In this week’s A-typical interview, we feature radio presenter, TV personality, author, and comedian Anele Mdoda.
The 36 year old has worked as a radio DJ for South Africa’s most popular commercial radio stations such as 5FM and 947, where she presents the ‘Anele and the Club on 947’ show.
Anele’s TV presenting career began in 2009 when she co-hosted the reality TV show SA’s Got Talent, (based on the British “Got Talent” format).
In 2011, Anele co-presented the SABC magazine, lifestyle and TV series TV to the POWER of 5.
In 2014, Anele presented the docu-reality series Dream School SA which was broadcast on M-Net.
In the same year she co-presented the SABC 3 talk show Tongue In Cheek.
From 2016 to mid-2018, Anele presented her own daily talk-show Real Talk With Anele on SABC 3.
She was nominated as best TV presenter for the 2020 Safta Awards.
The show won in the category best international format show.
She featured as a contestant in the TV reality show Strictly Come Dancing, as a judge on Mzansi Magic’s Clash of the Choirs, as a judge on multiple Miss South Africa Pageants since 2012 and as a guest on a number of TV and radio shows.
She has interviewed the likes of Trevor Noah in his studio in New York, Taraji P Henson, Terence Howard, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran to name a few.
You are stuck in a lift with Helen Zille. What is the first thing you ask Helen?
Please press floor 4.
What is the biggest misconception people have of Anele Mdoda?
That I like to talk ALL all the time.
A restaurant wants to pay homage to you by creating the Anele Mdoda dish. You get to choose what that dish is. What do you choose?
Ribs. I will sample every rib and carrot cake.
The music that most reminds you of your childhood is...?
Brooke Benton and Aretha Franklin
Tupac or Biggie? Who do you choose?
Tupac, because when I was in high school I was crushing on this boy and I learnt Brenda's got a baby so I could impress this crush.
The worst date you've ever been on was....?
One where this guy also organised to meet up with his cousin who ended up being his other date.
If you were arrested with no explanation, what would your friends and family assume you had done?
Lmao! That I got into a scuffle.
You can go up against any SA celebrity in a charity 12 round boxing match. Which celeb do you choose to go up against?
Sizwe Dhlomo because he would let me win.
Heels or sneakers? And why?
Open shoes because my feet sweat.
You are given 10 minutes to interview President Cyril Ramaphosa. What are your three most pressing issues?
What's stopping us from making proper ground on gender-based violence.
Can we chat about the bill that protects the arts in South Africa, and BUSHIRI????