Zana Masombuka

Zana ‘Ndebele Superhero’ Masombuka is a conceptual artist and art director born in 1995, currently living and working in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her work is deeply influenced by her childhood in the rural village of Siyabuswa, KwaNdebele, an experience that permeates her artistic practice. Masombuka holds a degree in International Studies from Stellenbosch University, where she developed a strong understanding of critical thinking, globalization, and the impact of these forces on the African continent. Her art focuses on Africa's active role in shaping the next wave of global change and the importance of telling its own stories to preserve African cultural heritage.

Her work explores the intersection of identity and culture across various media, including photography, film, sculpture, and performance, allowing her to craft compelling visual narratives with a refined aesthetic. Through the character of the "Ndebele Superhero," Masombuka voices the perspective of a 21st-century Ndebele woman, examining themes of modernity, technology, and rituals, while remaining deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of her community.

Masombuka draws inspiration from the words of renowned scholar Ali A. Mazrui, who emphasized that Africans must be the protagonists in narrating their own history and defining Africa on their own terms. This principle guides her work, which seeks to highlight the importance of cultural evolution, particularly within the Ndebele culture, and how it reflects human behavioral patterns and the environments that shape them. She believes that personal representation and authentic storytelling are essential values for this century and asserts that Africans' ability to understand the cyclical nature of history is crucial for their progress and growth.

With her alter ego "Ndebele Superhero," Masombuka embodies a bridge between the past and the future, aiming to transform culture and create a visual dialogue that celebrates African heritage while pushing toward a reimagined future, one built on stories that belong to and empower African people.