I’m Zenhlanhla—though most people simply call me ZEN—an award-winning art director, creative storyteller, and the creative director of the Abolova Collective. My career has been shaped by an unwavering passion for creativity and design, coupled with a relentless drive for excellence. This dedication has earned me recognition as a Design Indaba Emerging Creative and a Decorex Young Creative—milestones that cemented my place in South Africa’s creative industry and affirmed my commitment to bold, impactful visual storytelling.

With nearly a decade in the advertising industry, I’ve spent much of my career at Ogilvy Cape Town, where I’ve been the lead art director on Carling Black Label, the country’s most awarded and best-selling beer brand. I’ve played a key role in some of the brand’s most successful campaigns, from the FIFA Score Predictor to the multi-year #NO-EXCUSE initiatives tackling gender-based violence. My approach blends conceptual depth with cultural relevance, delivering campaigns that engage audiences, shift perceptions, and create measurable impact.

Beyond agency work, I lead the Abolova Collective—a creative platform dedicated to documenting and amplifying the black township experience. My focus is particularly on abolova, the often-overlooked unemployed black youth. Through striking visuals and authentic storytelling, I aim to preserve their narratives, challenge stereotypes, and bring their realities into the broader cultural conversation.

Whether in commercial advertising or documentary work, I approach every project with vision, cultural insight, and uncompromising execution. My goal is to create work that not only captures attention in the moment but resonates and leaves a lasting imprint.