ENDING the year with a bang is Durban’s very own social media influencer, Gloria Ngcobo. The social media darling rose to fame towards the end of 2023 when she posted a viral video on TikTok of herself dancing. 

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With over half a million followers on the platform, Ngcobo has become a shining example of thriving authenticity and fitness. 

As one of the first media outlets to sit down with her in February this year, we caught up with Gloria to learn about her journey in the influencer space and how 2023 has unfolded since she began her rise to fame. 

From collaborating with top brands to appearing on the Tropika Island of Treasure reality show, Ngcobo’s year has been nothing short of transformative. 

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She describes it as a mix of shock and beauty, with the experience of being both overwhelming and rewarding. 

“One of the key takeaways for me has been being on TV. I didn’t realize how much hard work goes into shooting a reality show. There were moments of nerves, but I eventually became more comfortable with it, and that turned out to be an amazing journey,” she shared.

Asked about her growing community on TikTok, whom she affectionately refers to as magenge, Ngcobo said she enjoys the people who connect with her content.

“I enjoy my audience. Most of the people who are drawn to me share a similar sense of humor and personality. I love connecting and engaging with them. There will always be people who don’t like you, but that shouldn’t change who you are,” she said. 

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Reflecting on her success, Ngcobo revealed that building her brand on social media has been an incredible experience, and she’s now focused on turning that platform into a business for the following year. 

 “I’m still figuring out what that looks like exactly, but I’ve been researching, and the next step is to build a business from the foundation I’ve spent the year creating,” she said.

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