Lasizwe’s Rise: From Soweto Skits to Multi‑Platform Star

South African creator Thulasizwe Dambuza has turned viral videos into TV shows, brand deals and award‑winning streaming content, navigating both online and broadcast worlds.

Early life and the first viral hit

Thulasizwe Siphiwe Dambuza, known simply as Lasizwe, was born on 19 July 1998 in Soweto, South Africa. He attended Meredale Primary and later Mondeor High School. While his mother, Lindiwe Dambuza, worked as a nurse, she also took him to weekly television auditions across Gauteng from an early age. When the family could no longer afford the travel, Lasizwe entered competitions that offered phones or audio‑visual equipment as prizes. Winning a phone in a radio contest gave him the tool to start recording his own videos, which he edited on his mother’s laptop and stored on DVD discs. His first breakout clip, titled “Ek Sal Doom Jou”, satirised a controversial pastor who sprayed congregants with insect repellent. The skit went viral on Facebook, attracting the attention of brands seeking commercial talent. By the time he was a teenager, Lasizwe had built a following by posting relatable, humour‑driven sketches that reflected everyday South African life.

Breaking new ground on MTV Africa and Forbes recognition

In 2020 Lasizwe became the first African creator to host a reality‑TV series on MTV Africa, "Lasizwe: Fake It Till You Make It". The programme ran for three seasons within two years, cementing his status as a pioneer in the continent’s digital‑to‑broadcast pipeline. His success on the channel earned him a place on the Forbes Africa "30 Under 30" list in June 2022, an accolade he dedicated to his late parents on Twitter. The Forbes honour highlighted his transition from street‑level video production to a recognised media personality, a trajectory that would later see him cross over into mainstream television, film and high‑profile brand ambassadorships.

Television, film and live‑event appearances

Beyond MTV, Lasizwe has built a diverse broadcast résumé. He has presented on MTV Base Africa’s "You Got Got", SABC 3’s "The Scoop Africa" and SABC 1’s "The Real Goboza". In 2017 he hosted an outdoor event with Mabala Noise and presented an award at the South African Hip‑Hop Awards. That same year he appeared in a Nando’s TV commercial and became Fanta’s teen marketing director, a role he held from early 2018. His on‑screen acting includes a cameo in the Netflix romantic comedy "Seriously Single" (July 2020) and a role in the e.tv medical drama "Durban Gen" (April 2022). He also hosted the 16th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) in September 2022 and was slated for a cameo in the African Netflix series "Savage Beauty". In September 2023 Lasizwe won the second season of Canon’s reality competition "The Perfect Picture", receiving a trophy, a R150,000 cash prize and Canon equipment worth R100,000. The following year he joined the cast of Trevor Noah’s comedy competition "LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa", competing for a R1 million charity prize.

YouTube ventures and streaming platform moves

YouTube remains the core of Lasizwe’s content empire. By April 2019 he earned the platform’s silver play button for surpassing 100,000 subscribers, and his channel now boasts more than 80 million cumulative views. His flagship series include "Drink or Tell the Truth" (launched April 2021), a game show where celebrity guests choose between answering a probing question or taking a concoction of his own making. In June 2023 he introduced "Awkward Dates", a comedy series that follows him on blind dates with South African celebrities. The show’s first episode aired as a birthday gift in July 2023. Its popularity led to a nomination for Best Online Content at the 2024 SAFTAs. In April 2025 the series was picked up by Mzansi Magic for broadcast, marking Lasizwe’s first major transition from a purely digital format to free‑to‑air television. However, the partnership proved short‑lived. In June 2025 MultiChoice removed "Awkward Dates" from its DSTV platform after a dispute over guest compensation: participants claimed they had only agreed to appear on YouTube, not on mainstream TV. The disagreement prompted both parties to terminate the contract. Continuing his YouTube focus, Lasizwe launched "Nomatriquency: The Funeral" in October 2025, starring his fictional alter‑ego Nomatriquency (also known as "Tricky Baby"). The series further expanded his comedic universe and reinforced his reputation as a creator capable of sustaining multiple recurring characters across platforms.

Brand partnerships and monetisation strategies

Monetisation for Lasizwe has been driven by a blend of traditional endorsements and innovative character licensing. In May 2019 he secured a partnership with GAME Stores after a viral video featured his Nomatriquency character interviewing for a job at the retailer. The collaboration highlighted his ability to turn a comedic persona into a marketable asset. A similar strategy unfolded in September 2021 when he teamed with fast‑food chain Steers for the "#NomatriquencyxSteers" campaign, again positioning his fictional character as a brand ambassador. In June 2024 Volvo Cars South Africa appointed Lasizwe and fellow influencer Thea Booysen as EX30 Champions, promoting the electric vehicle with a fashion‑forward outfit inspired by the car’s interior and generated using AI technology. His early role as Fanta’s teen marketing director (early 2018) and later appearances in Nando’s and Fanta TV commercials illustrate a long‑standing relationship with consumer brands seeking to tap into his youthful, socially engaged audience. These deals, combined with revenue from YouTube ad earnings, sponsorships, and live‑event hosting, have created a diversified income stream that bridges digital and traditional media.

Awards, nominations and recent accolades

Lasizwe’s work has attracted both industry recognition and popular acclaim. In August 2022 he won two Prism Awards for his Nomatriquency persona. He was also nominated for Favourite Personality at the 2022 DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards and for Best Online Content at the 2024 SAFTAs, reflecting his impact across broadcast and digital domains. He received a People’s Choice Award in 2021 and was listed among the top South African YouTubers under 24. Internationally, he earned a nomination as the E! African Social Star in 2021 and a Feather Award nomination for Social Media Personality of the Year. The 2025 South Africa Social Media Awards saw him nominated in three categories: African Social Media Star of the Year, Most Popular Content Across Platforms and Social Media Personality of the Year. In March 2026 he was among the twenty winners of the inaugural Humaz Top 20 Awards, recognising excellence in content creation. His most recent honours include winning the YouTube Creator of the Year award at the 4th Annual Content Creator Awards (October 2026) and a cameo reveal on the third season of "The Masked Singer South Africa" as the celebrity behind the “Sushi” costume (August 2026). These accolades underscore a career that has successfully navigated the evolving landscape of online fame, television exposure and brand partnership.