Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma
SOMETIMES it’s not about the clothes, it’s about the attitude, and Gwanda’s newest digital sensation, Bunandi, has got that in spades. Born Lungile Ndlovu, this content creator has rapidly become a king of unconventional fashion, blending street chic with what one might generously call a “resourceful use of available materials”.
One might argue: who needs high-end fashion when you’ve got street cred and a unique vibe? While Bunandi’s appearance might raise eyebrows, it’s undeniably memorable. The question remains: is the boy from the six-street mining town fashionably late to the party or fashionably ahead of the curve? You decide.
Forget about the social media kingpins from Bulawayo and Harare; Gwanda has a new digital dynamo on the block, and he’s trending like wildfire. Bunandi has exploded on the scene, turning his raw talent and determination into staggering numbers: he jumped from 28 000 followers in July to over 106 000 followers in a space of just two months.
His meteoric rise is fuelled by his catchy “Itshapha Le Gwanda” chant and a steady stream of relatable skits and infectious humour that resonate deeply with audiences across the region.
Driven by a simple yet powerful mission, Bunandi is working to change his life and support his family of eight. Saturday Chronicle recently caught up with him, and he shared his life-changing story from rags to riches.
“I started this thing with the inspiration of Ahh Mozisi and then I decided to give it a try even though it wasn’t easy. I started music in primary and comedy in A-Level. I can attribute that comedy gave me faster recognition. Music is slow and expensive. This is my hustle, my way to give my parents the life they deserve,” he said.
Bunandi is overwhelmed with the support he has received, a move that has ignited more spark for him to produce more content. He reflects on his rapid growth:
“I’ve done some collaborations, but most of the times I work alone. It feels like a miracle gaining 100 000 followers on Facebook in six months and 31 000 followers on TikTok in 11 months.”
His content strategy is rooted in the everyday experiences of his audience.
“Sometimes I create content following stories happening in the neighbourhood, sometimes I can turn something I experienced into content, then spice it up a bit. Creating relatable content helps to engage with my audience since they’ll be commenting, some sharing their experiences related to mine,” he said.
Crucially, Bunandi is committed to changing the narrative about his home-town.
“People have always believed that no one can make it through social media in Gwanda; they say Gwanda ‘kusekhaya’—they even say I’m from Bulawayo. But I’ve always clarified that I’m from Gwanda; I only go to Bulawayo to create content, but my target market is Bulawayo.”
Beyond the laughs, he also uses his platform for public good.
“Recently I’ve made a video encouraging people to always do protected sex to avoid STIs. We raise awareness through comedy,” said Bunandi.
Bunandi advises wannabe content creators to focus on works that connect beyond local borders.
“They must create content that is relatable to a wider audience, not for their town only, in order to get recognised nationally.”
His efforts have already yielded commercial success.
“I’m a brand ambassador at KwaNdonsi and it helps me financially. I’ve advertised for some companies, but I’m not their brand ambassador; I won’t mention their names.”
Looking ahead, the digital star is ready to expand his reach across borders.
“I’ve got plans to collaborate with other content creators in Harare and South Africa,” he stated.
