Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
BORN in the busy, echoing corridors of Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo, Yolanda Thembelihle Ncube arrived in the world on a date forever linked to youth and possibility. It feels like more than coincidence for a woman who, at just 26, has built a life around words that feel familiar, accessible and deeply human.
Today she is a prolific scriptwriter and content developer, carving out space for herself as one of the quietly powerful voices shaping the Southern African creative scene, translating lived experience into stories that linger.
The daughter of Thobekile and Leonard Ncube, Yolanda spent her earliest years grounded in the red earth of Esibomvu in Esigodini. Raised largely by her maternal grandmother, she grew up listening, absorbing, and learning in a household where stories were part of everyday life.
These were not fictional tales but lived histories, told carefully and with emotion, teaching her rhythm, feeling and timing long before she understood them as tools. In late 2008, she moved to South Africa, a shift that would shape her education and her sense of self.
There, she completed her schooling and matriculated, learning how to exist — and later create — as a Zimbabwean-born storyteller within a richly layered South African society.
The moment that truly set her on her path did not come from a polished creative space. It came early, in Grade 5, standing on a modest stage. Asked to deliver a speech written by her mother at a prize-giving ceremony, Yolanda found herself standing still as the room rose in applause.
That single response from an audience changed everything, turning curiosity into purpose and sparking a hunger to read, to understand structure and to keep improving her voice.
Reflecting on that day in the community neighbouring Mpilo Hospital, Yolanda says: “That moment honestly planted the seed for everything.
I was too young to fully understand the power of words, but I felt it when the room responded. It taught me early on that communication isn’t just about speaking, it’s about making people feel seen, understood, and moved. Today, when I write, I’m very intentional about that. Whether it’s a skit or a monologue, I always ask myself: what is someone on the other side taking from this? That standing ovation became my first lesson in impact, and I’ve been chasing meaningful impact ever since.”
By the time she reached high school, writing had become how Yolanda made sense of the emotional chaos of adolescence. She documented relationships, heartbreak and self-discovery, eventually sharing those reflections publicly through Facebook pages. What started as “Never Meant to Be” later evolved into the more open, conversational “Sipnspill with Miss Bu”. The honesty of those posts found an audience far beyond her expectations, catching the attention of multiple award-winning actor Chrispen Nkosiyapha Nyathi.
For Yolanda, social media was never casual. It was demanding, sometimes uncomfortable, and deeply educational.
“Social media was my training ground. The feedback was instant and honest…people would engage, share, or scroll past…sometimes throw in negative comments, and that taught me quickly what resonates and what doesn’t. Over time, I learned how to refine my voice to be more authentic, more conversational, and more reflective of real experiences as well as neutral.
“I think the turning point was when people started seeing themselves in my writing and responding emotionally. That’s when I realised my thoughts weren’t just personal….they were universal. That’s when the shift from just posting’ to intentional storytelling began.”
In creative industries where talent is everywhere but mentorship is scarce, Yolanda was fortunate. Under the guidance of Chrispen Nkosiyapha Nyathi and with mentorship from Joyful Ncube, she began to take her writing seriously as a career. That shift marked her move from expressive short pieces to structured scriptwriting and monologue development, contributing to projects such as Married to My Death (Part 2), For Better Not for Worse and Sick Knot.
She speaks about that guidance with honesty and gratitude.
“Their mentorship has been incredibly important in my journey. Having people who see your potential and say it out loud can really shift how you see yourself. Especially when you have never taken yourself seriously like that. Being encouraged not to ‘sleep on my talent’ pushed me to take my craft more seriously and to start thinking beyond short pieces into structured storytelling.
“In an industry that can be overwhelming, that kind of guidance gave me both confidence and direction. It helped me transition from writing freely to writing with purpose, structure, and long-term vision.”
Her range is clear in collaborations with comedic and lifestyle creators such as Laiza The Mop Driver, Bobby Maro, Melly Dawu and Mitney Mitch. Yolanda has developed an instinctive ability to balance humour with insight, delivering work that makes people laugh and recognise themselves at the same time. No matter the format, she remains committed to portraying African experiences truthfully, without exaggeration or gloss.
As her work expands across genres and into upcoming projects like Hustle and Heart, her relationship with craft continues to deepen. Writing for performers such as Chik Aljoy and Sehli Mafuyane has pushed her to become more flexible and intentional. She considers herself part of a generation that refuses borders, carrying her Zimbabwean roots into South Africa’s creative space and allowing both identities to inform her voice.
“My understanding of tone and structure has definitely matured. When I was younger, writing was more instinctive…now it’s both instinct and intention. Writing for specific actors has taught me flexibility; I have to adapt tone, pacing, and dialogue to suit different personalities and genres. Whether it’s comedy or drama, I focus on rhythm, emotional timing, and clarity of message. It’s no longer just about telling a story…it’s about how that story is experienced by both the performer and the audience and not just narrating.”
More than anything, Yolanda wants her work to connect. Despite a growing list of credits, she is open about the importance of rest, balance and stepping away from the page. For her, success is not only about output, but about staying grounded.
“At the heart of everything I write is connection. I want people to walk away feeling seen, understood, and a little less alone in their experiences. Whether it’s love, growth, or life lessons, the goal is always to reflect real life in a way that resonates.
Being a Zimbabwean creative in South Africa has also shaped my perspective. I carry multiple identities and influences, and that reflects in my storytelling. Going forward, I see my pen expanding into bigger productions, more layered stories, and projects that travel across borders while still feeling deeply personal.”
When she steps away from her work, Yolanda finds comfort in the simple things — time with family, watching films, and grounding herself at the gym. —@MbuleloMpofu
