Luyanda Zuma

Luyanda Zuma (born 3 December 2001) is a South African actress, influencer and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned the first ever Miss Charm South Africa 2023. She represented South Africa in Vietnam and was placed in the Top 6.

She was participated in Miss South Africa 2022 where she was placed in the Top 10 and she is currently Miss South Africa 2025 1st Runner-Up. Beside being a beauty pageant titleholder, she has played starring role in Mzansi Magic notable series Shaka iLembe as Liyana and lead role teen drama Obstruction as Zenokuhle where she rose to prominence.

Early life Zuma was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She grew up in a close knit family with three siblings, her mother is a primary school principal and her father works as a forensic investigator. From a young age, she showed interest in sports and participated in field hockey, and later represented KwaZulu-Natal in provincial hockey. She attended the AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy in Johannesburg, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Live Performance.

Career Besides her pageantry career, Zuma is also an actress. In 2022, she made her television debut in the drama series Uzulu Nomhlaba as Zama. She rose to prominence after playing the lead role of Zenokuhle in a Mzansi Magic drama Obstruction. That same year, she appeared in the Showmax television series Forever Yena portraying the character Naomi.

In 2025, she later starred as Liyana in the popular cultural television series Shaka iLembe season 2. She also had a recurring role in the Showmax drama Adulting season 3 appearing as Mapaseka's close friend. In October 2025, she bagged the starring role in a local drama series Levels as Captain/Pilot Mo while participating in 67th edition of Miss South Africa. In April 2026, she joined Isitha: The Enemy season 4 as Dabulamanzi, powerful and troubled traditional healer. She was a host of Metro FM Music Awards 2026 for the black carpet show with Lamiez Holworthy.

Endorsements She was announced as brand ambassador for the sanitary brand Always, positioning her as a public figure for women's confidence and empowerment. In March 2026, she was appointed as the first Global Goodwill Ambassador for Women African Tourism Board (WATB).

Pageantry Miss South Africa 2022

In 2022, Zuma began her beauty pageant career where she entered the 64th edition of the Miss South Africa pageant. She was selected as one of the Top 10 finalists on 13 June 2022. She represented KwaZulu-Natal hailing from Pietermaritzburg in the competition.

Miss Charm 2023

In 2023, Zuma represented South Africa at the international pageant Miss Charm 2023 held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She was designated as Miss Charm South Africa 2023 by the pageant's national organisers becoming the first South African beauty pageant to held the title. During the competition, she was advanced into the Top 6 finalists.

Miss South Africa 2025

In 2025, Zuma returned to the Miss South Africa pageant, three years after her first appearance in 2022. Her entry video went viral with millions of views and likes all over the internet and social media platforms. She was officially announced as one of the Top 10 finalists on 16 September 2025. She entered the competition with a renewed sense of purpose and using the platform to uplift young people and communities. On 25 October 2025, she was crowned the new Miss South Africa 2025 1st Runner-Up where by Qhawekazi Mazaleni was crowned the winner.

Controversy After Zuma was crowned the new Miss South Africa 2025 first runner-up, the Miss South Africa Organisation warned the public about a scam using her name to solicit fake donations. A social media post falsely claimed to raise R20000 on her behalf. She denied any involvement and urged her followers not to engage with the fraudulent campaign.

Filmography YearTitleRoleNotes 2022 Uzulu Nomhlaba Zama Recurring role2024 Forever Yena Naomi Starring role Obstruction Zenokuhle Lead role , season 1 2025 Adulting Mapaseka's friend Recurring role, season 3 Shaka iLembe Liyana Starring role, season 2 Levels Pilot Mo Starring role, season 1 2026 Isitha: The Enemy Dabulamanzi Supporting role, season 4 Metro FM Music Awards Herself Black carpet host

Awards and nominations Year Association Category Nominated works Result Ref.2025 Feather Awards Hot Chick of the Year Herself National Film and TV Awards Best Newcomer As Liyana on Shaka iLembe season 2 2026 Africa Choice Awards Most Promising Female Movie Star of the Year Herself