From viral laughs to real-life challenges, Zukhanye 'Zuki' Lamani is winning hearts online while tackling a R240K UCT debt and navigating the highs and lows of fame. Picture: Instagram/expressoshow
Image: Instagram/expressoshow
Digital content creator Zukhanye ‘Zuki’ Lamani is known for her funny entertainment videos on social media, which have led her to have a large following.
Through her humor and personality, Lamani has built herself into an accomplished professional using social media. Her journey on social media has not been all roses, with scrutiny following her as with most public figures.
A few years ago, Lamani took to social media to make a plea for financial assistance to settle her jaw-dropping University of Cape Town bill, amounting to a staggering R240,000, to re-register for her studies.
Originally from Khayelitsha in Cape Town, Lamani was studying towards a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Media Studies at the University of Cape Town.
Speaking to IOL, Lamani confirmed that the debt is still there and she is still working on it. “It’s quite a huge debt, it won’t be easy to pay it off, but I am going to end up getting that degree.”
Lamani is loving her journey as a digital content creator, but does admit that it gets hectic, especially when people are saying different things about you.
“It does get hard because sometimes you are not given a chance to explain yourself, as people decide on you through what they see on social media. They have never met you, but they have already made assumptions and formed decisions about your character.
“It does get hard, but I am enjoying it, and I’ve got to understand it comes with the package.”
Having had her fair share of moments dealing with controversy, from that awkward fan girl moment with Siya Kolisi and her name being brought up when it comes to a young woman’s death, Aviwe JamJam at the hands of her boyfriend.
Lamani has learnt how to deal with the negativity that comes with social media.
“I always say we're not all going to agree on the same thing. You might not understand the context of what I mean, or maybe it’s offensive to you.
“I remind myself that things blow over and not everyone will agree with you, and you just have to be humble enough to know that not everyone is going to be on your side.”
Lamani’s funny streak has made her Instagram Live videos go viral thanks to her unfiltered raw content; she treats her followers like her friends and has one big laugh with them online.
IOL Entertainment
