TV and radio star Zanele Potelwa has every reason to celebrate — she’s just been honoured with the Next Big Thing award at the South African Style Awards, and her joy is impossible to miss!
The energetic and bubbly presenter, known for her positive energy on air and on screen, took to social media to share her gratitude after receiving the exciting news. Overflowing with joy and humility, Zanele wrote:
“THANK YOU JESUS. WE WON AN AWARD MY CHAMPIONS!!!! The South African Style Awards celebrates individuals who have in their respective career fields disrupted the creative process of business. The SA STYLE AWARDS named me as the NEXT BIG THING.”
She went on to thank everyone who has been part of her journey — from mentors and colleagues to fans and friends.
“Thank you @zebrasquare001 family and ALL 25 of the incredible judges that thought to put me alongside my Queen @komie_mohale. I don’t think I fully believe it even now because MAN!!! How is God this faithful? Isaiah 55:8-9. This award isn’t something that’s just mine, it belongs to ALL my mentors, bosses, colleagues, friends, family, the media, clients, collaborators and every person that’s been such a pivotal part of this crazy journey. And of course, MY Champions — I love you so much!”
“I have SUCH A LONG way still to go in this journey of my career and my life as a whole, and thankfully I have Jesus guiding me, cause life is wild. I used to ask God for specific things to happen on my timeline. But disappointment taught me that I wasn’t in control — HE was. So I said, ‘What YOU want Jesus, not what I want.’ And friends, HIS WAYS are HIGHER than our ways!”
She added how peace came when she stopped trying to control everything and started trusting God’s plan: “When I saw why He wanted to do things HIS way, it was well worth it. He is able to do exceedingly more than we can imagine. Even when things didn’t go the way I hoped? I was still winning because Jesus knew what He was doing.”
Zanele made it clear that while her faith is her foundation, her success has also been a result of hard work and obedience. “It also took putting in the work, doing what God had put in my hand at the time. Jeremiah 29:11 — ‘For He knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us.’”
Ending her heartfelt message, Zanele gave all the glory to God. “I’ll sing Your praises forever and a day Lord Jesus… I say all of this as an imperfect human, who makes mistakes, who gets impatient with God’s plan, but I try my best to make God proud.”
