Zee Nxumalo Turns Hit Song ‘Ngisakuthanda’ Into Her First Short Film

South African singer and award-winning artist Zee Nxumalo is stepping into a new creative chapter. At just 22, the rising star is expanding her talents beyond music with the release of her very first short film titled Ngisakuthanda: The Short Film.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zee Nxumalo (@zeenxumalo_)

Zee recently shared her excitement with fans on Instagram, posting: “One year ago, Ngisakuthanda touched your hearts as a song. This Friday, it comes to life as a short film. A story about love, choices, mistakes and quiet heartbreak. Are you joining me?” The short film is set to drop on Friday, 21 November 2025, and fans are already buzzing with anticipation.

In October 2025, during an interview with Drum, Zee explained how the idea for the film began. Ngisakuthanda first became a massive hit featuring DJ Tearz and Dr Thulz. The track went viral online and has now earned over 40 million views on YouTube. But despite the success of the music video, Zee felt that the story behind the song deserved more depth and a new way to be told.

“We saw the love the song was receiving, and we felt compelled to do something more,” she said. “The short film is a natural progression, allowing us to explore the emotions and themes of the song in a more immersive way. The music video tells the story of two lovers, but it’s not enough.”

Zee describes the film as “a very romantic and intimate” project that explores the universal experience of love. She believes that many viewers will relate to the message because love itself connects all people. “Because love is a fundamental aspect of human experience, I believe the film will resonate with audiences on a profound level,” she explained. “Relationships are a cornerstone of our society, and I’m convinced that the film’s themes will strike a chord with viewers because they will relate.”

The short film follows the life of Zandile, a young woman who reflects on a past relationship and realizes how much she has grown. Zee shared more about the storyline, saying: “The story follows a girl who was in love with a guy when she was younger, but has since evolved and grown to want better in life, including romantic relationships. People do change, and she changed the way she felt about the guy because she embraced the change that came with life.”

This emotional journey ties directly to the song’s lyrics, especially the powerful line “Dali kutheni udlala ngam”, which means “Darling, why are you playing with me?” According to Zee, these words capture a moment many people experience — realizing you’ve outgrown someone or something that no longer helps you grow. “It’s a powerful message that resonates with anyone who’s experienced personal growth and transformation,” she added.