I must get this off my chest at the onset: I am very partial to high-energy people with a sporting bent.
There, I have confessed my bias, so now you know. I really like Nqobile Khwezi. She ticks my boxes. This woman is one high-octane charmer who you want to have batting for your team — whether commentating authoritatively on SuperSport or on the beach as a contestant in Tropika Island of Treasure, where she has demonstrated ample big-match temperament. My impression is that, to use the common parlance, she brings it — to everything she does.
Lunch, for example, with me. I ventured north my friends to Mabu, an imposing restaurant of the big dreams, big budget, high-roller variety that could easily be in a luxury safari compound with its almost bucolic views, its aesthetic and the food, which is strongly Afro-fusion inspired.
I had ceviche in a marrow bone and loved it, Nqobile the scallops. It’s the kind of place that holds all the promise of a glossy new Joburg as it compounds itself ever northwards — long may it last in the new era of Trumpistan.
Nqobile arrives in a glamorous froth of Insta-ready loveliness. This is why brands as diverse as Dior and Brutal Fruit want some of the action. The Durban -born and -raised beauty, who has been modelling since the age of four and was crowned Miss Junior Shaka at 15 and Miss uShaka Marine World in 2016, has a real flair for marketing and presenting which became apparent while she was studying at Vega School.
“It’s been great. I get these crazy opportunities. I interviewed the likes of Kelly Rowland, which is iconic. And then I get a phone call from SuperSport. And SuperSport wants to tap into my demographic in terms of my following. They want girls to know more about sports. They wanted the place where lifestyle meets sports, which was really cool. And I was like, I want to be a part of that narrative, because it’s something that I grew up being a part of.
They want girls to know more about sports. They wanted the place where lifestyle meets sports, which was really cool. And I was like, I want to be a part of that narrative
“My dad was heavily into sports. You had to pick a sport in our house. You had to find an extramural you were part of and sports was a big part of our culture. So I was like, I definitely could do this. And if I don’t know a sport, I’ll go and research it.
“I came in for an audition ... and they’re like, would you be keen to do it? I said, yes, I’d love to do it. And then a few weeks later, we had the DStv Delicious [food and music festival], and worked with Brian Habana. He’s, like, iconic. What are the odds I’m presenting with him? He’s right next to me, and he’s such a cool, nice person. My dad was so impressed. When I came home I was a big hit.”
What was it like to find herself in such a traditionally male environment? She is diplomatic. “It’s not to say that there aren’t people who support the female presenters. But there’s also a lot of people who question you because you look a specific way, you are dressed up, your makeup is done, your hair is done. I want to style myself.
“And then, I ask questions. And if you don’t know something to the T they feel like, ‘Oh, wow, you should know that.’ And for me, I always have the rookie approach. I might know the stats and facts, but you’re gonna have a different perspective. We can watch the exact same game. You’re gonna pick up different things. I’m gonna pick up different things, which is the beauty of the game.
“I have learnt a lot, but I also think I have earned my stripes and now after working on so many projects, it makes a little more sense to some people and the questions like ‘Is she really doing this?’ and ‘Is she serious about this?’ have been answered.”
I suspect she brings the same pragmatic, can-do, always-prepared approach to all her projects from the #Summer of Cricket campaign to reality TV. She describes her time on Tropika Island of Treasure so positively.
“We went to Zanzibar. That was fun. That was crazy. It was the first time in Africa outside of South Africa. I really enjoyed that experience, new places, getting to experience Africa, but also with people I think are really cool. The production was incredible. Everybody treated everybody with so much love and care even though we were in a competition.”
I wonder what she credits her success to — is it luck or hard work? “I think I’ll attribute it to God’s favour. I'm a strong believer in God.
“It’s always work ethic for me. I will do what needs to be done, and I’ll pay my dues. I’ll do the stuff that’s not fun to get where I need to get, to get the experience and understanding, to build the credibility. I don’t mind doing the groundwork. So I always say, ‘God will meet you where you also meet him,’ which means doing the part, doing my part. When it comes to purpose, when you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing, God takes care of the rest.”
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