At just 23 years old, this South African actress has already captured hearts on and off screen and is using her platform to empower the next generation.
It’s all in a name
One does not need to be in the same room as Ayakha Ntunja to be drawn to her energy. Even telephonically, she exudes the kind of confidence and charm that gets your undivided attention.
The conversation we had, although disrupted by network issues, was captivating and inspiring. We begin the interview with me asking about the meaning behind her name, especially regarding her purpose and destiny.
There’s something profoundly poetic about her name, which, she explains, means “to build” in her native isiXhosa language. Hers isn’t just a name; it’s a calling, somewhat a prophecy of the success she’s attained at such a young age.
Building, it turns out, has been the central theme of her entire life, from her childhood memories to being one of South Africa’s most-watched young talents.
“My grandmother gave me that name,” she reflects. “And at the time, they were contemplating between Ayanda and Ayakha.
My name means to build, whether it’s building myself, those around me, or the legacy of my family,” she says.
“My name is something that I’m slowly living up to and working towards. It’s a part of my identity and who I am in my growth and success so early on in my career.”
And true to her name, Ayakha is already carving out a space for herself in South Africa’s entertainment industry, with standout roles in Youngins, where she plays Amo, and Inimba, where she transforms into Qhawe.
But beyond the screen and the rising star status, her story feels less like a fairytale and more like a mirror that reflects the journey so many young people are fighting for;16 June is a new struggle for the upcoming generation that is now fighting for space, equal opportunities, and making South Africa a conducive place to raise the next generation. Ayakha is at the forefront and shares how it all started.
It all began when…
“I was born in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape in 2003.
I moved to Johannesburg with my family when I was six years old,” she says, adding that although she doesn’t remember much from her earliest days before moving to Johannesburg, she’s always been an entertainer. “I played a lot. I was quite an interesting child.” Although Ayakha grew up…
Read the full cover story with Ayakha in the April-June 2026 issue of TRUELOVE. Buy your copy online via the Media24 Shop here.
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