Anele Zondo is a South African actress, television presenter, rapper, and businesswoman best known for her role as Faith on 1Magic’s telenovela The River. The multi-talented entertainer, also known by her stage name “Neythebae,” has captivated audiences through her presenting work on Massive Music, her music career, and her reality show The Glow Up.
Anele Zondo Biography
| Full name | Anele Zondo |
| Stage name | Neythebae (Ney the Bae) |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | September 24, 1994 |
| Age | 31 years old (as of February 2026) |
| Place of birth | Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Current residence | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | Zulu |
| Zodiac sign | Libra |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 0 in (152 cm) |
| Weight | Around 121 lbs (55 kg) |
| Body measurements | Approximately 32-30-35 inches |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Marital status | Single |
| Boyfriend | Dating (as of 2026) |
| Children | One daughter (Moä) |
| Alma mater | Boston Media House, Johannesburg |
| Profession | Actress, television presenter, rapper, businesswoman, MC, voice-over artist |
| Net worth | Estimated $250,000 to $300,000 |
Who is Anele Zondo?
Anele Zondo is a television presenter, radio host, actress, MC, voice-over artist, and musician from Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal.
She rose to prominence as the co-host of Channel O’s flagship music show Massive Music alongside Lalla Hirayama and Smash Afrika.
The youngest of four daughters, Anele was born to parents who both work in education—her father is a school principal and her mother is a teacher.
She made her breakthrough in acting with her recurring role as Faith on 1Magic’s popular telenovela The River.
Her Zulu heritage plays an essential role in her music and work, and she credits her upbringing in Newcastle for shaping her creative journey.
Anele started practicing her presenting skills at home at 16 years old, recording herself on a laptop.
How old is Anele Zondo? Age and birthday
Anele Zondo is 31 years old as of February 2026. She was born on September 24, 1994, in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Her zodiac sign is Libra.
Anele Zondo’s height, weight, and body measurements
Anele Zondo stands approximately 5 feet 0 inches tall (152 cm) and weighs around 121 pounds (55 kg). Her body measurements are estimated at around 32-30-35 inches (bust-waist-hips). She has black hair and dark brown eyes.
The media personality has been open about undergoing cosmetic procedures. In 2025, she revealed that she had a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) to address her insecurities about having hip dips.
Fat was removed from her stomach and transferred to her hips. She shared that this was a personal decision to boost her confidence.
Career
Early beginnings
Anele’s passion for presenting started when she was 16 years old, recording herself on her laptop at home.
After completing high school, she moved to Johannesburg and enrolled at Boston Media House in 2013, where she obtained a National Diploma in Media Studies along with two TV presenting certificates.
While studying, she worked as a receptionist and provided services to third-year videography students who needed presenters for their projects. Growing up, she also worked for Mozondo Food Services, a food business owned by her sister.
Acting career
Anele’s acting journey began with small roles. Her first appearance was as a receptionist in the TV series It’s Complicated, followed by a cameo role as Busi in Saints and Sinners on Mzansi Magic.
Her big break came in 2018 when she landed the recurring role of Faith on 1Magic’s telenovela The River, where she played Andile’s girlfriend opposite Lunga Mofokeng. This role gained her massive recognition and opened doors to more opportunities.
She also appeared in the 2022 action film Gereza.
Television presenting
Anele’s presenting career took off when she landed the co-hosting gig on Channel O’s Massive Music. She co-hosted the music show for four years, from 2017 to 2022, alongside Lalla Hirayama and Smash Afrika. Her vibrant personality and fashion sense made her a fan favorite.
In 2020, she became the host of SABC1’s One Mic, a show that ranked among the top 15 most-watched programs in Africa.
She also co-hosted Telkom Monate Vibes on SABC 1 with comedian Lasizwe Dambuza, describing it as a dream come true.
In April 2022, Anele bid farewell to Massive Music after four successful years on the show, performing her debut single “Ingwe” as a farewell gift to fans.
Music career
Anele ventured into music during the COVID-19 pandemic when the entertainment industry faced shutdowns.
She adopted the stage name “Ney the Bae” (or “Neythebae”) and released her debut single “Ingwe” in 2021. The song, which drew inspiration from her Zulu roots, was well-received by fans.
In 2024, she released several tracks including “Itching” and “110.” She dropped her debut EP titled “VUKA” in May 2024, showcasing her versatility as a rapper and musician. Her song “Whole City” dropped in June 2025 and gained attention on social media.
In 2025, Anele was nominated for Best Styled Artist of the Year at the Basadi in Music Awards, competing against Faith K, Moozlie, and Kamo Mphela.
Reality television
Anele landed her own reality show titled Anele Zondo: The Glow Up, which premiered on SABC1 on April 5, 2025, airing Saturdays at 8:00 PM.
The show follows her glamorous life as a TV presenter, actress, and rising musical star, documenting her journey through motherhood, music, and personal growth. The series offers a candid look behind the scenes of her evolution from musician to businesswoman.
In 2025, she also served as a black carpet host at the Metro FM Music Awards alongside Mpumi Mlambo.
Business ventures
Anele is a businesswoman who launched her own brand called Baesics in 2024. She describes herself as the “FLYEST” and has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s freshest faces in modeling and fashion.
What is Anele Zondo’s net worth?
As of 2026, Anele Zondo’s net worth is estimated at between $250,000 and $300,000. She has built this fortune through her diverse career as a television presenter, actress, musician, and businesswoman.
Her primary income sources include presenting jobs on major television networks, acting roles, music releases, brand endorsements, and her reality show on SABC1.
Her income streams include:
- Television presenting (Massive Music, One Mic, Telkom Monate Vibes)
- Acting roles (The River, Gereza)
- Music sales and performances
- Reality show earnings (The Glow Up)
- Brand partnerships and endorsements
- Business ventures (Baesics brand)
In October 2023, she acquired her first house, marking a win for the young entertainer.
Is Anele Zondo married? Boyfriend and relationship status
Anele Zondo is not married and is currently single as of February 2026. She has been romantically linked to several people over the years.
Dating history
In early 2024, there were rumors linking her to Nkululeko Nciza (commonly known as Ciza), who is the son of music producer TK Nciza.
Reports surfaced that Ciza was the father of her daughter, with speculation that Anele was 31 years old and Ciza was around 22-23 years old when they were allegedly together.
Anele repeatedly denied these claims during her appearance on the L-Tido Podcast in July 2025.
Other reports suggested that Junior Da Rocka might be the father of her child, although Anele has not publicly confirmed the identity of her daughter’s father.
Current relationship (2026)
In early February 2026, Anele was spotted in Dubai with Zimbabwean businessman Tazvi Mhaka. The couple’s photos went viral on social media, with sources describing their relationship as blossoming.
Tazvi Mhaka is a well-known businessman from Zimbabwe. The couple appeared to be enjoying luxury travel together in the United Arab Emirates.
Does Anele Zondo have children?
Yes, Anele Zondo has one daughter named Moä. She announced her pregnancy in May 2024 with a fashionable maternity photoshoot and gave birth to Moä in July 2024.
In May 2025, Anele celebrated Moä’s first birthday with a lavish Barbie-themed party. She publicly introduced her daughter for the first time on her birthday, sharing adorable photos on social media.
She described Moä as her “princess” and shared that becoming a mother was meant to be. The birthday celebration included stunning décor and was featured on her reality show The Glow Up.
Anele has been open about navigating single parenthood and shared during her reality show that the experience has been both challenging and rewarding.
Social media presence
As of February 2026, Anele Zondo has over 1.1 million followers on Instagram, where she shares fashion content, behind-the-scenes glimpses of her work, and updates about her music and daughter.
She actively engages with fans and uses her platform for brand partnerships and promoting her music.
She is also active on TikTok under the handle @anele_zondo, where her videos regularly go viral. Her content includes music promotion, fashion showcases, and personal life updates. On Twitter (X), she maintains a presence at @AneleZondo.
Her social media content focuses on lifestyle, fashion, music promotion, and motherhood. She speaks English, Sesotho, and Setswana fluently, which allows her to connect with diverse audiences across South Africa.
Fast facts about Anele Zondo
- She is the youngest of four daughters, with her older sister Nono Masinga also appearing on her reality show.
- She started recording herself presenting at age 16 on her laptop at home.
- Her parents both work in education—her father is a principal and her mother is a teacher.
- She obtained her Media Studies diploma from Boston Media House in Johannesburg, where she enrolled in 2013.
- Her stage name “Neythebae” has become iconic among her fans and followers.
- She worked as a receptionist and for her sister’s food business (Mozondo Food Services) before her entertainment career took off.
- She made it into the top 10 MTV VJ searches during her early career.
- Her favorite reading material includes books, and she credits hand-me-downs from her sisters for sparking her passion for fashion.
- She acquired her first house in October 2023 at age 29.
- She has been open about undergoing cosmetic surgery, including a BBL and vaginal reconstruction, emphasizing body autonomy and confidence.
Read more: Felix Hlophe: Biography, age, wife, children, net worth, comedy career
Wrapping up
Anele Zondo is a multi-talented South African entertainer who has successfully built a career spanning television presenting, acting, music, and business.
From her humble beginnings in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, to becoming one of Mzansi’s most recognizable faces, she continues to inspire young South Africans.
As of 2026, she balances motherhood with her thriving career, starring in her own reality show while expanding her music catalog and business ventures.
With an estimated net worth of $250,000 to $300,000 and over 1.1 million Instagram followers, Anele Zondo remains one of South Africa’s most dynamic rising stars.
References
- Briefly. “Who is Anele Zondo? Age, husband, siblings, career, net worth, profiles”.
- Legends. “Anele Zondo – Legends”.
- Anele Zondo Official. “Anele Zondo”.
- SABC1. “Anele Zondo: The Glow Up”.
- News24. “Rising star Anele Zondo on her journey to becoming ‘I was born to be a star’”.
- KAYA 959. “Anele Zondo celebrates daughter Moä’s 1st birthday”.
- The Herald. “‘I knew it was meant to be’ — Anele Zondo on becoming a mother”.
- Times Live. “LISTEN | Anele Zondo debuts her rap career, here are four other presenters who turned to hip-hop”.
Disclaimer: The information on Star Vistiq is collected from trusted public sources. We strive for accuracy but cannot guarantee completeness of celebrity profiles, net worth estimates, or biographical data. Readers should verify information independently. For corrections or inquiries, contact: info@starvistiq.com.
