By Sitha Maliwa:
In a twist no one saw coming, Nicole Nyaba – the sultry socialite once draped in designer labels and caught in the whirlwind of fame during her affiliation with the late rapper AKA = has traded stilettos for spiritual robes. The “baddie” of Instagram fame has now bowed before the sacred drums of Shembe, sending shockwaves across social media.
Known for turning heads with her bold fashion and unapologetic presence, Nicole’s name was once synonymous with glitz, club lights, and whispered tabloid scandals. Now, it’s being echoed through the valleys of KwaZulu-Natal, where Shembe followers gather in sacred worship, barefoot and wrapped in white.
Photos and videos have emerged showing Nicole dressed modestly, her once-glamorous face softened by humility and covered in the traditional regalia of the Nazareth Baptist Church. Eyewitnesses say she was seen walking barefoot, head bowed, surrounded by fellow devotees during a recent Shembe pilgrimage.
Mzansi has been left speechless.
“Is that really Nicole Nyaba?” one user asked on X (formerly Twitter).
“She went from slaying to sanctified = wow!” wrote another.
While some have praised her spiritual awakening, others remain sceptical, calling it a “rebrand” or temporary moment of introspection. But insiders close to Nicole say the transformation is sincere. “She’s tired of the noise,” said a friend who asked not to be named. “She’s been through a lot and found peace in the Shembe way.”
This shift comes at a time when many South African celebrities are seeking deeper meaning beyond fame. Nicole is not alone in choosing a quieter, more grounded life – yet her pivot is among the most dramatic the country has seen in recent memory.
Will she stay the course or return to the bright lights?
Only time – and the path of the prophets – will tell.
But one thing is certain: Nicole Nyaba is no longer the woman we once knew. She has entered a new chapter, one where the echoes of ancestral calling speak louder than applause. – @NewsSA_Online
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