Nomzamo Mbatha returns to KwaMashu to help rebuild Dr JL Dube High School

Actress Nomzamo Mbatha has returned to her hometown of KwaMashu to help one of the community's schools. 

She has teamed up with the Cotton On Foundation to rebuild and upgrade Dr JL Dube High School. Nomzamo, who grew up in KwaMashu, is thrilled to be giving back to her community. 

"Dear Dr JL Dube High School... the @cottononfoundation and myself will not only build you an amazing school, but an even more amazing future on the grounds of an empowered learning facility and experience. Thank you for the best welcome back home," she wrote on Instagram.

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The upgraded school will have new sports facilities, digital learning areas, additional staff, mental health programmes and more. 

Speaking to TshisaLive, Nomzamo says she couldn't be prouder of the project. 

"It's a full-circle moment knowing I am a part of the foundation and they chose my hometown, a place that's always seen as destitute, a place always seen as hopeless because of the socioeconomic landscape and hurdles a young person faces. It's good to be home and have my finger on the pulse," she told the publication.

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Nomzamo opened up about her childhood in a 2016 interview with Destiny magazine. She revealed that she did not have a privileged upbringing. 

The 31-year-old had only one dream when she left KwaZulu-Natal, to further her studies.

"My only dream was to go back home and fix my grandmother's house and take care of my family because they were struggling," Nomzamo told the publication. 

More than 10 years later, Nomzamo has gone on to become one of South Africa's most popular entertainers. She has starred in several local series, including 'Isibaya' and 'Umlilo'.

Nomzamo also made worldwide headlines when she starred alongside Eddie Murphy in 'Coming 2 America'.  She is also set to make an appearance in the upcoming film,  'Die Like Lovers' (previously called 'Soul Assassin'), starring Bruce Willis. 

When she is not rubbing shoulders with the likes of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, you can find Nomzamo making the world a better place. 

The humanitarian is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).  

"Many people think that this role is about giving but it’s also about receiving. It’s about receiving and understanding the human spirit, receiving empathy and understanding our common language as human beings," she said in 2019 when she was named a goodwill ambassador.

No matter where her career takes her, Nomzamo always finds her way home! 

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Main image credit: Instagram/@nomzamo_m