The Zola Nombona Foschini campaign began in October 2022, when the actress announced that she had become a Foschini brand ambassador. Rather than a studio shoot, the campaign video took her back to Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, the town she grew up in, and celebrated her Xhosa heritage and the feeling of returning home, Briefly reported.
The Zola Nombona x Foschini campaign: quick facts
| Detail | What we know |
|---|---|
| Brand | Foschini (Briefly) |
| Announced | October 2022 (Briefly) |
| Filmed in | Matatiele, Eastern Cape (Briefly) |
| Theme | Xhosa heritage and returning home (Briefly) |
| Also listed among her brand work by | Daily Dispatch, April 2023 |
| Her management | To The Max Brand Management (Mail & Guardian) |
Why Matatiele? Zola Nombona’s roots
Zola was born in Mthatha on 10 March 1992, according to Wikipedia, and grew up between Mthatha and Matatiele, as the Mail & Guardian’s Power of Women profile notes. For an actress who had by then spent close to a decade on screen as other people, a campaign set in her own home town was an unusually personal choice.
In the video, her voiceover speaks about going back to the comfort of family and taking time to relax and reset. Briefly noted that the ad struck a chord with viewers, particularly people from Matatiele who recognised their community on screen, and that congratulations poured in from fellow celebrities and fans.
Why the Zola Nombona Foschini campaign stood out
Fashion campaigns often sell aspiration: city skylines, far-off locations, a life most viewers do not live. This one went the other way. It placed a well-known actress in a small Eastern Cape town and made heritage the luxury.
It works because it feels earned. Zola did not need to be introduced to Foschini’s audience as a stranger; she was introduced as someone coming home. As brand ambassador work goes, it was a quiet, confident piece of casting.
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What came after: awards, a decade on screen and a lead role
The campaign landed in a busy stretch of her career. In 2023 she began playing the lead, Fakazile Dosini-Shabalala, in My Brother’s Keeper (Wikipedia). In April of that year she marked ten years in the entertainment industry and was described as a six-time SAFTA nominee by the Daily Dispatch. She has also directed the Salt & Sand music video (Mail & Guardian). For the full story of her roles and awards, read who is Zola Nombona.
Zola’s style evolution: from heritage to burgundy
The Foschini campaign showed a grounded, natural side of Zola. Her later beauty moments have been bolder. In July 2024, TrueLove featured her burgundy hair, a shade it described as “red with a bit of brown”, in a guide to hair colours worth trying.
She has also worn glam by our own team. Her “I’ll make you feel lucky” post on Instagram lists “Glam: @thepenthousebeautystudio”, shot by photographer @kpaparazzi_. You can see more of the looks our stylists create in our client portfolio.
How to get a campaign-ready look of your own
Whether you are shooting content, attending a launch or simply going home for a family celebration, the principles behind a good campaign look are the same:
- Choose hair that photographs naturally. A soft, believable hairline matters more than volume. Fine lace and a well-customised parting read as real hair on camera; our explainer on HD lace shows why.
- Let one feature lead. Heritage prints, a rich colour or a dramatic silhouette: pick one statement and keep the rest of the look calm.
- Match makeup to the light. Outdoor daylight, like the open landscape of a home-town shoot, favours skin-like base and warm tones rather than heavy contour.
- Test before the day. Try the wig, part and makeup at least once before an important shoot so nothing is new on the day.
- Book glam and hair together. Having one team handle both keeps the hairline, makeup and finish working as a single look.
Going home for a family celebration or ceremony?
If you are travelling home for a traditional ceremony, a wedding or a December gathering, the day is often long and your hair may have to sit under a headwrap. A few practical choices help:
- Keep the profile low. A shorter, flatter unit or a sleek bob sits comfortably under a doek and still looks polished when the wrap comes off.
- Choose secure over dramatic. For a full day outdoors, a well-fitted glueless unit or a sew-in will cope better with heat and movement than a freshly glued hairline.
- Consider braids. Knotless braids or French curls travel well, need little styling and can be packed under a wrap for the ceremony itself.
If you want to choose a unit first, browse our wig collection by length, texture and lace.
A homecoming worth remembering
Zola Nombona’s Foschini campaign is a reminder that the most memorable beauty moments are often the most personal ones. If you have your own big day coming, book glam and hair on Fresha, or send our stylists your inspiration on WhatsApp and we will plan the look with you.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Zola Nombona a Foschini brand ambassador?
Yes. Zola Nombona announced her partnership with Foschini in October 2022, as Briefly reported. The Daily Dispatch also listed Foschini among her brand work in a 2023 article marking her ten years in the entertainment industry, so the partnership is well documented in the local press.
Where was Zola Nombona's Foschini ad filmed?
The campaign video was filmed in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, where Zola grew up. She was born in Mthatha and spent her childhood between Mthatha and Matatiele, which is a big part of why the campaign's theme of returning home felt so personal.
What was the Foschini campaign about?
The campaign celebrated Zola's Xhosa heritage and the idea of returning home. In the video, her voiceover speaks about going back to the comfort of family and taking time to relax and reset. Viewers from Matatiele in particular responded warmly to seeing their town on screen.
Who manages Zola Nombona?
According to the Mail & Guardian's Power of Women profile, Zola Nombona is managed by To The Max Brand Management. For brand partnership or booking enquiries, her management company is the appropriate point of contact rather than social media direct messages.
Has Zola Nombona worked with The Penthouse?
Yes. Zola credited The Penthouse Beauty Studio for her glam in an Instagram post captioned "I'll make you feel lucky", with photography by @kpaparazzi_. You can see more of our stylists' celebrity and client looks in our client portfolio on the website.
Sources
- Briefly — Zola Nombona drops video announcing Foschini partnership
- Daily Dispatch — Zola Nombona looks back on 10 years in the entertainment industry
- Wikipedia — Zola Nombona
- Mail & Guardian Power of Women — Zola Nombona
- TrueLove — 5 hair colours to try, as seen on Zola Nombona and others
- Instagram — Zola Nombona, "I'll make you feel lucky" (Glam: @thepenthousebeautystudio)
Written by The Penthouse Beauty Studio team at The Marc, 129 Rivonia Rd, Sandown, Sandton. Prices are in rand, include VAT and were correct at the time of publishing.
