Nothando Mabuza-Chiume Asks for Support to Chase Her Los Angeles Dream
OkMzansi | 13.07.2026 17:15
The daughter of the late legendary actress Connie Chiume, actress Nothando Mabuza-Chiume, is asking South Africans to help her as she prepares to return to Los Angeles to continue chasing her dream of building an international career in the entertainment industry.
The actress has launched a BackaBuddy campaign titled “Road to Los Angeles.” The fundraiser will help support her journey to study Performing Arts at a Conservatory Program in Los Angeles.
Nothando hopes to raise R150,000 to cover the costs of her studies and relocation. At the time of writing, the campaign had raised only R885.
According to Nothando, the funds raised will go toward Conservatory registration fees, accommodation preparation and deposits, visa and travel preparation, as well as study materials and settling costs as she transitions into the program.
The actress also shared an emotional message on Instagram, opening up about her personal journey and why she decided to ask the public for help.
She wrote, “Road to Los Angeles (Link on bio). I’ve gone back and forth about sharing this… but I’ve learned that sometimes faith requires you to be seen.”
Nothando admitted that she has quietly carried many struggles.
“For a long time, I’ve carried things quietly. Grief. Pressure. Expectations. The assumption that I’m ‘okay’… that I have everything I need. But the truth is, I’m still building, still healing, still finding my way.”
She said she has worked hard to make things happen where she is but has realised that sometimes growth means stepping into a new environment.
“I’ve poured so much into trying to make things work where I am, and while I’m grateful for every lesson, I’ve come to understand that growth sometimes requires movement.”
Nothando revealed that a recent visit to Los Angeles changed something inside her.
“Two months ago, I was in Los Angeles… and something in me shifted. I felt a peace I haven’t felt in a long time. I felt light. I felt aligned. I felt like I could finally breathe again.”
She added, “So I’m choosing to listen to that.”
The opportunity to return to Los Angeles this October means much more than studying for her. It is also about rebuilding her future and continuing her healing journey.
She shared, “This October, I’ve been given the opportunity to return to LA to study scriptwriting and acting, to complete my qualification and work toward my associate’s degree.”
She continued, “But more than anything, this is about answering a deeper call to rebuild my life, my purpose, and my spirit.”
Nothando described the journey as deeply personal.
“This journey is deeply personal. It’s about choosing life again. Choosing healing. Choosing myself.”
She admitted that asking for help was not easy but said she could not do it alone.
“I won’t pretend this is easy for me to say, but I need support.”
The actress encouraged those who are able to contribute, no matter how small the donation, and said that even sharing her campaign could make a difference.
She ended her heartfelt message by saying, “I’m launching my BackaBuddy Campaign: Road to Los Angeles, and I’m trusting God to meet me through the people who believe in me.”
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