Mpumalanga TikToker turns childhood struggles into inspiration
From selling fruit and amagwinya with her mother to becoming a TikTok creator with over 457 000 followers, Nokuthaba Zikhali has turned adversity into inspiration.
From helping her mother sell fruit and amagwinya to becoming a TikTok content creator with more than 457 000 followers, PhD candidate Nokuthaba Zikhali (28) has transformed a difficult childhood into a story of hope and resilience.
Known on social media as Melanin Thaboew, Zikhali uses her channel to inspire others through her personal experiences, while advocating for education, self-love and the empowerment of dark-skinned women.
“Sometimes dreaming hurts. When you are trapped in hardship, you have absolutely no idea how everything will pan out. Looking back at where I come from, I realise that every painful chapter was quietly preparing me,” she said.
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Zikhali grew up in a disadvantaged household in KwaZulu-Natal. Her mother worked tirelessly to provide for the family by selling sweets, fruit, tomatoes, and amagwinya. Despite financial hardships, Zikhali said acts of kindness helped shape how she perceives life. She recalled receiving a school bag from a woman after carrying a torn one to school.
“She gave me something I did not even realise I desperately needed. That single act of kindness completely shifted how my schoolmates saw me and how I saw myself,” she said.
Growing up, she was bullied because of her dark complexion. When she was in Grade Three, a teacher mocked her in front of the class, and the bullying continued into high school. With support from classmates, she eventually stood up against it and embraced her identity.
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Her determination to succeed academically led her to earn a Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning and development, as well as an Honoursand a Master’s degree in Development studies. She is now pursuing a PhD in Development studies at the University of Mpumalanga.
“I am dedicated to translating complex research into impactful development strategies for rural and under-resourced communities,” she said.
Through the University of Mpumalanga’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator, she travelled to Egypt to represent the institution at the Intra-Africa 2063 competition, where her team claimed first place.
“We didn’t just participate; we conquered. Walking onto that international stage, I realised that the boundaries of my upbringing could no longer contain the magnitude of my destiny,” she said.
