Nomzamo Mbatha, the acclaimed South African actress and media personality, has often found her romantic life under the spotlight, mirroring her rising career. While she maintains a degree of privacy, her high-profile relationships have been a subject of public interest, marked by both passionate beginnings and challenging endings. Her romantic journey has seen her linked to prominent figures in the entertainment industry, with each relationship contributing to her public narrative.
One of Nomzamo Mbatha's earliest publicly known relationships was with Khaya Mthethwa, the winner of Idols South Africa season 8. Their romance reportedly began around 2014, though details about its exact start were kept private. The relationship garnered significant media attention, especially when it was rumored that Mthethwa had paid lobola (bride price) for Mbatha in 2013, a traditional gesture of intent to marry.
However, their relationship came to an abrupt end in December 2014. Reports widely circulated that the breakup was due to Mthethwa allegedly cheating on Mbatha with her then-best friend and Isibaya co-star, Jessica Nkosi. This alleged infidelity led to the dissolution of both the romantic relationship and the friendship between the two actresses. While Nkosi denied the allegations, the estrangement between her and Mbatha became public knowledge, and they reportedly ceased communication and professional collaborations. Khaya Mthethwa later stated that the relationship was "never serious," a claim Nomzamo Mbatha did not publicly address.
Following her split from Khaya Mthethwa, Nomzamo Mbatha entered into another high-profile relationship with fellow media personality Maps Maponyane. Their romance reportedly began in 2015 after they co-starred in the film Tell Me Sweet Something. Although the couple never officially confirmed their relationship to the public, their frequent public appearances, affectionate social media interactions, and undeniable chemistry made them South Africa's "it" couple, earning them the moniker "Mapszamo."
Their relationship, though unconfirmed, was widely celebrated by fans and the media, who often lauded them as #couplegoals. They were seen as a perfect match, both successful and stylish. However, their seemingly idyllic romance was plagued by persistent cheating allegations against Maponyane. Despite the rumors, they continued to present a united front for some time.
The relationship between Nomzamo Mbatha and Maps Maponyane reportedly ended in May 2018. The split was widely attributed to continued allegations of infidelity on Maponyane's part. Sources close to Mbatha indicated that she had received "proof that couldn't be disputed" regarding his alleged cheating. The breakup was reportedly painful for Mbatha, especially given her past experience with alleged infidelity in a previous relationship.
The aftermath of their breakup saw some public tension, particularly in March 2020, when Maponyane posted a photo with a woman who fans initially mistook for Mbatha. Mbatha publicly reacted to this, tweeting a strong message to Maponyane: > "Not now. Not ever. Masego, stop taking advantage of my silence and choice to be graceful through it all. Shake this can one more time and I’ll open it. Maps Maponyane you made your bed." This tweet suggested that the split was far from amicable and hinted at deeper issues.
Since her high-profile relationships with Khaya Mthethwa and Maps Maponyane, Nomzamo Mbatha has largely kept her romantic life out of the public eye. While there have been occasional rumors, such as being linked to cricketer Kagiso Rabada in January 2019 after they were photographed together, these have remained unconfirmed and largely speculative. Mbatha has consistently maintained that she is single and has expressed gratitude for her current status, focusing intensely on her flourishing international career.
Nomzamo Mbatha has often spoken about her personal growth and her commitment to her professional endeavors. She has indicated a preference for privacy in her romantic life, learning from the intense public scrutiny her past relationships faced. Her current focus appears to be on her work as an actress, producer, and humanitarian, with her romantic status remaining a private matter.