Zola Mhlongo, a celebrated South African radio presenter, actress, and media personality, is making significant strides in her entertainment career. The 31-year-old actress, known for her role on Mzansi Magic’s *My Brother’s Keeper* and as co-host of the weekend breakfast show on Metro FM, is thriving in both television and radio. However, while her fans adore her on the radio, her role as Nkosazana on *My Brother’s Keeper* has sparked mixed reactions.
### Balancing Radio and Television Success
Zola Mhlongo has been juggling her thriving radio career alongside her acting, and she is booked and busy in both spheres. Speaking about her career journey, Zola reflected on how she is embracing her talents. “To be quite honest, God’s grace is sufficient. I’m really just pouring my heart and soul into all my God-given talents. This is only the beginning. I know there’s still so much that needs to be done and so much that I need to achieve,” she told the publication.
While she is loved on the airwaves, her portrayal of Nkosazana on *My Brother’s Keeper* has been met with a more controversial reception. Her character started as a makhwapheni (side-chick) and evolved into a potential second wife, a storyline that has kept viewers glued to the screen and sparked intense discussions online. As a result, Zola often trends on social media, with many commenting on her character’s journey.
### Zola’s Thoughts on Her Role
In a candid interview, Zola expressed how much she enjoyed playing Nkosazana and how she has learned from the character. “My character on *My Brother’s Keeper* is a very special character. I’ve absolutely loved playing her and enjoyed learning from her. A woman who is really ambitious and prizes her work, but at the same time, in need of belonging,” Zola explained.
Despite some viewers disliking her character, Zola takes the negative feedback in stride, acknowledging that it’s a testament to the show’s writing and her portrayal. “I completely enjoy people’s reactions and completely understand where they’re coming from. It’s just such a blessing to be able to evoke emotions in people you don’t even know. This journey is a blessing. All the hate is a response to a beautifully written storyline. I appreciate it so much,” she added.
### Success on Metro FM
Apart from her acting career, Zola is also enjoying success on Metro FM, where she co-hosts the weekend breakfast show alongside Somizi Mhlongo, Andile Ncube, and Keorapetse Hlope. The show has garnered a significant following, partly due to their viral social media presence. Every Saturday, Zola and her co-hosts post videos of themselves dancing, much to the delight of their audience.
“The show is put together by talented individuals. It has a mission of creating good radio that is memorable for every listener. Since our generation has moved to a more digital era, it was important for us to also drive all those on digital platforms to us on the airwaves,” Zola shared.
She also highlighted the popularity of the show’s golden oldies segment, which evokes nostalgia and appreciation for timeless music. The dancing, she noted, began spontaneously but quickly became a staple of the show. “We formalized it, and it became a hot trend on our show. We, along with our listeners, look forward to it every single week,” Zola said.
### Future Endeavors
Zola’s future looks just as bright as her current endeavors. She revealed that she has several exciting projects in the pipeline. In addition to her work on *My Brother’s Keeper* and her radio show, she’s involved in other ventures, including a shapewear company called Undefined Shapes.
“Check out *How to Manifest A Man*, which is another show that I’m currently on. Don’t forget to check out Undefined Shapes, which is my shapewear company. Please stay glued to your television screens. I’ve mentioned on my social media that *Show Me Your Funny* is coming to your screens soon,” Zola teased.
With her continued success across multiple platforms, Zola Mhlongo is a force to be reckoned with in South African entertainment, and fans are eager to see what she does next.