Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma (born 6 July 1986) is a South African radio personality, activist, and event organizer. She is best known for hosting “The Cruise” on Vuma FM and leading the “March on March” movement.
She started at campus studios, then moved to Vibe FM, Inanda FM, and Gagasi FM, where she served as a content producer and co-host. She won the Best Radio Presenter Female award at the KZN Entertainment Awards in December 2020.
| Jacinta Ngobese | |
|---|---|
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| Personal Details | |
| Name: | Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma |
| Born: | 6 July 1986 (age 39 years old) |
| Place of birth: | KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Education: | Supply chain management |
| Alma mater: | University of KwaZulu-Natal |
| Occupation: | Radio personality, activist, event organizer. |
| Spouse: | Xolani Zuma (m. 2024) |
| Children: | Adunyiswe (daughter) Lwandile (son) |
Early Life
Jacinta Ngobese was born on 6 July 1986, in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Her mother had her at a young age, and she never met her biological father.
Her parents separated before she was born because her father’s family had to flee their area due to political violence. She grew up with her grandparents.
Education
Ngobese studied supply chain management at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Career
Jacinta ventured into radio while studying at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She joined Durban-based radio station Vibe 94.7 FM in 2009 and later moved to Inanda FM in 2010.
In 2011, she became a producer and member of the on-air crew for the Alex & The Morning Crew show, alongside Alex Mthiyane and Kini Shandu, on Gagasi FM. She won the MTN Radio Award for Best Content Producer on Gagasi FM’s flagship breakfast show in 2014.
Jacinta had her on-air slot on Gagasi FM, Fresh Start, which airs from 4 am to 6 am. She was among the few selected by the University of KwaZulu-Natal to take part in the International Visitor Leader Programme (IVLP) in 2023.
In 2019, she joined the KZN-based commercial radio station Vuma FM. Her mid-morning show on the station aired from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. She also presented Cruise with Jacinta Ngobese.
She scooped the Best Radio Presenter Female award at the KZN Entertainment Awards in December 2020. She won the Social Media Influencer of the Year award at the Sebenza Women Awards.
Ngobese-Zuma has launched a new podcast on YouTube, ‘Zoom in with Jacinta MaNgobese Zuma’.
She is the founder and leader of March and March movement, which fights against undocumented foreign nationals in Mzansi. She had a public violence case opened against her movement. She handed herself over to the police at the Point Police Station in Durban on 27 January 2026.
Personal Life
Jacinta Ngobese married her lover, Xolani Zuma, in August 2024. Their wedding, which began at her home in KwaMashu E section, ended at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu. She has two children, a daughter, Adunyiswe, and a son, Lwandile.
References
- Jabulani Langa. “PICS: Top presenter marries Zuma!”. Daily Sun.
- Drum Digital. “Meet radio’s best producer Jacinta Ngobese”. Drum.
- Kgomotso Moganedi. “Former Vuma FM presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma leads anti-illegal immigration march in Maritzburg”. Timeslive.
- Jabulani Langa. “EXCLUSIVE: Dumped ex-Vuma FM presenter to fight on!”. Daily Sun.
- Nqobile Masimula. “Durban media personality chosen for prestigious programme in the US”. IOL.
- Mbali Dlungwana. “Zuma charged with public violence!”. Drum.
- Nompumelelo Magagula. “Vuma FM’s Jacinta Ngobese starts 2024 on a high after bagging a Ladies in Media award nomination”. City Press.
- Tribune Reporter. “From radio waves to the frontlines of anti-illegal migration activism”. IOL.
- Lutho Pasiya. “Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma’s comeback: new podcast launches after Vuma FM exit drama”. IOL.
- Jabulani Langa. “Big win shows Jacinta’s growth”. Drum.
