Lasizwe Dambuza Bio: Age, Sister Khanyi Mbau, Net Worth & Career
Lasizwe Dambuza is a South African media personality, actor and YouTuber whose hilarious, relatable skits on everyday South African life made him one of the country’s biggest online stars. Known for characters such as Nomatriquency, he became the first African to front a reality show on MTV Africa with Lasizwe: Fake It Till You Make It and earned a place on the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Thulasizwe Siphiwe Dambuza |
| Nick Name | Lasizwe, Sweerie, Nomatriquency |
| Profession | Media personality, actor, YouTuber, content creator |
| Birth Date | July 19, 1998 |
| Age | 28 years 3 months old |
| Birth Place | Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Known For | Lasizwe: Fake It Till You Make It, YouTube comedy skits |
| Ethnicity | Black African (Zulu) |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Height | Not publicly disclosed |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Eye Colour | Dark brown |
| Qualification | Mondeor High School |
| Religion | Christian |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Spouse | None |
| Children | None |
| Family Tree | Half-sister: Khanyi Mbau; mother Lindiwe Dambuza (d. 2016) |
| Hobbies | Acting, content creation, fashion |
| Current Work | YouTuber and TV personality |
| Years Active | 2015–present |
| Net Worth | Estimated R8–9 million (about $500,000) |
Related Names: Khanyi Mbau, Babes Wodumo, Somizi Mhlongo, Trevor Noah and other South African entertainment figures.
Early Life & Education
Thulasizwe Siphiwe Dambuza was born on July 19, 1998, in Soweto, Johannesburg. He attended Meredale Primary School, a mixed-race school south of Johannesburg, and later Mondeor High School. His mother, Lindiwe Dambuza, a nurse at Lesedi Private Hospital, died in 2016, and his half-sister is the well-known actress and media personality Khanyi Mbau.
From primary school his mother took him to television auditions across Gauteng every week. At 12, she explained the auditions were no longer affordable. Undeterred, he entered competitions to win phones and equipment, and he realised he was gay at around 15.
Career Journey
Viral Beginnings (2015–2018)
Lasizwe used his mother’s laptop to edit his earliest videos and posted skits on Facebook. His breakout video, Ek Sal Doom Jou — based on news reports of a controversial pastor who sprayed congregants with insect repellent — went viral, and brands soon came calling. In early 2018 he became Fanta’s Teen Marketing Director.
Television & MTV Reality Show (2017–2020)
He presented MTV Base Africa’s You Got Got, SABC 3’s The Scoop Africa and SABC 1’s The Real Goboza, hosted Craz-e World Live and VOOVScoop, and made his mark in 2019 with Lasizwe: Fake It Till You Make It on MTV Africa — becoming the first African to helm a reality show on the channel. In 2020 he starred in the Netflix film Seriously Single.
YouTube & Forbes Recognition (2021–present)
He launched the YouTube show Drink or Tell the Truth (2021) and Awkward Dates (2023), nominated for a SAFTA. In 2022 he was named in the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list and won two Prism Awards for his Nomatriquency persona. In 2023 he won season two of Canon’s The Perfect Picture and joined Trevor Noah’s LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa. In 2025 he launched the series Nomatriquency: The Funeral.
Career Stats
- YouTube subscribers: Over 1.19 million
- Forbes Africa 30 Under 30: 2022
- Prism Awards: Two (2022)
- First African MTV Africa reality host: Fake It Till You Make It
- Years active: 2015–present
Personal Life
- Marital status: Single
- Sexual orientation: Openly gay (realised at around 15)
- Family: Half-sister Khanyi Mbau; mother died in 2016
- Residence: Johannesburg, South Africa
Dating History and Affairs
Lasizwe has been open about his sexuality but keeps his romantic life largely private. He has been linked to several partners in the South African press, though he rarely confirms relationships publicly, at times joking about his “single” status. He has spoken candidly about depression and about the pressures of fame.
Controversies
In 2025 his Mzansi Magic show Awkward Dates was removed from DStv by MultiChoice amid a dispute in which some guests claimed they had agreed only to appear on YouTube and demanded payment — leading Lasizwe and MultiChoice to end their contract. Earlier online spats with other South African celebrities also drew headlines.
Awards & Achievements
- Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 (2022)
- Two Prism Awards for Nomatriquency (2022)
- Winner, The Perfect Picture season 2 (2023)
- YouTube Silver Play Button (2019)
- Humanz Top 20 Awards, Digital Star (2026)
Physical Statistics
- Height: Not publicly disclosed
- Weight: Not publicly disclosed
- Hair Colour: Black
- Eye Colour: Dark brown
Quotes
“From making videos using a phone in the streets of Pimville Soweto to making it onto #Forbes30Under30. Anything is possible.”
— Lasizwe Dambuza, on his Forbes Africa recognition (2022)
Favorites
- Favourite Character: Nomatriquency
- Favourite Platform: YouTube
- Interests: Fashion and comedy
Earnings
Lasizwe Dambuza’s net worth is estimated at around R8–9 million (roughly $500,000). His income comes from YouTube monetisation, brand endorsements (including Fanta, GAME, Steers and Volvo), television presenting, acting and personal appearances.
Interesting Facts
- His half-sister is the TV star Khanyi Mbau.
- He learned video editing on his late mother’s laptop.
- His Nomatriquency character landed a real brand deal with Steers.
- He raised over R2 million to help students pay registration fees.
Did You Know Already?
- He was the first African to front an MTV Africa reality show.
- He made the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list in 2022.
- His YouTube channel has more than a million subscribers.
Social Media Links
- Instagram: @lasizwe
- YouTube: Lasizwe Dambuza
- Website: lasizwe.co.za
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lasizwe Dambuza?
Lasizwe Dambuza is a South African media personality, actor and YouTuber known for his comedy skits and the MTV Africa show Fake It Till You Make It.
How old is Lasizwe Dambuza?
He was born on July 19, 1998, making him 28 years 3 months old.
Who is Lasizwe’s sister?
His half-sister is the South African actress and TV personality Khanyi Mbau.
Is Lasizwe gay?
Yes, Lasizwe is openly gay and has spoken publicly about realising his sexuality as a teenager.
What is Lasizwe Dambuza’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at around R8–9 million.
Conclusion
From editing videos on his mother’s laptop to becoming a Forbes-recognised star, Lasizwe Dambuza has built one of South Africa’s most recognisable online brands. His comedy, characters and honesty about his life keep him at the forefront of the country’s entertainment scene.
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