In the ever-changing landscape of television, presenting the audience with fresh content and long-lasting entertainment is key.
It is for this reason you have seen dead characters miraculously brought back to life should a particular actor or character be a crowd pleaser. It is also why hit shows eventually dissolve into spin offs to use the familiarity of a winning story but with a fresh take.
Locally, a few shows have enjoyed a run on air that has stretched for years and we see this commonly with our soap opera efforts, but we should also consider variety shows.
Top Billing was an iconic moment in time that eventually dissipated but a similar show that seems to be riding the waves of changes successfully is the morning magazine program, Expresso.
They have been on screen since October of 2011 with no plans to stop. Their formula seems to stick, and they keep tweaking this by adding new elements and talents to keep things fresh.
Their latest addition is Zanele Potelwa who will be providing this production with her vibrant approach to hosting.
“I got my first proper radio job in 2018 at a regional radio station before officially joining the national leagues at 5FM/The SABC and I got my first job in television when I was filling in on Selimathunzi and then they let me stay. So all in all, I've been part of the crazy but oh so beautiful industry for about four years.
Before that, I was volunteering at Tuks FM on and off since 2015 and I was a mentee at 5FM, I would go visit their offices when I wasn't at school and sometimes work at their events doing their guest list or assisting the marketing team where they possibly needed help,” the 29-year-old recounts.
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She seems thrilled with this opportunity and cannot wait to sink her teeth in. The rising star from eMthatha but was raised in iDutywa East London worked at 947 for a year in the very beginning of her career and has been at 5FM since 2019. The SABC is getting as much use out of her as they can as Zanele is still at the lifestyle show Selimathunzi as well as being a regular fixture on SABC Sport and she was the official anchor of the 2023 Netball World Cup.
“Other than that, I am also an MC, a DJ and a voice over artist, my acting skill is one I am still honing and have only really used for adverts, but I can't wait to one day join a soapie or series,” she reveals.
She has had quite the rise and ride so far for someone who didn’t study towards are job in this industry.
“I moved to Johannesburg thinking I was going to be a doctor and hoped to move from my BSc into medicine, but I ended up taking a different route in a BCom and I always thought I would be one of those economists that frequents radio and TV shows with commentary. It was only when I was around 21/22 that I was certain I fully wanted to pursue entertainment, when I saw many of the personalities at 5FM doing it at an awesome level.”
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Expresso is primarily based in Cape Town but having to cater for the audience in Johannesburg has grown in importance to the production and this is what Zanele will help them bolster.
“I enjoy the fact that we're bringing that Johannesburg spice and I feel like this makes Expresso even more powerful and full than before. We have the Cape Town family bringing the beautiful energy they have been consistently and amazingly for so long and we have Kuhle out and about in our beautiful country and beyond, bringing her incredible energy and then we have the Joburg team bringing something fresh and a different kind of spice to our feel good breakfast show menu and I think it's going to be glorious.”
Things have fallen into place for Zanele with a graceful synchronicity but there were a few niggles and obstacles she had to contend with along the way.
“I remember when I tried to go to one of my first auditions for a certain entity and the person asked me what favours I could do for them sexually and I let them know that I was not that person and they told me I wouldn't go far in this industry,” she calmly explains.
“It was a very small challenge because it was crazy to find that the stories, we hear of people asking for such are true, but it made me even more determined to do this my way. I think that in the beginning, it was also difficult to get people to trust me with their events and with different things, but the only way to overcome that is to keep going. Eventually people will see why they can trust you - it's all about making sure you don't stop.”
Despite that, being in front of the camera is of great appeal to her and she revels in her work.
“I enjoy the fact that our work is all about connecting with people from all walks of life. I have a huge passion for people, and I truly believe that entertainment and the media are either about making people forget about their problems or to remind them that they are not alone. Whether we do that by making them laugh or sharing a feel-good story or finding things that they can relate to or be in awe of, people are at the heart of what we do.
“When our listeners thank us on radio for always putting a smile on their faces or getting them through bad days, we always remind them that they do the same for us. It's a true exchange of energies, light and ideas and that's what I love most about the work we do.”
There are many people to emulate when it comes to legendary hosts, from the likes of Bonang Matheba to Jo-Ann Strauss, and so Zanele has not been short on inspirations but what exactly will she be doing differently form the myriad of talents that have come and gone from Expresso and shows that are similar.
“People have always described my personality as effervescent and I truly hope to bring my bubbly nature and I hope to bring a little bit of extra sweetness to Expresso with my humour, my passion for people, as well as; my quirky talents and different way of seeing the world.”
