With the South African Music Awards just a few hours away, Zanele Potelwa is preparing to take on one of the biggest hosting gigs of her career.

The 5FM presenter was announced last month as the co-host of SAMA32, where she will share the stage with rapper Cassper Nyovest. The ceremony takes place on Saturday, 15 August at the Sun City Superbowl in the North West, under the theme “The Future Sounds Like Now”.

It is a major moment for Zanele, who described the opportunity as a dream come true. Cassper has also said he is looking forward to working alongside her and learning from her while bringing his own energy to the stage.

And while Zanele is no stranger to live broadcasting, there is something to be said for getting advice from someone who has already stood under the bright lights of the SAMAs.

 Nomzamo Mbatha,  actress and media personality was one of the hosts of SAMA25 in 2019, sharing the stage with Mpho Popps for the 2010s segment of the milestone ceremony. The 25th edition featured six presenters representing different eras of South African music, including Bob Mabena and Melanie Bala, as well as Twasa Seoke and Khuli Chana.

Nomzamo certainly made an impression. Her hosting performance formed part of a star-studded evening, while her fashion moments also became part of the SAMA25 conversation. She appeared in a striking custom Gert-Johan Coetzee gown among her looks for the ceremony.

For Zanele, the experience of hosting the SAMAs will come with its own set of pressures. She will be sharing the stage with one of South Africa’s biggest hip-hop stars, while helping steer an evening celebrating the country’s music industry.

But if there is one lesson to take from Nomzamo’s SAMA experience, it may simply be to embrace the moment.

After all, the SAMAs are not just about handing out trophies. They are about music, performance, fashion, personalities and those memorable live television moments that South Africa ends up talking about long after the final award is announced.

And with Zanele and Cassper at the helm, SAMA32 is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about editions yet.

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