Kim Kholiwe's biography: Her rise on Instagram, cosmetic surgery, car collection, and wealth

Kim Kholiwe's biography: Her rise on Instagram, cosmetic surgery, car collection, and wealth

Kim Kholiwe is a South African social media personality. With the coming of social media, being an Instagram socialite is among the many opportunities that have spurted, enabling people to earn a living online. Read Kim Kholiwe's biography to know how she rose to fame on Instagram and other interesting details about her.

Kim Kholiwe in long curly hair extensions
Kim Kholiwe rose to fame through her Instagram account. Photo: @kim_kholiwe (modified by author)
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways about Kim Kholiwe

  • She keeps her online fans engaged through her spectacular fashion images.
  • Most of Kim Kholiwe's social media pictures and videos are from professional photoshoots.
  • With her beauty and curvaceous body, many cannot resist double-tapping on her posts.
  • Her consistency in showing fans what they want to see has earned her a massive following.

Kim Kholiwe's profile summary

Full nameKimberly Kholiwe Nomode Cindi
Famous asKim Kholiwe
GenderFemale
BirthdateOctober 21, 1997
Zodiac signLibra
BirthplaceSouth Africa
ResidenceSouth Africa
NationalitySouth African
EthnicityAfrican
Hair colorBlack
Eye colorDark Brown
Marital statusUnmarried
ChildOkuhle Hakim Cindi
Alma materUniversity of South Africa
OccupationSocialite, entrepreneur, model, event hostess, and video vixen
Net worthEstimated: $50,000 - $200,000
Instagram@kim_kholiwe

Kim Kholiwe's biography

Kimberly Kholiwe Nomode Cindi (alias Kim Kholiwe) is a socialite and content creator who rose to fame through the use of her Instagram account. She shares fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and family photos and videos on her socials.

What is Kim Kholiwe's age?

Born on October 21, 1997, in South Africa, Kim is 27 years old (as of May 2025). However, the public has doubts about Kim Kholiwe's birthday since some sources claim she is much older.

Some online publications report that Kim is in her mid-30s, information she has never denied or confirmed to be true. For instance, New24 reported on August 17, 2022, that Kim was 30 years old, and on February 20, 2024, Previdar reported that she was 35.

Kim Kholiwe having an orange drink
Facts about Kim Kholiwe. Photo: @kim_kholiwe (modified by author)
Source: Original

Kim Kholiwe's family

Kholiwe was raised by a single mother who is a cancer survivor. Her brother died a month after her baby was born. Speaking about her mum, she told Previdar in February 2024:

Oh, my mom is just everything to me. I was raised by a single parent; although my father is very much alive, we never had a relationship, so my mother was the main parent. And she never made me feel like I needed my dad. She’s been holding it down alone.
There's a time when she had to get an operation as a cancer survivor, and she went alone, and I was only called to collect her. I couldn’t believe how strong she was. She's my best friend; she knows everything about me and doesn’t judge me for anything. Instead, she encourages me to be my best self. I appreciate her. She's up there on the list.

Kholiwe also talked about her late brother in an interview with News24, saying:

My brother's death was really hard. As much as he did drugs and left home, he was still my brother and everyday I prayed for him to be clean. He wanted to be clean.

He wasn't just an addict to me, he was my blood and we shared a serious bond. I wish he could have spent time with my baby, for my baby to know what it is like to have an uncle who loves him. But now I have gained an angel.
He is happy. I was blaming myself for not being there for him but I tried my best, I had to accept what God had planned. I miss getting his phone call asking for R20. I hoped that when he found out that I was going to have a baby, he would quit drugs and come back home. But all is well. I am taking it one day at a time.
Kim takes pictures while pregnant and after having her son
Kim works hard to maintain her lavish lifestyle. Photo: @kim_kholiwe (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Educational background

Not much about her academics aside from her being a graduate of the University of South Africa.

What does Kim Kholiwe do for a living?

Over the years, Kim Kholiwe has grown from being just a dancer, model, and event host to a successful businesswoman, influencer, and reality TV star.

She made her Instagram debut in 2020 with a series of maternity photos. Kholiwe later joined the cast of the Have Faith reality show and promoted the Mint Skin and Laser beauty brand. Outside of Instagram, Kim shares twerking videos on TikTok.

Who is Faith Nketsi's best friend?

Kim Kholiwe has been best friends with Faith Nketsi (alias Queen Twerk) for over 12 years and has matching tattoos on their backs.

Nketsi is a popular South African social media influencer and businesswoman. The two, together with Tebogo Thobejan, a South African actress and influencer, form the "Triple Threat."

The three Instagram socialites/models are known for their beautiful and curvy looks. They were featured in an MTV Africa reality show titled Have Faith.

The reality show revolved around Nketsi's life, including her love life, career, and businesses, along with the personal lives and relationships of her friends and family.

Kholiwe considered herself the leading star of the Have Faith reality show's third season and her bestie, Nketsi, knew that. Kholiwe also looked forward to returning to the show for season four, which premiered in August 2022.

Other key cast members of that show included Andzelo Tivani (Nketsi's former assistant), Refiloe Nketsi Rapolai (Nketsi's cousin), and Kabelo Nketsi (Nketsi's brother).

Kim take pics with Nketsi while pregnant and with her son
Faith Nketsi was supportive of Kholiwe throughout her pregnancy and Kholiwe attended Nketsi's wedding. Photo: @kim_kholiwe (modified by author)
Source: UGC

It appears that the MTV Africa reality show, Have Faith, ended. An Instagram page, @mtvza, mentioned the finale of season 5 in December 2023.

Additionally, News24 reported on Faith Nketsi's separation from her husband, which was also documented on the show, suggesting a likely end to the series.

Nonetheless, there is also mention of season 1-3 being available for streaming on Showmax, indicating that at least some seasons were still available.

A controversy Kim Kholiwe and her BFF were caught in

Faith Nketsi, as well as two of her friends Tebogo Thobejane and Kim Kholwa, were accused in 2018 of running a sex trade business.

Internet users alleged that the three would parade themselves as entrepreneurs and post thirst traps to lure more male clients into securing the bag.

It was assumed that Tebogo got Nketsi into the Instagram modeling game. Allegedly, Nketsi started the "Feline Management Group" alongside Tebogo.

Nketsi was also said to have brought Kholiwe into the IG modeling game later on. The three would then form the "Triple Threat," a group that presumably turned into a touring brothel.

Tebogo, Kim, and Faith have denied pimping girls for money. The three claim haters who were envious of their success wanted to bring them down.

Kim formed the Protwerkers dance group with her BFF

When twerking was the trend, Kim Kholiwe, Faith Nketsi, Refiloe Nktesi Rapolai, Samantha Malinga, and Theresa Malinga joined in as a South African dance group.

They called themselves the Protwerkers and would perform at events and parties. Dancing paved the way for Kim Kholiwe to rise to stardom. She would later grow her brand into a reality TV actress, an influencer, among other things.

Kim Kholiwe poses for the camera in classy outfits
Kim was part of the South African Protwerkers dance group. Photo: @kim_kholiwe (modified by author)
Source: UGC

What kind of surgery did Kim Kholiwe have?

Kim met with the Family practice physician, Dr. Simon Ourian, MD, in Beverly Hills in California, in 2018, and underwent a successful non-surgical chin augmentation procedure.

Kim Kholiwe's surgery involved injecting fillers such as voluma, restylane, and radiesse into certain areas of the chin to increase the length, and width, or project the chin.

The Mzansi model was so happy with the results that she went online to thank Dr. Ourian for performing the procedure on her.

Kim Kholiwe's baby

Kholiwe has a four-year-old son named Okuhle Hakim Cindi. She was in her second trimester when she announced her pregnancy to the public on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, after the trailer of Have Faith season two dropped.

In one episode of Have Faith, Kim told the public the father of her child was a wealthy businessman. One day, she heard from the grapevine that he got married while she was expecting.

After she gave birth, his wife forbade him to visit or form a relationship with the baby Okuhle. The public analyzed her story and concluded that her baby daddy was businessman Hlubi Nkosi, who had recently tied the knot with South African musician/model Londie London.

The rumor was shut down by numerous people who said it was false. Londie London also posted an Instagram Q and A in her stories, and when asked if her husband had fathered Kim Kholiwe’s son, she said no.

Kim Kholiwe's baby daddy attends their son's birthday
Kim told the public the father of her child was a wealthy businessman. Photo: @_baby_okuhle_ (modified by author)
Source: UGC

When asked by Previdar on February 20, 2024:

Do you know when you didn’t know you needed something until you had it?

Kim responded:

It is my boy. He is such a blessing because, when I was engaged to my ex-fiancé, we tried for children for the longest time and just didn’t conceive. And I knew the problem was with me because he had kids.
Okuhle was so unexpected. My pregnancy wasn’t easy at all, but seeing my healthy, bubbly son is all the blessing I need. He motivates me to be better, to do better. I think about generational wealth, and he has fulfilled me in ways I didn’t know I needed...

I am suddenly a homebody, and I think Okuhle has everything to do with it. My friends don’t even invite me to things anymore. But within that, I have come to appreciate my home more, the comfort of it, and the energy that is in it...
Before my son, my favorite color was pink, and almost everything in my house was pink. Pink kettles, pink couches—everything. But I’ve toned it down a little, but my girly side is still very much me.

Kholiwe also shared about her pregnancy journey, her relationship with her friends around that time (during and after the pregnancy), while she was going through a breakup with her baby daddy and post-natal depression. She told News24:

My friends were not there. They were there financially and phoned me but were not there. Emotionally, I was not okay. I lost my brother a month after my baby was born. I had to arrange the funeral and had baby daddy issues. We were going through a breakup and I was getting into a new phase of my life. I needed support from friends.

Even before my baby was born, I was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, which is when you get severe morning sickness. I had extreme vomiting and low blood pressure. I lost weight.
After having my baby, I suffered from post-natal depression. Everything was too much for me. My mum says she saw me going through a lot. I needed friends but they were forcing me to go out, which I didn't want to.
Kim Kholiwe's son sitting on the kitchen top on his birthday celebrations
Kim's son does not share a father with singer Londie London's child. Photo: @_baby_okuhle_ (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Who is Kim Kholiwe's baby daddy?

Kim has shared several images of her baby daddy carrying their son but has yet to reveal his name. The images confirm she does not share a baby daddy with singer Londie London.

Kim Kholiwe's net worth

Online sources report that her estimated net worth of $50,000 - $200,000 comes from her endorsement deals and acting career.

Kim works hard to maintain her lavish lifestyle. She promotes different brands on Instagram and even started a business in 2016 out of her love for hair but the business collapsed much later.

Kim Kholiwe's cars

In December 2021, Kim posted a new black Discovery Land Rover on her Instagram stories and said it was an early Christmas gift from her baby's father.

What languages does Kim Kholiwe speak?

The Mzansi model speaks English and Afrikaans.

Kim Kholiwe's TikTok and Instagram accounts

Her TikTok page, @kim--kholiwe, has 50.4k followers, while her Instagram page, @kim_kholiwe, has 680k followers as of May 2025.

Kim Kholiwe carrying her son
Kim toned down her love for the pink color when she had her son. Photo: @kim_kholiwe (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Not all famous Kims in Korea are related. While Kim is a common surname, representing about 20% of Korea's population, different Kims belong to different clans or bon-gwan. These clans' surnames are inherited from father to child, ensuring that individuals with the same surname and clan are related through that lineage.

Fun facts about Kim Kholiwe

According to her interview with Previdar in February 2024:

  • She travels occasionally for business and leisure.
  • She loves fashion and loves looking good because that makes her feel good.
  • She likes showing skin and ensures her clothes work for her body.
  • She loves all jewelry but loves earrings more since any type of earring looks good on her.
  • She loves sweet-scented perfumes such as Hibiscus Mahajad by Maison Crivelli.
  • Diamonds and pearls are the perfect gifts for her.
  • She prefers lunch dates because she does not like cooking even though she is a great cook.
  • She once visited Paris around Christmas time and loved the Christmas spirit and the snow.

Kim Kholiwe's biography reveals signature things about her that make her who she is. The socialite wears many hats but fame and increased responsibilities do not seem to have changed her one bit. For instance, she still treasures her friendship with Faith Nketsi.

Briefly.co.za shared an article about the life and net worth of Richard Goodall. Richard is best known as the winner of season 19 of America's Got Talent in 2024.

He lives in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he has worked as a school janitor with the Vigo County School Corporation for 23 years. Goodall married his fiancé, Angie Vanoven, in Pasadena, California on September 18, 2024, six days before he was announced the winner of AGT.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Peris Walubengo avatar

Peris Walubengo (Lifestyle writer) Peris Walubengo has vast experience in search engine optimization through digital content generation, research, editing, and proofreading. She joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019 and completed the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.

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Cindy Karimi Cindy K. Karimi is a content creator with more than 4 years of experience. She graduated from Kenyatta University studying Records Management and IT in 2021. Cindy has been with Briefly since 2020, covering content, mainly celebrity biographies and list articles. Cindy is a dog lover and enjoys hiking, swimming and jogging. Tel: +254710217889