Story
Yamkela Mwanda (born 17 January 1992) is a South African model, actress and make-up artist. She is widely known as Yaya Mwanda.
She has graced the silver screen alongside her modeling career in notable productions such as The Queen Mzansi and Scandal. She is a notable South African plus-size model and a force to be reckoned with. She is hailed as a pioneer of the Body Positivity movement, not afraid to challenge society’s beauty standards.
Adding to her list of achievements, Eastern Cape-born businesswoman Yaya Mwanda is no stranger to reality television. She captured the hearts of audiences as a reality TV star on the Big Brother Titans Show, showcasing her charisma and tenacity.
Yaya Mwanda’s illustrious career is a testament to her dedication and hard work. She has broken the conventional norms of the fashion industry, paving the way for lesser-known individuals to pursue their dreams. Her unwavering spirit and dynamic presence continue to inspire people across the globe.
South African TV personality
Yaya Mwanda |
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 Yaya Mwanda: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| First and last name: | Yamkela Mwanda |
| Stage Name: | Yaya Mwanda |
| Born: | January 17, 1992 (age 32) |
| Place of birth: | Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Nationality: | South Africa |
| Height: | 1.52 meters |
| Parents: | Mwanda family |
| Siblings: | Do not have |
| Husband • Spouse: | Not married |
| Boyfriend • Partner: | Yemi Cregx (rum.) |
| Children: | Do not have |
| Job: | Actress • Television Personality |
| Net asset value: | $100,000-$300,000 |
Early life
Yaya Mwanda was born to the Mwanda family in South Africa on 17 January 1992. She was born and raised in the Eastern Cape Province. Her parents are South African and she is of the Xhosa ethnic group. Her official name is Yamkela Mwanda.
As a young girl, Yaya Mwanda’s parents and grandmother instilled in her strong moral values and taught her about the traditions and customs of the Xhosa tribe. From a young age, she aspired to become an entertainer. Inspired by the leading actors in the South African film industry at the time, she dreamed of becoming an actress.
During her first year of high school, Yaya Mwanda became interested in the beauty industry and wanted to make an impact on the looks of the women around her. Driven by this newfound artistry, she became a self-taught makeup artist. She began offering her services to members of her nuclear and extended family, close friends, classmates, and neighbors. Within a few months, Yaya Mwanda became one of the most sought-after makeup artists in her community.
Education
Yaya Mwanda attended top public schools in the Eastern Cape for primary, secondary and senior secondary education.
She graduated from high school in 2009 with high marks in her O’Level exams.
Career
After graduating from high school, Yaya Mwanda worked as a saleswoman for several businesses in her community. She then pursued her lifelong passion of becoming a model. She began modeling in 2014 at the age of twenty-two.
In her early days as a model, she would attend creative directors’ casting calls where she would audition for modeling gigs. However, her career has evolved over the years. Yaya Mwanda is currently signed to My Friend Ned, one of the leading modeling agencies in Africa. She has built her brand as one of the top plus-size models in South Africa.
Yaya Mwanda has worked with many top publications such as Drum Magazine, Essentials Magazine, Essays Of Africa, True Love and Bona Magazine. She was featured in Lose It Magazine in 2021. These publications have a large readership and have helped her gain more recognition in the modeling industry. She has had the opportunity to work with several fashion brands, creative directors, art directors and cinematographers. Notable fashion brands she has modeled for include Goldstrap Lingerie, Desire Weavegoddess, Topnotch Spa Four Ways, Asozar Boutique, Thabootys, Rich Factory, Opuer, etc.
Yaya Mwanda worked on a TVC for Samsung Mobile South Africa. She has worked with creatives such as Hijab Black Girl, Emmy Photography, Siba Hlumelo, Lakhe 91 Photography and Jashughatt.
She is a rising star in the South African film industry. She has played supporting and minor roles in television series, feature films, short films and web series. As an actress, Yaya Mwanda is best known for appearing in the films The Queen Mzansi and Scandal. She has a good working relationship with the production company, ETV. In 2021, she was cast in the fitness show Squad Goals. The show, which is executive produced by the SABC, began airing in January 2022.
To further boost her popularity in the African entertainment industry, Yaya Mwanda auditioned for a spot on the Big Brother Titans show in 2022. She passed the various audition rounds to become one of the housemates on the show. Yaya Mwanda was revealed to her millions of Big Brother Titans fans on January 15, 2023.
Social Media
Yaya Mwanda has been a successful social media personality for many years. After becoming a housemate on Big Brother Titans, her fame skyrocketed on social media.
She currently has over 101k followers on Instagram.
- Instagram Name: @yayamwanda
Personal life
Yaya Mwanda is a gorgeous plus-size woman. The 32-year-old reality TV star has fair skin, a voluptuous figure and stands at 5ft 11in. She speaks English and Xhosa fluently. She is very proud of her Xhosa heritage and spends her free time with her family, who also live in the Eastern Cape.
Yaya Mwanda lives in a middle-class neighbourhood in East London, Eastern Cape Province. She owns a furnished apartment and drives a luxury car. She is also known by her Xhosa Barbie and Certified Barbie. She is friends with South African leading actor Thando Thabethe.
Despite rumors that she is dating someone in the entertainment industry, Yaya Mwanda is still single. However, she is open to a serious romantic relationship if the right man comes along. She previously dated Yemi Cregx, a housemate.
Net asset value
Yaya Mwanda is an ambitious young woman with a successful career in multiple industries. From modeling, businesswoman, actress, reality TV host, and makeup artist, Yaya Mwanda has amassed a net worth of between $100,000 and $300,000 (USD).
