Newcastle star gives back
The Newcastle Advertiser got the chance to sit down with the young TV presenter, to find out how she made it big in the city of Johannesburg.
In celebration of Youth Month, some young people from Newcastle, who are stars now in Johannesburg, handed over school shoes and food hampers, at Thobani Primary School in Madadeni, on June 14. One such person was Anele Zondo, whose stage name is ‘Ney-the-bae’, and is currently a TV presenter on Mzansi Magic’s Massive Music Show, which airs every Friday on Channel 161.
Zondo grew up in Pioneer Park and went to Huttenpark Primary School, then to Ferrum High School before obtaining a marketing diploma at Boston College.
The Newcastle Advertiser got the chance to sit down with the young TV presenter, to find out how she made it big in the city of Johannesburg.
What role do you think your background played in moulding you into the person you are today?
“I grew up playing a lot of sport and that helped me to be more disciplined, so much that I ended up being a drummie leader. Also having parents, who were teachers, taught me the importance of teaching and helping others. Everyone in my family loves to lend a helping which has made me the person I am today. Also growing up in Newcastle, a small town that is conservative kept me very grounded.”
How would you describe yourself?
“I am a fun person and I love bringing people together. I’m also a very loving, welcoming person, especially when the connection is genuine. I love good energies, so I always try to be around such energies. Always ready to lend a helping hand. I’m very strict when it comes to my work, so much that everything can stop when I’m working. You could say that I’m a perfectionist.”
How would your family describe you?
“Well, crazy can sum it up. I’ve been blessed with a very loving, caring and welcoming family. There’s never a dull moment. Growing up in a household full of females was amazing but they know how to make everything fun and memorable.”
Have you always had a passion for art? TV?
“I’ve always had passion for TV, because growing up I use to call the SABC kid show, YO-TV, everyday, hoping that my call would eventually go through. I think the reason I was active in ballet and some drama classes in school is because I’ve always wanted that light to shine.”
How did you get into TV?
“I found an agent, then I started going to auditions. I started off as an extra and slowly but surely things started falling into place. After a few rejections
“I finally got my big break on Massive Music, after shadowing Lalla Hirayama for a few months.”
Being on the Massive Music Show, how has that experience been for you?
“It has been nothing but amazing, from the way everyone welcomed me with open arms, to learning so much from everyone and the show has helped me grow so much. With that been said, don’t forget to watch me every Friday on Massive Music on Mzansi Magic 161.”
What keeps you grounded?
“Knowing where I come from, my family’s teachings, as much as they are fun and extraordinary they are also strict. The people and friends that I keep around me are always true.”
Who do you look up to?
“Oprah Winfrey, my mom and my older sister.”
What inspires you to wake every day and do what you do?
“Doing what I love and it’s true what they say, ‘if you love what you do, you’ll never work another day in your life.’ My older sister Nono, and my drive to be successful, and to get my brand recognised on a international level.”
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
“I would love to see myself still motivated to do what I do, with a production company in the pipeline, more businesses and more of me on your TV screens and definitely more giving back!”
What message do you have for the youth?
“My motto is, work on plan A until it goes your way, don’t give up and don’t give in until you live what you believe in. Never forget to respect and humble yourself to people.”
How do you deal with criticism?
“I listen to constructive criticism and ignore the ones that don’t build me.”
Do you think you are misunderstood, and why is that?
“People might think that things came easy for me and that’s not true. I have invested a lot of time in my craft. I’ve had the same dream since I was 16, and nine years later I’m starting to see the results.”
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Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za
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