Zee Nxumalo Brings Her Hit Song ‘Ngisakuthanda’ to Life in a Powerful New Short Film

At just 22, award-winning artist Zee Nxumalo is ready to take a bold new step in her career. Known for her soulful voice and emotional lyrics, Zee is now turning her creativity toward the screen with the release of her first short film, Ngisakuthanda: The Short Film. The project promises to be a heartfelt and visually stunning exploration of love — and Zee isn’t just starring in it; she’s the driving creative force behind it.

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Speaking to Drum, Zee opened up about how the idea came to life. The short film is inspired by her hit song Ngisakuthanda featuring DJ Tearz and Dr Thulz, which took the internet by storm and has racked up over 40 million YouTube views. But for Zee, the story behind the song felt too powerful to end with just the music video.

“We saw the love the song was receiving, and we felt compelled to do something more,” she explained. “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 dives deep into the universal theme of love. “Because love is a fundamental aspect of human experience, I believe the film will resonate with audiences on a profound level,” she said. “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 film tells the story of a young woman named Zandile, who looks back on her past relationship and realizes how much she has grown. “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,” Zee shared. “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 mirrors the lyrics of the song, “Dali kutheni udlala ngam”, which means “Darling, why are you playing with me?” Zee says these words capture the heart of the story — the moment of realizing you’ve outgrown something that no longer serves you. “It’s a powerful message that resonates with anyone who’s experienced personal growth and transformation,” she added.

Fans can expect an exclusive premiere of Ngisakuthanda: The Short Film, followed by its release on streaming platforms. “We’ve been speaking to a few brands to get the film streamed on, but we’ll be announcing more details soon,” she teased.

The official release date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but Zee promises to share all updates on her social media pages — and if the song’s success is anything to go by, the short film is sure to be a hit.