TIME has unveiled its 100 Most Influential Rising Stars list, and there is a familiar name, Nomzamo Mbatha. For those who’ve been following her journey, this recognition is not surprising nor is it about her celebrity status. It is about the evolution of influence, the redefining of advocacy, and the powerful reminder that African voices belong at the center of global change.
Unlike the flagship TIME100 that spotlights global leaders, innovators, and changemakers, the Most influential Rising Stars list is future-facing. It identifies individuals whose work today signals greater influence tomorrow. These are the people shaping culture, policy, and movements at their root, and TIME positions them as “the leaders of the next generation.” Nomzamo is listed in the Advocates category of the list.
For creators, founders, and advocates alike, the Rising Stars list is both an acknowledgment and a challenge—it says: your influence is undeniable, and the world is watching how you will wield it.
In 2025, advocacy has become more than a buzzword. It’s about using platforms to spotlight, protect, and uplift communities often pushed to the margins. It means moving beyond performative gestures, it’s about sustained presence, real-world impact, and structural change.
Nomzamo Mbatha embodies this. From her work with the UNHCR to her global speeches amplifying refugee voices and her work as a Global Citizen ambassador, she has consistently shown that advocacy is not charity, it’s solidarity. It’s not speaking for people but ensuring they are heard on the stages they deserve.
Nomzamo’s journey illustrates how African creators are expanding what influence looks like. Whether she’s in front of the camera as an actress, behind it as an executive producer, a cultural custodian taking ownership of how African history is retold, or as a humanitarian in action, Nomzamo’s advocacy is not occasional; it is deeply embedded in her life’s work.
This duality of being an actress and and an advocate is what makes Nomzamo a natural fit for TIME’s Most Influential Rising Stars list. She doesn’t just use her platform; she is the platform, a walking manifestation of what it means to be influential with purpose.
Nomzamo Mbatha stands as proof that African creatives are shaping the future of global culture by weaving purpose into their craft. The Rising Stars list is a reminder that authentic advocacy, cultural storytelling, and intentional leadership are the currencies of tomorrow’s creator and influencer economy.
Taking to social media, Nomzamo reacted to the recognition saying, “Speechless… Your girl made the 2025 #TIME100NextList and all I have in my little hands are a million thank you’s Still in complete disbelief! What a season. What gratitude to live through all my vision board whispers. @time This one is for KWAMASHU.”
Earlier this year Nomzamo was a speaker at TIME’s Women of the YEAR Leadership Forum held in LA, California. Congratulations, Zamo!
