Whether she’s lighting up stages, launching tech startups, or uplifting creatives through her foundation work, Thaba Nyaba is a force of nature—bold, brilliant, and constantly breaking new ground.
With roots in entertainment and a growing footprint in innovation, Thaba wears many crowns with ease: artist, founder, student, visionary. As the powerhouse behind “Battle of the Kreativz” and “The World’s Greatest Foundation”, she’s on a mission to nurture young talent and create platforms where creativity can thrive.
In this Youth Month feature, Thaba gets candid about the power of softness, faith, and ambition — and why this generation isn’t doing too much, we’re just doing what we were born to do.
1. What’s one thing you wish older generations understood about Gen Z?
That we’re not confused, we’re multifaceted. We’re not indecisive , we’re expansive. We don’t want to be boxed into one identity or path, because we’re not linear beings. I don’t believe we have to choose one lane when we were born to build highways. That’s the spirit of our generation, bold enough to create more than one future, gifted enough to wear more than one crown.
We want lives that reflect our complexity, not just our careers. We’re artists and activists, coders and creators, business minds and believers. So no, we’re not doing “too much”, we’re just doing what we were called to do.
2. If your current energy were a TikTok sound, what would it be?
“Soft” by Nasty C & Usimamane
“Working hard just to live soft-soft, so I could be like Rick Ross, boss.”
“ Dream chasing, I ain’t slowing down now, I need a jet with a big… lounge.”
This sound speaks to me deeply because it mirrors my current season.
I’m in my boss era, but not just for the aesthetic. I’m working with intention, grinding not to burn out, but to build a life that feels as good as it looks. A life of softness, stability, and overflow. That “jet with a big lounge” isn’t just a flex , it’s symbolic of dreaming big, living free, and carving out space for yourself in a world that told you to shrink.
3. You’ve got a billboard in the heart of Joburg CBD. What does it say?
I’m a woman of abundance so I’d have multiple billboards across JHB CBD . With that being said here are what my 4 billboards will say:
1. “Being YOU is your real flex. Don’t dim that.”
2. “Make your presence impactful, not just visible.”
3. “Gratitude is the gateway to overflow.”
4. “You are becoming everything you once prayed for.”
4. Who’s your Youth Day icon—past or present—and why?
I don’t have one single Youth Day icon — but I hold deep reverence for the youth of 1976. Their resilience, their courage to stand against injustice, and their willingness to risk it all for what they believed in… that changed the course of this country.
Today, I honour every young person who’s a trailblazer in their space — those who are making magic out of limited resources, building from nothing, and creating paths where none existed. Whether the world sees them or not, I salute the unstoppable fire in young people who wake up every day, not just to survive, but to transform their lives, uplift their families, and break generational cycles.
That, to me, is the spirit of Youth Day — radical hope and brave action.
5. Describe the South Africa you’re building—using just three emojis.
🤝🌍✨
(Where collaboration meets compassion, and we all shine.)
I envision a South Africa built on ubuntu, where the pie is big enough for everyone. A place where we understand that we rise by lifting others, and empowering someone else doesn’t threaten your own greatness — it multiplies it. It’s a nation of unity, where support, goodness, and collaboration aren’t optional, they’re the standard.
6. What’s your ultimate local flex—something proudly South African you’ll always brag about?
Amapiano. Period. The culture, the vibe, the way it brings us together, it’s more than music, it’s a movement. It reflects our rhythm, our soul, and our ability to create joy even in chaos.
Also, our ability to laugh at anything? Unmatched. We’re a joyful, vibrant, hilariously unserious nation (in the best way). And don’t even get me started on our talent, from sports to science, from fashion to fintech, we are the people we think we are. We’re not just globally competitive… we’re global leaders. That’s a flex I’ll always carry with pride.
7. Tell us about a moment you thought: “Yoh, I’m actually who I think I am.”
Sheesh 🙈🙈 okay I’ve got two!
The first:
When I hosted the very first Battle Of The Kreativz at Theatre on the Square.
Seeing my vision come to life , the stage, the creatives, the energy. I felt this deep, sacred kind of joy. Not the loud, jumpy kind… but that soul-deep contentment. That peace that whispers: “You’re walking in your purpose.” I felt like God was moving through me, like I was in full alignment with what He created me to do. It’s a feeling I wish everyonecould experience at least once in their lifetime.
The second: When I stepped onto the Cotton Fest stage, not as a dancer or supporting act, but as Thaba Nyaba. Me. Fully. The MC. And not just on any stage, the Cotton Stage 😭🔥. That moment was SO surreal. I kept thinking, “How did I get here?” And the answer was simple: grace, hard work, and obedience. I’m beyond thankful for every single step that led me to that moment.
8. How do you stay soft and sane in a world that’s doing the most?
God. Always, first.
He’s the one who protects my heart, gives me clarity, and restores my peace when the world feels loud.
Then, my family, especially my mom.
She’s my anchor. We have something called Mother & Daughter Day every Tuesday, where we sit, talk, laugh, and check in on each other deeply. Not just “How are you?” but “How’s your heart?” That space grounds me more than anything else.
They say home is a feeling, and that feeling, that consistent love, softness, and support, definitely keeps me sane in the madness.
9. Finish this sentence: “The youth of 2025 aren’t just woke—we’re also ______.”
…trailblazers, game changers & go-getters.
We’re not just aware , we’re active. We’re building brands, rewriting narratives, breaking cycles, and healing while doing it. We’re not waiting for permission anymore, we’re creating space for ourselves, and for each other. We don’t just want a seat at the table… we’re designing the whole room.
10. Previdar is all about style, impact, and culture. How are you making your mark?
I’m mixing entertainment with innovation, and philanthropy with power. I’m building platforms for creatives, tech for the future, and safe spaces for healing. Style is my language, impact is my legacy, and best believe when it comes to the fit?
I’m killing it every time. Every look, every shoot, every stage, pressure gets applied.
Style isn’t just how I dress, it’s how I show up. With purpose, with confidence, with heart.
