It’s Women’s month — and there’s nothing more powerful than something touched by the hands, heart, and healing of a woman.
Whether she’s on screen, behind the mic, or curating safe space for others to speak their truth, Zoy Nombuso Mngomezulu is proof that when a woman creates, she doesn’t just entertain — she transforms.
Many South Africans first came to know her as an actress on popular soapies such as Generations, Muvhango, Harvest, Vutha, and the short film Ingane KaBaba. But today, Zoy is no longer just telling stories — she’s holding space for others to tell theirs.
As the Executive Creative Producer and host of the emotionally honest podcast, Sip, Paint & Vent, Zoy blends art, storytelling, and conversation to create a space for healing, reflection, and raw human connection.
In this exclusive Women’s month feature with Africa Jamz FM News, Zoy opens up about why she believes healing is a communal act — and how her podcast is helping people speak about what they have carried in silence for far too long.
The birth of Sip, Paint & Vent podcast
Zoy’s podcast is a safe haven where emotions flow freely and voices are truly heard. She opens up about the inspiration behind the show—and the unexpected healing she’s found through it.
“Sip, Paint & Vent was born from a deep need for an honest, non-judgmental space — a space where people could show up with their truths, their trauma, their joy, and simply express. I have always believed that creativity is a sacred language, and sometimes, words alone aren’t enough. So I brought together storytelling and painting because they unlock different emotional layers. One liberates the voice, the other frees the soul.
“Personally? This format has been a form of therapy. In pouring paint onto canvas and sharing my story — no matter how messy, raw, or vulnerable — I have found pieces of myself I didn’t even know were missing. The healing came in waves: in the silence between brush strokes, in the laughter between strangers, in the collective exhale of people realizing, “I’m not alone.” That’s powerful. That’s purpose,” said Zoy.
Moving through many creative spaces
Zoy has explored various creative paths—acting, visual art, and public speaking—but at the heart of it all is her focus on human connection. She shares why, now more than ever, she believes it’s essential for people to feel truly seen and heard.
“That’s the thread that ties all my work together — human connection. Whether I’m acting, painting, speaking, or just holding space, my intention is always to remind people that they matter. In this particular season of life — where so much feels fast, filtered, and performative — the most radical thing you can offer someone is presence.
“To be seen and heard is to be validated. And validation is healing. It’s liberation. It’s how we begin to rewrite the stories we were too afraid to tell. I think we have all reached a point where surface-level won’t cut it anymore. People are hungry for depth, for truth, for real connection that says, “I see you. I hear you. And your voice has value.”
“So yes — I move through different mediums, but the mission remains the same: creating spaces where people remember who they are, not just who the world told them to be,” said Zoy.
Quiet struggles people carry
Drawing from her own experience, Zoy reflects on the silent battles many people face—particularly within our communities—and how Sip, Paint & Vent creates space for those hidden truths to finally be voiced.
“One of the most heartbreaking things I have learned is how loudly people can suffer in silence — especially in our communities. There’s this inherited expectation to “be strong,” to hold it together, to pray it away, to pretend we are not falling apart. But behind the smiles, the degrees, the church hats, and the curated Instagram posts — people are carrying grief, childhood wounds, gender-based trauma, depression, shame, and invisible exhaustion. And because so much of it is unspoken, it festers.
“Sip, Paint & Vent cracks that silence open. It gives people permission to release — not just through words, but through colour, movement, and shared presence. It’s gentle, it’s creative, but it’s also deeply confrontational in the most loving way.
“Someone might come just to paint, but leave having named a pain they have never admitted out loud. That’s the power of the space — it’s not about fixing people. It’s about witnessing them, allowing what’s hidden to rise, and trusting that healing starts the moment truth is given a voice,” said Zoy.
Vulnerability at the heart of Sip, Paint & Vent podcast
Vulnerability lies at the core of Zoy’s podcast. She recounts moments during episodes that stirred something deep within her, challenged her thinking, and led to personal growth.
“Absolutely — vulnerability isn’t just a theme on the podcast, it’s the heartbeat. One of the moments that stayed with me was in the last episode, when S’phiwe Mtshali shared how he almost took his own life. His father saw him heading toward the outside cloakroom and stepped in — a moment that ultimately saved him. That shook me to my core. I’ve known S’phiwe personally from our days on Generations, and I had no idea we came that close to losing him. It reminded me how silent some of our deepest battles can be, even for those we think we know well.
“I was also deeply moved by mam’ Mandisa Dlanga — a living jazz legend — who joined me for an interview. Even at 72, she spoke with such passion about still wanting to perform, having recently released an album. Her energy was a beautiful reminder that purpose doesn’t expire and passion doesn’t fade.
“And honestly? What humbled me the most was the willingness of such big names to show up for a podcast that’s still finding its feet. They didn’t measure its worth by numbers; they came for the heart of it. It affirmed for me that when you lead with authenticity, you attract people who value it.
“They say you attract who you are — so maybe, just maybe, I’m doing something right. Lol,” said Zoy.
Your voice was never a mistake
For anyone still afraid to speak their truth or feeling like their voice doesn’t matter, Zoy offers a message as the conversation draws to a close—one that comes straight from the space she’s creating through her work.
“We have been conditioned to believe that silence is safer. That we must shrink ourselves to fit in, to survive, to not “make things awkward.” But what I have learned — through Sip, Paint & Vent and through my own healing — is that silence can become a prison. And freedom begins the moment you choose to speak, even if it’s just a whisper.
“You don’t need a big platform or perfect words. You just need the courage to start — to trust that your voice was never a mistake. The space I’m holding through this work is not about performance. It’s about permission. Permission to feel, to break, to rebuild, to be seen, and most importantly — to belong.
“You matter. Your story matters. And when you are ready, there’s a canvas and a chair waiting for you. We will sip, we will paint, we will vent — and we will heal together,” said Zoy.
Upcoming Sip, Paint & Vent event
Building on her remarkable achievements, Zoy will be hosting an event on 9 August 2025. If you feel inspired and are interested in attending, please find the event details below.
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