A young East London radio presenter will soon be one of the most recognisable voices in the land after taking up a position at 5FM.
Zanele Potelwa, 25, will have her own weekday show at the radio station. It’s another pivotal moment in her career after she recently won the Bright Star Award at the coveted Liberty Radio Awards – an award that recognised her potential in the industry.
“5FM approached me a month ago and asked me to do the 1am to 4am show, Monday to Friday. They knew me from the work I did with the station as a volunteer as well as my work with the drive show at Tuks FM,” the former Hudson Park High School pupil said.
She is elated to be joining 5FM, and said the work the station was doing to groom young talent and open up the the radio industry was particularly appealing.
“One of the big reasons I decided to take this opportunity is that 5FM ran a presenter search where they selected young radio enthusiasts as contributors on my show. These presenters will keep us up to date with the happenings of the country. That really excited me because it is a pioneering idea; something new and fresh,” Potelwa said.
She said the experience she had gained from working on various radio platforms had taught her the importance of hard work.
“Radio has taught me to genuinely give myself to something that I love and something that I have a vision for. My first official radio job was with Gauteng-based station 947. I was doing ground work with activations for different shows at the station. I worked seven days a week,” she said.
At 5FM, Potelwa will rub shoulders with the likes of Roger Goode, Thando Thabete and Fix.
“I hope this opportunity to join the 5FM family will inspire other young girls and guys to know that it is possible. I always speak of my belief in God and that God can make all things happen. All the support I have received from people back home and even on social media has been so encouraging,” Potelwa said...