Snikiwe Mhlongo (born 25 December 1997) is a South African content creator, lifestyle influencer, and fashion entrepreneur.
Sni is known for her high-fashion aesthetic and engaging personality. She has worked with top brands like Jimmy Choo fragrance, Vaseline, Mercedes-Benz, and Coca-Cola South Africa.
| Snikiwe Mhlongo | |
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| Quick Facts | |
| Name: | Snikiwe Mhlongo |
| Born: | 25 December 1997 (age 27 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Parents: | Edmund Mhlongo (father) Brenda Mhlongo (mother) |
| Education: | Media, writing, and sociology |
| Alma mater: | University of Cape Town |
| Occupation: | Digital content creator, lifestyle influencer, fashion entrepreneur |
| Years active: | 2016-date |
| Partner: | Zamani Mbatha (sep. 2023) |
Early Life
Snikiwe Mhlongo was born on 25 December 1997 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to Edmund and Brenda Mhlongo. She has two siblings, Zama and Nethezeko.
Sni, as she is fondly called, has been exposed to creativity from birth and developed an interest in content creation from a young age. In Grade 8, she convinced her friends to start a web series. She wrote the first episode and shot it using her phone.
Education
Mhlongo studied media, writing, and sociology at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Career
Mhlongo started creating digital content in 2016, when she was 18. Her content was very educational. She filmed her first YouTube video on her friend’s cellphone in her first year at UCT.
As a lifestyle influencer, she has successfully created a brand around her name, Snikiwe Mhlongo. She was nominated for Influencer of the Year at the Top 16 Youth Owned Brand Awards.
She has collaborated with online store Imprecca, Jimmy Choo fragrance, and Vaseline. She has also worked with high-profile global brands, including Coca-Cola, Fashion Nova, Mercedes-Benz, and Maybelline New York.
Sni and her mother, Brenda, attended the L’Oréal Paris event, hosted to celebrate the brand’s new Sub-Saharan Ambassador, Thuso Mbedu, in 2023.
Personal Life
Snikiwe Mhlongo and actor Zamani Mbatha were in a relationship for six years, which ended in a breakup in March 2023. She exposed Zamani for cheating after she reportedly caught him in bed with another woman.
She was allegedly arrested for speeding in November 2024. The Johannesburg Metro Police Department arrested her on suspicion of exceeding the legal speed limit in Fourways.
References
- Nwabisa Mazana. “Profile Piece: Snikiwe ‘Sni’ Mhlongo”. Varsity Newspaper.
- Denika Herbst. “Building an empire: ‘Imbewu’ actress Brenda Mhlongo’s real-life hustle”. The South African.
- Mbalenhle Zuma. “Sni Mhlongo recounts ordeal after she was arrested for speeding”. Sunday World.
- Joy Mphande. “Sni has no plans to get back with Zamani Mbatha after ‘cheating’ saga”. TimesLIVE.
- “Sni Mhlongo: Putting The Pieces Together”. Yarasworld.
- Keamogetswe Matlala. “Sni Mhlongo rises above heartbreak with award nomination – ‘Those years of hard work were not in vain’”. Durm.
- Wanique Block. “‘Twins?’: Snikiwe Mhlongo and her mom stun at L’Oréal Paris event”. The South African.
