Ziyanda Nkunjana
I come from a village where dreams are often whispered quietly, not because they are small, but because they are precious. A place where fashion magazines feel far away, opportunities feel imported, and success is something you admire from a distance. Yet this is exactly where my story began rooted in soil, village and imagination.
Today I am a fashion, lifestyle, and village-inspired content creator, working at the intersection of storytelling, identity and aspiration. My work exists to prove one thing: that excellence does not have an address, and that a girl from a village can be both grounded and global.
The Work I Am Currently Involved In
At the core of my work is storytelling visual, emotional and intentional content. I create fashion and lifestyle content that celebrates where I come from while embracing where I am going. My platforms are not just aesthetic spaces; they are archives of becoming.
I collaborate with brands in fashion, beauty, food, hospitality, and lifestyle to create content that feels lived-in rather than staged. I approach each partnership with the same question: How do we tell a story that feels honest? Whether I’m shooting content in a rural setting, styling a look against a backdrop of open land or documenting everyday moments my goal is to show that beauty and luxury can coexist with simplicity and authenticity.
Beyond content creation, I am also building towards a bigger vision one that includes fashion design, authorship, and long-form storytelling. I am deeply interested in how personal narrative can shape public perception, and how representation can expand what young people believe is possible for themselves.
The Problem I Am Passionate About Solving
One of the biggest challenges I see especially for young women from rural or underrepresented backgrounds is the belief that they must first leave who they are behind to succeed. There is a quiet pressure to assimilate to soften your accent, to change your story, to become more “acceptable.”I am passionate about dismantling that idea.
Through my work, I challenge the notion that success has one look, one language, or one starting point. I believe representation matters not just in who we see, but in how we see them. I want young girls who look like me, who come from places like mine, to recognize themselves in spaces they were told were not meant for thAnother problem I am deeply invested in addressing is visibility without distortion. Too often, rural life is either romanticized or dismissed. I strive to present it truthfully with pride, dignity, and nuance showing that it can be a source of inspiration rather than limitation.The Impact My Work Is Making
The Impact My Work Is Making
The most meaningful impact of my work often happens quietly, in messages and conversations rather than metrics. I receive notes from young women who tell me they finally feel seen. From people who say my content gave them permission to dream bigger without abandoning home. From brands who say they’ve rethought how they approach inclusivity and storytelling.
In my community, my work has sparked conversations around creativity as a viable career, particularly in spaces where traditional paths are often prioritized. By simply showing up consistently and professionally, I’ve been able to model what is possible not as an exception, but as an example.
Industry wise I aim to shift narratives. I advocate for collaborations that are mutually respectful and creatively expansive, where creators are not just vehicles for marketing but partners in vision. I take pride in delivering work that is thoughtful, strategic, and emotionally resonant. Content that lives beyond a campaign.
What This Nomination Means to Me
This nomination arrived at a very specific and significant moment in my journey. It comes at a time when I am shedding old fears, confronting seasons of rejection, and recommitting to alignment over approval. It feels like a quiet affirmation not that I’ve arrived, but that I am on the right path.
For someone who has often felt like they were building in obscurity, this recognition matters. It reminds me that unseen seasons are not wasted seasons. That consistency counts. That staying true to your voice, even when it feels slower or lonelier, eventually echoes. This nomination is not just about celebrating my work, it is about honoring the courage it took to keep going. To keep creating when the outcome wasn’t guaranteed. To trust that my story, in all its village-rooted specificity, had value.
Looking Ahead
I see my future as expansive and layered. I envision collaborations that push creative boundaries, fashion projects that tell deeper stories, and platforms that amplify voices often overlooked. I want to continue building work that feels meaningful, work that bridges worlds instead of choosing between them. Most importantly, I want my journey to stand as proof that you do not need to erase yourself to be worthy of recognition. That you can come from somewhere small and dream something vast. That your beginnings do not disqualify you, they prepare you. This nomination is not the destination. It is a marker along the road. And I am walking forward with gratitude, clarity, and faith in what is still unfolding.
As an official nominee of the Emerge Africa Awards, Ziyanda’s voting details are shared below for readers who wish to support her through public voting.
