The award-winning actor talks fragrance, self-expression and what it means to be an Azzaro Wanted man.
There is an undeniable confidence to Kwenzo Ngcobo. It is present in the characters he brings to life, in the way he speaks about his journey and, perhaps most fittingly, in his latest role as the face of Azzaro Wanted in South Africa. The award-winning actor has been named the fragrance house’s new local ambassador, fronting the South African campaign for Forever Wanted Absolu, the most luxurious fragrance in the Wanted collection to date. Created for those who embrace elegance, audacity and the pleasure of living fully, the fragrance leaves an intense, captivating trail that speaks to the power of presence.
For Ngcobo, fragrance is more than an accessory. It is part of the way you enter a room, connect with others and carry yourself through the world. That philosophy makes his partnership with Azzaro feel particularly natural. Much like the Wanted man, Ngcobo’s approach to masculinity is rooted in individuality, self-belief and an understanding that confidence is most powerful when it comes from knowing exactly who you are.
From his breakthrough role as Qhawe Zulu in The Wife to acclaimed performances in Scandal! and Soon Comes Night, Ngcobo has built a career around portraying men with complexity and emotional depth. Now, as he enters a new chapter with Azzaro, he reflects on confidence, self-expression, modern masculinity and the ambitions that continue to drive him.
You have become one of South Africa’s most recognisable actors. For anyone discovering you for the first time, how would you describe yourself and the journey that has brought you here?
My journey has really been about following my passion for the performing arts, learning from every experience and continuing to grow in my craft. I am grateful for every opportunity that has brought me to this point, but I am still very much on the journey. There is always more to learn and more to become.
Congratulations on becoming Azzaro’s new South African ambassador. What does this partnership mean to you?
It is a very beautiful moment. Blessings upon blessings, but with those blessings also come many responsibilities. It is exciting to be part of a brand like Azzaro and to have the opportunity to showcase it and tell its story in a way that people can resonate with.
I think there is something special about being able to represent a brand that has such a strong sense of character. I am excited to be part of this chapter and to see how we can bring the spirit of Azzaro Wanted to people here in South Africa.
Azzaro Wanted is centred around confidence, audacity and living life to the fullest. What does confidence mean to you?
For me, confidence is about believing in yourself. It is about how you present yourself, how you carry yourself and, most importantly, remaining grounded in who you are.
You need to know yourself. When you understand who you are and what you stand for, you can move through different spaces without losing yourself. That sense of being grounded is where true confidence comes from.
Your performances in The Wife, Scandal! and Soon Comes Night have shown audiences different dimensions of your artistry. How has acting shaped the way you understand identity and self-expression?
As actors, we work with different characters and become involved in other people’s lives and experiences. You are constantly stepping into worlds that may be very different from your own, and that teaches you to look at life from different perspectives.
It has made me appreciate where I come from and the importance of remaining grounded and humble. My career has changed the way I see life and the way I understand people. Every character and every story teaches you something. Ultimately, I want to continue telling beautiful stories and becoming the best artist I can be.
Fragrance is often described as an invisible part of your personal style. What was your first reaction when you experienced Azzaro Wanted?
The first time I smelled it, it gave me confidence. It gave me a sense of power and made me feel like I could keep going. There is something about feeling fresh and smelling good that changes the way you carry yourself. When you feel good, people notice. They want to engage with you, they want to connect with you and they want to create with you. That is what I love about fragrance. It can become part of your presence without you having to say anything. Azzaro Wanted has that power. It is beautiful to wear, and there is a confidence that comes with it.
What do you think makes fragrance such an important part of how a man presents himself?
I think the way you smell contributes to how people experience you. When you feel fresh and confident, you carry yourself differently. For me, fragrance is connected to that feeling of being ready. Ready to meet people, ready to create, ready to do business and ready to make something happen. It can bring people together because it creates a feeling and leaves an impression. That is what makes something like Azzaro Wanted powerful. It is not just about smelling good. It becomes part of how you show up.
Azzaro Wanted celebrates a man who embraces his individuality while remaining connected to his roots. How important is that balance in your own life?
It is very important. You need to know where you come from, because your roots are part of who you are. As you grow and experience different things, you may change and evolve, but you should never lose yourself. Being grounded allows you to move forward while still remembering the people, experiences and values that shaped you.
We are also seeing a shift in the way masculinity is represented, particularly among young South African men. How are you redefining masculinity for yourself?
I think masculinity today is about knowing who you are and knowing how to respect other people. It is about understanding the value of other people and recognising the influence they have on who you become. As a man, you carry a lot of power, but that power comes with responsibility. You have to be aware of what is happening around you and appreciate the people who contribute to your journey.
For me, being a man is about being a good leader and setting a good example. It is about understanding that how you carry yourself matters, not only to you but to the people around you.
Your journey has taken you from theatre to television and film, and now into the world of fragrance and luxury. Do you ever pause to recognise the significance of these milestones?
It is funny because sometimes I do not realise the impact of these moments while they are happening. Even when The Wife happened, I did not immediately recognise the power that came with it. I was focused on remaining where I was, continuing to work hard and becoming better at my craft.
That is why this moment feels so real to me. Sometimes it feels like a movie. You find yourself thinking, “What is happening? What is the story?” And then you realise that it is actually happening. I am grateful for it, but I also want to achieve more. Not only for myself, but for my children and my family. Being a man is also about building a home and creating something meaningful.
As you step into this new chapter with Azzaro, what are you hoping to achieve next?
I want to achieve more and continue growing in my craft. I want to become a better artist and keep telling beautiful stories. But it is not only about me. I want to see the people around me winning too. I want my family and the people I love to achieve everything they want and everything they need. That is what motivates me. To keep moving forward, to keep working and to create a life where we can all win.
For now, Ngcobo’s Azzaro chapter feels like a natural extension of a career defined by presence. Forever Wanted Absolu, with its luxurious character and commanding intensity, becomes more than a fragrance in his hands. It is a fitting olfactory signature for a man entering his next chapter with confidence, purpose and a clear sense of where he comes from.
