandi Madida from their joint estates.
Apparently, there was some misunderstanding between them and their marriage officer, which resulted in them mistakenly getting married without a prenuptial agreement, and this automatically landed them in community of marriage.
"As a result of (a) misunderstanding between ourselves and the marriage officer, who conducted the marriage ceremony, we understood incorrectly as it now appears that he would be in position to ensure that our marriage would be out of community of property without the application of the accrual system.
"At all material times, it was the intention of the second applicant and myself to be married out of community of property without application of the accrual system," Zakes' affidavit stated.
Zakes continued his plea by adding that he and his wife Nandi would enter into a post-nuptial notarial contract instead of the accrual system. This is because they both have very successful careers and get paid separately.
Nandi Madida Age
Nandi was born on the 20th of March, in 1988. She is 32 years old.
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Nandi Madida Early Life
The presenter was raised by both her parents, her father Thamsanqa Mngoma who is 58 years old and her mother Thandeka Mngoma who is 57 years old.
Born to father and mother who are doctor and lawyer respectively, Nandi grew up with hopes of one day becoming a lawyer.
The presenter grew up alongside her little sister, Langa Mngoma who took the footsteps of her elder sister, Nandi - and is a recognized fashion mogul.
Nandi Madida Education
Nandi Madida studied at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she did her law degree and thereafter went to Varsity College to do a Media Degree.
During her secondary studies, Nandi wanted to become a journalist but was taken aback by an active journalist who told her that the industry doesn't have money.
Nandi Madida Family
Nandi is married to the South African musician, dancer and a songwriter - Zakes Bantwini. The 38-year-old producer and his wife decided to marry in 2016 after their long-term relationship.
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Nandi's baby
They are blessed with two children, their firstborn son, Shaka Madiba born in 2016 and Queen Nefertiti Madida born in 2019.
The public was rather shocked by the couples wedding which took place in 2016.
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According to the conversation Nandi has had with Drum Magazine, she said:
“A lot of people were surprised about the wedding, but not us and especially not my parents. By the time Zakes proposed, my parents already knew because he had asked them for my hand in marriage. So technically I was the last to know,”
This is what she said to Drum in regard to their counselling which they underwent before they got married.
“Zakes and I went for many sessions of marriage counselling before tying the knot. Those sessions were very insightful into what married life was like and preparing to make that transition from being someone’s boyfriend or girlfriend into being a wife or husband,” she said.
Nandi Madida Career
She started her performance journey at the age of four when she was a lead ballerina in ballet. Nandi made her first television appearance at the age of 15 when she worked as a host and a co-host of a pre-teen entertainment show called Bling that aired in 2004.
Getting back to the industry. Nandi entered a competition in 2010 - which was the SABC 1 presenter search for the music show, LIVE and she became one of the four finalists. Nandi lost the gig which was eventually won by Minnie Dlamini.
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During the same year, she was also in pursuit of the O-Access presenter search but she eventually lost to Dineo Moeketsi.
Throughout her upbringing, Nandi learned the ways around the industry and she took the entertainment industry by storm in 2011 when she released her musical single, Tonight - her debut album was then released in 2012.
In 2013, Nandi joined the South African rap legend and top-ranked MC, Proverb and Dineo Ranaka to co-host All Access Mzansi which is a Mzansi Magic Magazine that aired in 2013.
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The presenter ventured into acting in 2015 and landed a role in the Mzansi Magic television series, The Road. She started as Zokuthuka Dhlomo, and she was often referred to as Zoe on the series.
Nandi co-hosted with Trevor Sineke for the reality television series, Coke Studio which aired on e.tv - on this series, it was the presenter's the first time to be credited by her marital name, Madida, which was following her marriage with the talented musician Zakes Madida.
As the name Nandi was growing, she became a co-host of the BET Entertainment Magazine show which she hosted with Ayanda Thabethe. The show focused on talking in-depth about African fashion, movies, music, girl talk and advice on certain topics. The show would also involve the role to interview artists from red carpet events and interviewing artists at different events.
By this time, she was already known as a creative host and a presenter.
In 2019, she released a single with K.O. titled 'Say You Will' which was an instant hit.
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This was a great collaboration, and based on the success of their 2015 hit Skhanda Love, the pair have that special musical magic.
Nandi Madida Awards
Nandi is considered as an emerging businesswomen to watch and has been recognised by Forbes in 2016, BET in 2016 and the 2018 South African styles award. She has been recognised together with her husband for the most stylish couple.
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Nandi Madida Business
Nandi Madida is a businesswoman who focuses her business in clothing and she has her shoe brand. In 2019, Nandi posted on her Instagram that she was on her way to Paris Fashion Week where she would exhibit her work to the whole work and a higher hierarchy in the fashion departments from all over the world.
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She showcased her COLOUR suit has the hues of ivory, burnt orange, rust, and bronze. As a designer, this range made her get an ovation as it took so many by surprise.
Nandi Madida Brand Endorsements
The BET A-List presenter is all about being comfortable in 'your skin' and in 2018 she revealed that she had landed a gig as a Lux brand ambassador. Speaking about the announcement she said,
“I’m ecstatic about this partnership and honoured to join the ranks of legendary South Africa women who I admire. To be associated with a heritage brand that is loved by, and talks to the varied women of my country, makes me very happy,” said Madida.
She also collaborated with a shoe brand, Aldo South Africa, to create a bespoke shoe collection.
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Nandi became the first South African to collaborate with Aldo and their project known as The Power Woman Edit x Nandi Madida collection, whichproduced some really high fashion designs. These clearly caught the attention of the international fashion leaders and the Aldo market.
In 2018, Nandi was approached by an unknown woman who apparently warned her about the infidelity of her husband.
The news coming from the woman shocked everyone including fans of the husband and the presenter, Nandi. Initially, the couple decided not to entertain the rumours but Nandi reconsidered and decided to make it public by informing everyone on social media that the rumours were nothing but lies.
Nandi spoke on Metro FM and during her radio interview she stated that the couple had a good laugh about the rumour as it held no grounds.
“Make sure your relationship is between you and the person you love, no one has power over it, no one has a say over it and people will always talk, we were laughing. People will try and break something that’s beautiful, there’s nothing you can do,” she said.
Nandi Madida is known to advocate and take part in many campaigns that seek to have a positive impact communities. She always aims to use her platform for the betterment of other people's lives. As far as her career goes, we hope to keep seeing more from her.
