I have known Nondumiso for six years and on paper, she is the kind of professional many young women aspire to become, even I aspire to be as full of candance and grith as her. And ohw funny too.
She leads digital strategy for some of Eswatini's most recognisable brands, helping businesses find their voice in an ever-changing digital world.
Her work is strategic, fast-paced and rooted in understanding people, away from campaign reports, content calendars and client meetings is a woman whose life is shaped just as much by bedtime stories, meaningful friendships and a deep appreciation for life's quieter moments.
Long before she became known as a digital strategist, Nondumiso was telling stories from a different perspective.
In any other day she would be the one behind this keyboard, as a reporter and entertainment editor, she covered Eswatini's cultural scene, interviewed artists and attended red carpet events.
Those years sharpened more than her writing. They taught her how people connect with stories, a lesson she still carries into every campaign she builds today.
"I've always been drawn to stories. Before I worked in digital strategy, I was writing about entertainment, culture and people. That curiosity never really went away. It simply evolved into helping brands tell their own stories," she said during our laid back interview.
That natural curiosity eventually led her into branding and digital marketing, although it wasn't part of a carefully mapped-out plan.
"It happened gradually," she reflects. As a journalist she found herself thinking beyond the story itself. She became interested in how it was told, who it reached and the impact it had.
"When I moved into digital marketing, everything started making sense. I realised I could shape conversations on a much bigger scale," she shares.
Today, she manages a diverse portfolio of brands across several industries, a role that demands creativity just as much as strategy.
While every campaign brings its own challenges, the projects that stay with her aren't necessarily the biggest ones.
"The work I'm proudest of is always the work that genuinely connects with people. When a campaign becomes part of everyday conversation or reflects something familiar back to the community, that's incredibly rewarding. At its best, marketing isn't just about selling a product. It's about building connections," Msibi said.
In an industry that never really slows down, staying creative requires intention.
In between the interview, which also plays as catch-up between us, Nondumiso shares that she makes time to consume she says with a smile.
"I read, I watch, I listen and I pay attention to what's happening around me. I also rely on my team. Creativity isn't something one person owns, and I've learned that some of the best ideas come from collaboration," she shares strongly.
The variety of her work also keeps her inspired. Moving between banking, retail, insurance and FMCG means every day brings a different problem to solve, and that constant change keeps her thinking differently.
Yet for all the ambition that defines her career, it is motherhood that has reshaped her most. Nondumiso is a girl mom okay, one of her biggest jobs yet. Being a mother.
Becoming a first-time mother literally changed how she measures success. Career milestones still matter, but they no longer stand alone.
"My definition of success is different now," she sipping on her Mommy juice, you know that is Chardonnay.
"Of course I still want to do good work, but I also think about the example I'm setting for my child. Am I building a life she'll be proud of? Am I showing her that it's possible to pursue your purpose without losing yourself?" She continues.
Motherhood has also made her a more empathetic leader.
"You realise everyone has a life outside of work. We all carry different responsibilities and challenges, and remembering that has made me more understanding."
Like many working mothers, she has also had to let go of the idea of perfect balance.
"I don't think balance is something you arrive at," she admits.
"It's something you're constantly adjusting. Some days work needs more of you, other days your family does. I've learned to stop feeling guilty about whichever one has my attention at that moment."
When the demands of work become overwhelming, it's often the simplest moments that help her reset.
"My faith keeps me grounded. So does my child. A hug, bath time or reading a story before bed has a way of putting everything back into perspective. Children don't care about your deadlines or your KPIs. They just want you. That's a reminder I never take for granted," she says.
Outside of family, friendship remains one of the constants she treasures.
"My friendships look different now. We don't always see each other often, but we've learned to be intentional. Sometimes it's a voice note, sometimes it's finally making time for dinner after weeks of trying to organise it. The people closest to me knew me before the career, before motherhood and before all the different roles I've taken on. They remind me who I am," she says fondly.
We are halfway through our first bottle of Chardonnay, when I ask her where she'd disappear if she had an entire week to herself and her answer comes without hesitation.
"Somewhere warm and by the coast. The Amalfi Coast would be amazing, although Zanzibar sounds just as tempting. I'd wake up without an alarm, drink really good coffee, spend time by the water, read all the books I've been putting off and completely forget about content calendars. That sounds like the perfect holiday," she says laughing.
There are still parts of her story that surprise people, even I'm surprised. Many people know me her as a digital strategist, but not everyone knows she started in entertainment journalism.
She genuinely loved that world. It shaped how she writes, how she understands audiences and how she approaches storytelling today.
A perfect day off, however, has become wonderfully uncomplicated for Nondumiso.
"It's a slow morning without an alarm. Making breakfast properly instead of rushing. Spending uninterrupted time with my child. Maybe reading, maybe watching something I've been meaning to watch. Then getting into bed before ten o'clock. That sounds like heaven," she shared.
Looking back, she doesn't wish for a straighter path.
"My career hasn't been linear. I've worked in banking support, journalism, research, public relations and now digital marketing. At the time those changes felt uncertain, but each role gave me something I'll always use. Nothing was wasted," she shares.
If she could offer one piece of advice to the younger version of herself, she mentions it would be simple.
"Don't wait until you feel confident before taking up space. Confidence usually comes afterwards,"
Our conversation is drawing to a close, our glasses are almost empty, but from this quick catch-up it's clear that while Nondumiso builds brands for a living, the legacy she's most invested in is far more personal.
"I want my child to grow up seeing a woman who worked hard, stayed true to herself and wasn't afraid to dream bigger. And if another young woman sees my journey and realises she can build something meaningful too, then that's enough for me," she shares as we are about to wrap up.
Finally, I ask how she hopes the people who know her best would describe her, she pauses before answering.
Present, fierce, warm. They're simple words, but after spending time with Ndumi, that is how she is affectionately known, they feel like the most accurate description of all. Behind the strategist is a storyteller.
Behind the leader is a mother. Behind the impressive résumé is a woman who is still guided by curiosity, grounded by faith and committed to building a life that matters as much at home as it does in the boardroom. And perhaps that's her greatest success of all.
Keep in touch with Nondumiso Msibi here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nondumiso-msibi-96293b229?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android
