COVER: Anele Zondo – In Her Era of Living The Dream
The story and journey of Anele Zondo has been one that has been sprinkled with purpose and divine intervention. Where she allowed the ‘universe’ aka God to channel her into a life of destiny – peeling off the layers of her many talents one journey at a time.
Known to everyone as a TV presenter, the multi-talented artist revealed over the years her musical side. And as much as that journey seemed to have ‘just happened’, like some sort of a big bang, Zondo has always been surrounded by music from a tender age.
“My musical influences go way back to when I was a little girl, growing up in a household where my father enjoyed great music. I also sang in the worship group and always had music as deep desire,” she said.
The release of her debut EP showcased exactly that, with her leading single INGWE marking her space within the music industry, being featured on two series’ while also making the much deserved waves across different music platforms.
“I feel like my journey, starting off with presenting a music show, was preparing me for the music. It layed a much needed foundation because I was surrounded by music. That helped me understand the craft far better because I was within it. And when the time came for me to venture in it, I knew I was ready,” she said.
Zondo had always known she belonged in this industry. Leaving her hometown in KwaZulu-Natal right after her matric year and coming to Johannesburg, with the sole aim of pursuing the dream. She studied media studies at Boston Media House, all the while keeping her eyes steady on the price of making it in the industry.
“When I got eliminated from the MTV VJ in 2017, I remember calling my mother and crying so much. I just felt rejected by this profession that I yearned to excel within so much. I kept questioning what it would take for me to finally be noticed and feeling, in the beginning, like I was hitting a brick wall. But like clockwork, in that very same year, I landed the acting gig on 1Magic’s The River and I couldn’t believe it when I also landed the Massive Music gig.
“When I went to my agent’s offices, I signed two contracts and it all felt so surreal. How did I move from not having anything, getting rejected, to signing two contracts?! It really felt like divine timing,” she said.
Since then, the star has been ushered into the right rooms by purpose. Meeting the right people and sitting in the right spaces.
“I was always in awe of everything that unfolded right before my eyes. Sitting in boardrooms with revered people like Sindy Dlathu or even getting mentored by the amazing Lalla Hirayama. Basically, that moment signified the many years of envisioning myself living my dreams. It all happened in just one moment.”
And since the beginning of her career, she remained focused. Maybe too focused because, now in hindsight, she wished she had let loose a little.
“But again, it was that focus that allowed me to keep a level head always. Never allowing the industry to ‘swallow’ me or change me. I have kept the same friends as I did many years ago, I have managed to carve a name for myself because I always made it a point to channel my energies into my work. I have also always kept a very private demeanor about me. Never sharing beyond my work,” she said laughing.
Her recent open mic verse, that made the rounds on twitter, was enough to remind everyone of the star that she is. “A fragile baddy” – as she calls herself. She is working on new music with the likes of Boity, with a full body of work due to drop in the summertime. The busy superstar is on the move and busy on numerous projects “which I can’t say much about as yet, but there are a lot of exciting things happening,” she said.
“I am also nominated for three awards for this year’s Basadi in Music Awards and I am besides myself. What a recognition, what an honour. I am so proud to be associated with an awards ceremony that recognises us as the hard working queens that we are. It is also so refreshing to be a part of an awards ceremony that is ruled by women. I’ve seen too many male dominated spaces and now celebrating our artistry with my fellow queens is phenomenal,” she said.
Ready to take all three awards home, Zondo is also building an awards shelf in her house. “I am manifesting the start to an amazing journey within the music industry that I completely dedicated to. It’s so exciting to finally do what your heart has always yearned and I am ready for the good things to come,” she said with excitement.
