The Anele Podcast

They say the higher you fly, the further you fall. Melinda Ferguson can attest to that. At age 23, she had the world at her feet. And then she had her first hit of heroin. And she fell. Hard. From award-winning filmmaker and actress to homeless on the streets of Hillbrow. But this is not the story of Melinda’s fall. It’s the story of her comeback. From a newly-recovering addict to an ever-evolving...

If you’ve watched The Polygamist , you’ll know how “just one episode” can turn into hours of hitting “next episode”. That’s the power of a story that refuses to let you go, and the woman behind it. In this episode, we host Sue Nyathi: novelist, screenwriter, investment analyst and single mother. Born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Sue moved to Johannesburg amid an economic meltdown, while writi...

There are few people who can so elegantly balance success and humility, access and restraint, familiarity and boundaries. Fewer still can distil brilliant ideas into practical execution with such finesse. Sibu Mabena is one of them. At just 34, Sibu is the founder and chief creative officer of award-winning creative communications agency Duma Collective, as well as the founder of Golden Thread Afr...

Fresh out of Limpopo, Rami Chuene experienced an act of kindness that kick-started her career over 25 years ago. It came in the form of velvet shoes and a delightful little dress. A winning combination for a woman on her way to becoming one of the most-loved entertainers in South Africa. Since then, kindness has truly become her currency, but it hasn’t come without a price. Rami is known for calli...

Breathe in. And out. Hold the exhale a little longer. A single intentional breath is the starting point for the practical yet powerful BRAVE framework. Its creator, Zuraida Jardine, went from making history as the first woman to host a daytime slot on 5FM to making her mark in mental fitness. After fronting the second season of Big Brother and winning the inaugural season of Strictly Come Dancing...

Can you pinpoint a moment in childhood that shaped your inner voice? A moment in which you decided your worth in the world? For Bontle Moloi that moment happened at 6 years old. In today’s episode this award-winning multi-disciplinary artist, choreographer and dance educator, shares how she is challenging her inner voice, to honour the woman she’s become. Together with internationally-acclaimed sh...

You can’t outrun your passion. And if you have the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the Mokone Sisters, that passion can take you from small-time business to a booming global empire. But make no mistake: their road to success was neither easy nor direct. It was a bumpy ride, but one they recall with humour, grace and gratitude. Sisters Mo and Michelle Mokone share their incredible story, w...

Anele Mgudlwa in conversation with Zizo Beda. Prepare to be invigorated by this captivating season premiere. Within moments, you’ll be welcomed into an intimate circle of friendship and be fully immersed in every laugh shared and tear shed. That’s the profound effect of today’s guest, Zizo Beda . While she is best known as beloved show host of Selimathunzi and winner of Miss Teen SA 2006, her most...

Welcome to the inspiration station. Hop aboard as we ride full-steam ahead in Part 2 of our fantastic finale. Today, internationally-acclaimed media personality and show host, Anele, is joined by a dynamic group of guests, for a journey filled with lively debate, insights, anecdotes, LOL moments and much more. Here’s an idea of what to expect… The beautiful, bubbly and brilliant, Pearl Thusi, is a...

From vices to victories. From legwork to legacy. From crowning beauty to cushions of compassion. From 9 to 5 to 24/7 thrive. We explore it all in today’s fantastic finale. Setting the scene is globally-award-winning media personality and show host, Anele and fellow media star, Mantsoe. Together they welcome two of the loveliest legends: double honours professional and founder of South African hair...

Ladies, shut the door, set your phone to ‘do not disturb’ and put on your noise-cancelling headphones. You don’t want to miss a moment of this. Raucously funny and brutally honest, today’s episode is jam packed with truth bombs and golden nuggets as Anele sits down with two brilliant businesswomen, who are rocking their industries and the world. From calculating salaries at 12 years old, to sellin...

From eyebrows and edges, to conversations and conflict. From putting on a brave face, to putting down boundaries. From taking the hard knocks to finding the soft spots. Navigating motherhood in 2026 is a constant learning experience. The tests are hard, and the lessons can be even harder. While there’s so much information out there, many women still wonder if they’re getting it right. And what doe...

In a hotel room in Spain, in a quiet broadcasting studio, on an international sabbatical, three women finally feel the right to exhale. The right to grieve the loss of a loved one or the loss of themselves. Because for days, months or even years, they’ve been holding it altogether. Continually pouring into others. But no one was pouring back into them. This is an experience shared on today’s episo...

Why is joy so expensive? And why does it feel so hard to come by? If you’re in this predicament, you’re not alone. 96% of South African women say joy doesn’t come easily (First for Women Here & Now Report). For most, it takes a lot of planning, effort, and even permission. And when we have the financial freedom to activate that joy, we still feel the need to explain ourselves. Today we unravel...

“Beef or oxtail bouillon cube for the stew?” can you think of a more frivolous question to answer while choosing a coffin for your mother’s funeral? Today’s guest, Nozipho Tshabalala can answer that – and how this moment illuminated her relationship with control. A relationship that began at the tender age of 5. Imagine surviving a petrol bomb, being smuggled off to another family, having to chang...

Lynn Forbes , widely known as AKA’s mom, joins Anele Mdoda alongside her best friend of 25 years, Pilani Bubu . Together, they open up about the profound loss of loved ones. Sharing the things left unsaid, the weight of grief, and how these experiences have reshaped their lives. The conversation also turns to independence and entrepreneurship. Unpacking the realities of being your own boss, the hi...