South African actress, human rights activist, and brand ambassador Nomzamo Mbatha has reached another milestone in her career after being named in the prestigious 2025 TIME100 Next list. This recognition celebrates the world’s most influential rising stars who are shaping the future, and Nomzamo’s name stands tall among them.
Mbatha, who has become a prominent voice for refugee rights through her role as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, shared the news with her Instagram followers, expressing gratitude and disbelief:
“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 🏆.”
The TIME100 Next list celebrates rising stars across industries, from artists and athletes to tech innovators and political leaders. Mbatha shares the recognition with notable figures such as singer-songwriter Teyana Taylor, tennis champion Taylor Fritz, and Guyana’s president Irfaan Ali.
In the advocacy category, she stands alongside inspiring peers like Rose Njeri Tunguru, a Nairobi-based software developer, LGBTQIA+ activist Viktoria Radvanyi, and Sudanese poet and humanitarian Emi Mahmoud.
TIME magazine highlighted Mbatha’s hands-on approach to advocacy:
“From field missions in Malawi, Kenya, and South Sudan with UNHCR to global platforms like TEDx Kakuma, she has amplified refugee voices with empathy and courage … Nomzamo has proved she doesn’t just use her platform. She is the walking manifestation of it.”
Mbatha’s work extends beyond public appearances, with a clear commitment to uplifting marginalized communities, particularly refugees, through awareness, policy influence, and direct engagement on the ground.
Of the changemakers on the list, TIME Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs writes: “While we’ve made it our mission to cover people who have reached the pinnacle of their fields, the TIME100 Next is an opportunity to recognize those still on the rise…we’ve known that true influence knows no age and that it can arrive early in a career. This year’s class is no exception to that tradition.”
In other exciting Nomzamo Mbatha news:
On Oct. 30, TIME will host the fifth-annual TIME100 Next event to celebrate the individuals spotlighted on the 2025 list. The event, which takes place in New York City, will feature a special musical performance by Tate McRae. The event will also feature the presentation of the TIME Earth Award to Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and inspiring remarks from members of this year’s list, including Jonathan Bailey, Nomzamo Mbatha, and more.
