Jozi FM’s beloved presenter, Penny Ntuli, is on the road to recovery after suffering from mild hypothermia during a terrifying snowstorm on the N3 highway over the weekend. Ntuli, who hosts the popular “Mid-Morning Chat” show, shared her ordeal of being trapped in her car amid a blizzard while en route to a funeral in KwaZulu-Natal.
What began as a routine journey quickly turned into a life-threatening situation when heavy snowfall caused traffic on the N3 to come to a complete halt. Speaking to Jozi FM, Ntuli revealed how her initial excitement over the unexpected weather soon turned to fear as conditions worsened. “I was thrilled at first,” she said. “I even took pictures of the snow, which looked so beautiful. But when it started piling up to the height of my car door, I realized we were in serious danger. I didn’t think we were going to make it.”
The severity of the storm left many stranded for hours, and tragically, two people succumbed to hypothermia. Ntuli, visibly shaken by the events, expressed her sorrow at the loss of life. “I’m so hurt. People lost their lives, some on their way to bury their loved ones,” she lamented.
Despite the frightening circumstances, Ntuli managed to stay calm, thanks in part to the support she received from her colleagues at Jozi FM. Dr. Mpho Mhlongo and Tshepo Makgopa stayed in constant contact with her throughout the ordeal, offering guidance and reassurance as she waited for the snow to subside.
In the end, it was not by sheer willpower that Ntuli survived, but rather, she attributes her safety to a higher power. “It was not by our own wisdom to survive this, but by God’s grace,” she reflected. With the snow piling up dangerously high around her vehicle, she had serious doubts that she would make it through the night.
Following the incident, Ntuli decided to take a short break from her duties at Jozi FM to recover. She reassured her fans that she would be back on the airwaves soon. “I will be back at work very soon,” she promised, determined not to let the experience keep her down for long.
Jozi FM’s Facebook page has since been flooded with messages of support and well-wishes from fans and followers. One user, Pumla Ngesi, commented, “There are angels in human form, and God found one in Penny Ntuli. The way I cried to God when I learned about her own predicament after helping others. I told God that as a nation, we cannot afford another death of a celebrity. May you recover fully and wholly, daughter of the Most High. Your best days are yet to come. Receive my love all the way from the Eastern Cape.”
Another user, Bee Jansen, expressed admiration for Ntuli’s courage and selflessness during the crisis. “You were there for a reason. You couldn’t bury your own but ended up saving others. You became the voice of the voiceless. You kept us updated. We relied on your updates to a point where we were shaken when you didn’t respond. Thank you, Mphemba.”
The outpouring of love and support for Ntuli is a testament to the impact she has on her listeners and community. As she takes the time she needs to recuperate, her fans eagerly await her return to the airwaves, where her resilience and positivity will undoubtedly continue to inspire many.