Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
Bulawayo-based TikTok content creator Nicolas Tshuma is using humour and social commentary to entertain his growing audience while encouraging unity among residents of the city.
The content creator, who has amassed more than 16 000 followers on TikTok, said his journey started from a desire to provide a voice on issues affecting his community while making people laugh.
Speaking to B-Metro, Tshuma said beyond the videos and online fame, he is simply a young man passionate about Bulawayo and its people.
“I’m just a regular guy who loves his city and his people. I’m that big brother type. I like making people laugh, but I also like speaking truth. I’m about supporting girls, protecting them, and pushing for Bulawayo to be united,” he said.
Tshuma, who operates under the TikTok handle @Nicolas Tshuma@7, said he has about 16 000 followers and continues to grow his online community.
He said he started creating content about a month ago after noticing a gap for content that combines entertainment with conversations around social issues.
“I started because I got tired of seeing nonsense and I said let me just speak. I create comedy, girl advice, and Bulawayo community talk. I’m the guy who tells girls ‘don’t be simple’ but I’m also the guy saying ‘Bulawayo must be united,’” he said.
One of his most viewed videos was a clip in which he expressed his views on xenophobic attacks in South Africa and called for calm following tensions affecting Zimbabweans and other foreigners.
The video, which received more than 116 000 views and 16 000 likes, showed Tshuma becoming emotional as he spoke about xenophobia, describing the issue as painful and calling for people to heal.
“My biggest video was the one where I spoke about South Africans and said we don’t want Makhadzi at the moment. It got 116,1k views and 16,7k likes. I think it hit because I said what people were already thinking but were scared to say,” he said.
However, Tshuma clarified that his message was not about promoting hatred but expressing concern over xenophobia and the need for communities to address tensions peacefully.
He said the video remains his favourite because it reflected his personal feelings about the issue.
“It’s special to me because that’s my heart. I don’t care about views on that one. I just want my people to hear it,” he said.
The content creator said feedback from his followers continues to motivate him.
“The DMs and comments keep me going. When a girl says ‘you saved me money’ or when a guy from Byo says ‘you spoke facts’, that keeps me going. Plus, I just love making my people laugh,” he said.
Despite his growing popularity, Tshuma said creating content that addresses social issues comes with challenges.
“Speaking truth has challenges. People will ask ‘who are you?’ or say you’re causing drama. Uniting people is not easy because everyone has their own opinion. But if we don’t talk about it, nothing will change,” he said.
He said his family and friends initially struggled to understand his passion for TikTok but have since embraced his work.
“At first they were like ‘what is this TikTok thing?’ Now they’re proud. Family supports me, friends share my videos. Even in the community, people now greet me in town like ‘you’re that TikTok guy’,” he said.
Tshuma said TikTok had given him a platform to connect with more people and explore new opportunities.
“TikTok gave me a voice. Before, only a few people heard me. Now the whole of Bulawayo and even outside can hear. It has opened doors for collaborations, events, and connecting with other creators,” he said.
Looking ahead, Tshuma said his main goal was to use his platform to encourage unity among Bulawayo residents.
“For Bulawayo to be united. We fight each other too much. We’re stronger together. If my content makes you laugh and think, then I did my job,” he said.
