Nomzamo Mbatha Represents South Africa at World Economic Forum in Davos

Actress, media personality and human rights activist Nomzamo Mbatha recently represented South Africa on a global stage after attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Nomzamo was part of the forum as a Young Global Leader (YGL) delegate, where she proudly represented the YGL cohort and her organisation, Nomzamo Lighthouse.

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A post shared by Nomzamo Mbatha (Nxumalo)🇿🇦 (@nomzamo_m)

Sharing her experience on Instagram, Nomzamo reflected on the powerful week she spent engaging with global leaders, innovators and changemakers. She wrote, “To influence without empathy is mere ego. To influence with empathy is LEGACY…” Her words captured the heart of her message and the values she carried with her to Davos.

Nomzamo described the week as deeply meaningful, saying, “What a profound week it was at the @worldeconomicforum in Davos, where I stood as a Young Global Leader delegate, proudly representing the YGL cohort and my heart’s work at @nomzamo_lighthouse.” She explained that being in spaces filled with influential voices gave her the opportunity to speak about issues close to her heart.

One of the key topics Nomzamo addressed was the importance of the creative economy. She shared, “In rooms humming with possibility, I shared a truth close to my soul: the creative economy isn’t a sideshow – it’s a pivotal force, equal to any other, in forging national prosperity.” She added that creativity works alongside science in ways that are often ignored, saying it helps ignite innovation, heal divisions and reimagine futures.

Nomzamo also attended the exclusive TIME100 dinner, where she found herself surrounded by some of the world’s most powerful figures. She admitted, “At the TIME100 dinner, it was daunting to be surrounded by titans of technology and financial empires.” Despite this, she stood firm in her message. She explained that her closing remarks were “a call to bridge worlds and center people beyond statistics – to let creativity fuel the systems that uplift us all.” She added, “The love I received in that room still sits in my soul.”

In her message, Nomzamo encouraged fellow changemakers to remain focused and resilient despite global challenges. She wrote, “To my fellow disrupters and unicorns… our protest against divisive geopolitical agendas? It is to dig your heels even deeper into the work that puts the fire in our bellies.” She further encouraged them “to stay resilient and unyielding amid a fragmented world.” Nomzamo concluded by reminding them, “Together, we’re not just impacting society; we’re reshaping it – for good, for grace, for generations yet to come.”

Nomzamo’s impact was further recognised in October 2025 when she was named a TIME100 Next Generation Leader. The UNHCR praised her work, sharing, “Compassionate, determined, visionary.” They added, “Nomzamo Mbatha has been a tireless advocate for the rights and dignity of refugees, using her platform to call for inclusion, justice and lasting change.”

Once again, Nomzamo Mbatha continues to use her voice to inspire change, proving that empathy-driven leadership can leave a lasting legacy.