Dominic Zaca
Dominic Zaca | |
|---|---|
| Born | Dominic Zaca 2 December 1992 KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2023–present |
| Height | 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)[1] |
Dominic Zaca (born 2 December 1992) is a South African media personality, LGBTQ activist, and actor. They are best known for being starred in Moja Love reality show The Way Ngingakhona (2023). They are using the TikTok platform to discuss issues affecting queer youth and address homophobia. They won Social Media Personality of the Year at the 17th annual Feather Awards in 2025.
Career
[edit]Zaca has a huge following on social media, where they publish content related to fashion, beauty, LGBTQ rights and cyberbully.[2] They made their television debut in the Moja Love reality series The Way Ngingakhona (The Way That I Am) in 2023.[3] The following year in 2024, they appeared in an episode of the Showmax original legal drama series Law, Love & Betrayal as Thuso.[4] She received their first nominations from the South African Social Media Awards for Dominance of the Year.[5]
In 2025, Zaca became involved in a dispute with television personality Lasizwe over their appearance on Awkward Dates.[6][7] They alleged that their agreement had been breached when the episode originally released online and was broadcast on Mzansi Magic, and also raised concerns about payment.[8] Lasizwe denied owing Zaca money as the dispute occurred wider disagreements surrounding the programme's broadcast deal with MultiChoice and its subsequent removal from DStv.[9] In late 2025, they won Social Media Personality of the Year at the 17th Feather Awards.[10][11]
In 2026, they attended the Hollywoodbets Durban July as a guest of the Chinese vehicle brand Omoda.[12]
Personal life
[edit]Zaca identifies as a non-binary and uses they/them pronouns.[3][13]
Activism
[edit]Zaca has used social media to discuss LGBTQ–related issues, homophobia and cyberbullying.[14] In 2023, they spoke publicly about experiencing homophobic abuse online and described an incident in which they reported a person who had directed a homophobic slur at them to the person's employer.[2] In 2024, Zaca became involved in a public dispute with actor Phila Madlingozi concerning cyberbullying and homophobic comments.[15] Madlingozi accused them for being a fake activist and baiting homophobic people to make them being fired from their jobs.[16] The same year, they was involved in a cyberbullying dispute with TikTok creator Nobangela Lokishi, who posted derogatory and homophobic comments about them online.[17] The dispute received coverage from South African media, with Lokishi later removing the content and issuing an apology. In 2026, Lokishi claimed that the incident had affected his education and resulted in legal consequences.[17][18]
In October 2025, Zaca attended an LGBTQIA+ Pride march wearing Zulu traditional attire.[19][20] They shared a video from the event on social media, where the outfit prompted discussion about the relationship between Zulu cultural identity and LGBTQI+ identity.[20] The appearance followed comments by radio personality Ngizwe Mchunu concerning gay men wearing Zulu traditional attire.[21] The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) ruled that Mchunu must remove the comments, issue a public apology and refrain from making similar discriminatory statements in the future.[20]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | The Way Ngingakhona | Herself | Reality show |
| 2024 | Law, Love & Betrayal | Thuso | Supporting role, season 1 |
| Udumo | Thoko | Supporting role | |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Association | Category | Nominated works | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | South African Social Media Awards | Dominance of the Year | Themselves | Nominated | [5] |
| 2025 | Feather Awards | Social Media Personality of the Year | Themselves | Won | [22] |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Dominic Zaca". Star Quality. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- 1 2 Gifford, Gill (2023-09-23). "Influencer turns the tables on cyberbullies". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- 1 2 Sobuwa, Yoliswa (2023-10-07). "'Forms, systems and processing still want me to be a man or woman': Dominic Zaca's non-binary journey". News24. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Thomo, Goodwill (2024-10-03). "Not fair X users on Dominic Zaca's new TV gig". The South African. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- 1 2 Mbatha, Mbali (2024-08-18). "South African social media award nominees event marred by technical glitches, controversy". News24. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Makhura, Kamogelo. "Lasizwe Dambuza throws shade and claps back at Dominic Zaca over financial drama". IOL. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Rhode, Jade (2026-08-14). "Lasizwe realises online troll impersonated Dominic Zaca after clash". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Mdaka, Zintle (2025-05-28). "Dominic Zaca accuses Lasizwe of breaching their 'Awkward Dates' contract". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Magagula, Nompumelelo (2025-06-28). "Controversy forces Lasizwe Dambuza and MultiChoice to split and take Awkward Dates off air". News24. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Dayile, Qhama (2025-11-08). "This year's Feather Awards were all about living boldly". Sunday World. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Selisho, Kaunda (2025-10-14). "Crowning the drama: Miss SA Organisation joins Feather Awards race". News24. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Nontsele, Chuma (2026-07-06). "'I don't care about your theme': Dominic Zaca explains emotional meaning behind Durban July look". News24. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Matlala, Keamogetswe (2023-12-14). "Everyone knew I was different before I did – Tiktoker Dominic Zaca drives inclusivity". News24. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Gcaba, Jessica (2025-10-30). "Influencer Dominic Zaca Fires Shots at Ngizwe Mchunu Over Homophobic Rant: "We Won't Be Bullied"". Briefly. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Mzandisi, Iviwe (2024-11-01). "Cyberbullying showdown: Actor Phila Madlingozi and influencer Dominic Zaca spark intense debate". News24. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Kamko, Aphiwe (2025-05-23). "'I grew up a homophobic kid' – Phila Madlingozi acknowledges his wrongs and aims to evolve". News24. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- 1 2 Mdaka, Zintle (2026-06-03). "Nobangela's TikTok feud with Dominic Zaca cost his freedom and education". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Nkadimeng, Innocentia (2026-06-05). "TikToker claims he was barred from university over past cyberbullying case". Sowetan. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Mdaka, Zintle (2025-10-27). "Internet reacts on Dominic Zaca's pride outfit". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- 1 2 3 Mdaka, Zintle (2025-10-27). "Internet reacts on Dominic Zaca's pride outfit". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Langa, Jabulani (2025-10-29). "Dominic: We won't be BULLIED by Ngizwe!". DailySun. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Tleane, Lebo (2025-11-07). "Check Out the Full List of the Feather Awards 17 Winners". Youth Village. Retrieved 2026-08-30.