“Elegant and Beautiful”: World Cup Stunner Drops a Proudly SA Video From the US, SA Wowed
- South African social media personality Thato Mokone turned heads in New York City wearing vibrant Zulu traditional attire
- Thato previously grabbed global attention when World Cup stadium cameras zoomed in on her stunning traditional look
- South Africans online praised her for proudly flying the flag and keeping her culture alive abroad
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Source: TikTok
KwaZulu-Natal's Thato Mokone took her cultural pride all the way to Times Square. On 16 August 2026, she posted a video on her TikTok account @thatgirlthato_, strutting through one of the world's busiest intersections in full Zulu traditional regalia, and it stopped people in their tracks.
Dressed in colourful beadwork across her forehead and neck, a vibrant skirt featuring the South African flag, and carrying a traditional staff, Thato moved through the New York City crowds with unmistakable confidence. She smiled and danced to Maskandi music as pedestrians moved around her, many of them stopping to look.
Times Square meets Zulu heritage
Thato is no stranger to the spotlight. She first captured global attention when stadium cameras at the FIFA World Cup zoomed in on her in the stands, showcasing her striking traditional look to audiences worldwide. That moment made her a recognisable face for South African cultural pride. Her Times Square appearance built on that moment. Seeing her carry that same energy through the streets of New York resonated deeply with South Africans watching from home, many of whom felt she was doing something bigger than just posting a video.
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Watch Thato dance through Times Square in full Zulu regalia in the TikTok video below:
Mzansi reacts to Thato's New York moment
For many viewers, the video was more than a travel post. It was a reminder that South African culture belongs on every stage, including the middle of New York City.
User @BIG MAMA!! 🚯 wrote:
"Ngiyazi qhenya ngawe, yazi ❤️ (I am so proud of you, you know ❤️)."
User @Noma_2425 said:
"Ohh lovely, Thato. You have an audience behind you 🥰."
User @SiphoNx commented:
"Elegant and beautiful ❤️👌."
User @Majola 🇿🇦 added:
"Springboks ziyeza apho sithandwa (The Springboks are coming there, my love). Please represent us 🥰❤️🇿🇦🇿🇦."
User @🇿🇦-my-motherland ❤️🌸 shared:
"Muhlezana [gorgeous], I'm sending love from Limpopo Province 💯🔥🥰."
5 Briefly News World Cup-related article
- A local content creator admitted she only recently learned during the World Cup that Bafana Bafana is a nickname rather than the official name of the national team.
- South African content creator Thato Mokone went viral after being spotted on live TV in full Zulu traditional regalia during a Bafana Bafana World Cup qualifier match, leaving viewers in awe of her beauty.
- An audio-less video shared online captured a tense interaction between a South African man and a woman at the stadium during South Africa’s World Cup match, sparking a global debate.
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Source: Briefly News
