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Mthokozisi Ncube
FOR many, he is just another funny face on social media. But behind the skits shot in taxis and dusty village roads is a young man chasing a dream bigger than fame — and he is doing it with bunandi (sweetness)!
Lungile Ndlovu, popularly known as “Bunandi” — The African Man, is making serious waves on the digital streets of Bulawayo and beyond.
With a growing online presence, Bunandi has built a strong fan base boasting 49 000 followers on TikTok. On Facebook, he runs two booming pages: Bunandi Mdala with 137 000 followers and Eish Bunandi with 41 000 followers.
But his success didn’t come overnight.
“I created my TikTok account in 2022, but I only started taking it seriously in January last year,” he said.
“I worked hard, posting consistently, and it paid off. I managed to grow one Facebook page to 130k followers in just eight months, and my other page gained 41k followers in three and a half months. It was not easy, but the growth motivated me to keep going.”
Bunandi says comedy is his secret weapon.
“I create skits and vlogs because people love funny things. In Matabeleland, if you try to do anything other than comedy, people won’t follow you. Laughter connects with people — it makes them stop scrolling. That’s what I aim for.”
From packed kombis to rural backdrops, his most viral videos capture everyday life.
“My most viewed videos are shot in villages and inside taxis. People relate to them because it’s real life. That’s why they connect so much.”
Despite his growing popularity, Bunandi says he does not dwell on past videos.
“I don’t really follow up on them after posting. Once they’re out there, I move on to the next idea. It’s about consistency and keeping the energy alive.”
But the journey has not been smooth.
Sometimes taxi drivers refuse to allow him to shoot skits, and brands rarely offer support.
“You go to a taxi asking to film, and the driver says no. On top of that, brands don’t reach out. But we keep pushing.”
For now, the fame is growing — but the money is not.
“Right now, it’s mostly recognition. People know us, so we don’t have to introduce ourselves anymore.
But as for money, asilalutho (we have nothing). Our accounts are not yet monetised, so it’s passion and persistence that keep us going.”
Still, Bunandi believes his breakthrough is coming.
“I believe content creation can change my life. Every time I post, I feel like I’m building something bigger. I will keep creating until I succeed — no matter how long it takes.”
And with his signature bunandi (sweetness), he is not slowing down anytime soon.
Online Reporter