Johannesburg - Anele Mdoda is the radio host on 94.7 Drive with Anele and a judge on Mzansi Magic’s popular Clash Of The Choirs TV competition.
First holiday memory?
In Durban, at the beachfront near the Marine Parade. Yeah, at the little pool there, some teenage boys were messing with my sister and my mom literally jumped into that little pool and f****d five of those boys up. How are you going to play-play drown an eight-year-old girl when you guys are such big boys? She was wearing a brown dress with white polka dots so you can imagine what that looks like when it’s wet. It’s vividly in my memory.
Favourite place in South Africa?
Port St Johns. It’s flippen cheap! You know how many international people are there? They know about it and South Africans don’t. It’s so cheap to go to Port St Johns. The best BnBs and backpackers will cost R300 to R500 a night. The beaches are amazing. The water is warm. The people are lovely. It’s so tropical. It’s stunning!
Best holiday?
My dad took me and my sisters to New York when I was 21. He and my mom would travel overseas and leave us here so it was a big deal because that was the first time we were out of the country. Everyone had spending money so you could shop. My dad is very into the touristy stuff so he wanted to see the Statue of Liberty and we wanted to see Beyoncé. But, luckily, my mom also likes touristy things so they could do that and we could do our thing but it was a nice family holiday. It will always be my favourite because my dad worked hard to take us there and it was amazing. I’ve since taken myself back to New York four times.
What have you learnt from your travels?
I’m still learning. Pack light, Anele! My child saved me. When I had a child, I had to pack lighter because he takes up most of the things so there’s no room for me to pack ‘in-case outfits”.
Ideal travelling companion?
I want a person who is going to be okay with the fact that I’m not going to want to do some things. My favourite thing to do is get to the hotel and just stay in bed for the first day and order room service and watch their strange TV. Just catch up on things that have left me behind because I’ve been so busy. I’m also not keen on people who just hanker for KFC when there is so much delicious street food to try out.
Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?
I’m a bit of everything. If there’s skydiving to be done, I’ll do it. I remember I went to New York and I wanted to see Fuerza Bruta – it’s this entire show where the stage is not in front of you, it’s on top of you. It’s a see-through stage where they swim on stage and do ballet. I’ll also go to the beach but the water must be warm. I’m going there to swim not to tan. And it’s also nice to hire a yacht with your friends.
Greatest travel luxury?
I like to spend money on where I stay. I don’t care where I eat. But I want crisp white sheets all the time. I remember an ex saying we can never travel together because I like luxury and he wants to slum it. I said we can travel together and we can meet up when it’s time to do couple things. I can’t compromise on where I stay.
Holiday reading?
I even read on the plane. Holidays are the one timeI can catch up on my reading and I generally like to read funny books, like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler or Mindy Kaling – all the comedic stuff of real life accounts. I also like fiction but it must be riveting. A bit of John Grisham or Jeffery Archer. I don’t like serious books on holiday.
Which place has seduced you?
It’s a toss-up between Paris, Berlin, Spain and my hometown of Mthatha. Paris because it’s just lovely to walk the streets at any time and it’s always so pretty. I love Berlin because the men are such gentlemen. I went to Spain because a friend lived there so it was nostalgic for him to take me to all the places he used to go to as a kid. My hometown is my heart. Mthatha is a party all the time. People there slaughter, braai meat, party and laugh. You’re guaranteed to do those four things every time you are there.
Worst travel experience?
Thailand! I hated it! Everyone speaks so highly of it so I was expecting great things. My boyfriend and I went to Bangkok for our babymoon. I was pregnant so that’s a disclaimer. I couldn’t eat many things – like seafood or the street food in case you get salmonella which will harm the baby. I had terrible jetlag and there was this constant bad smell I couldn’t shake off. The locals are pushy. You can’t just go and chill.
Best hotel?
I went to the Montreux Jazz Festival a few years ago and stayed at the Le Mirador Kempinksi Hotel which overlooks Lake Geneva. It was simply sensational. Those people know what they’re doing. The food, the bed, the linen, the service, the privacy! There’s literally a cable car – like the one you take to get onto Table Mountain – that takes you into town. That’s the mode of transport! It’s so quiet there that you can hear yourself think.
Favourite walk, swim, ride or drive?
When we were kids, my parents would put a blanket or duvet and some pillows in the back seat of the car on a road trip. It was nice because we’d snuggle up and sleep and then wake up in the Eastern Cape, Durban or in Botswana. Now I’m that person as an adult. My parents probably wanted us to shut up and not fight.
Best meal abroad?
Spain has a big culture of tapas. If you order a drink, you must have a little something to eat. That food is always amazing. I loved the crushed eggs – where you fry potatoes and then crush eggs into that and the way it’s spiced and flavoured is amazing. We went to a Senegalese restaurant in Madrid – can you imagine! In fact, I fell in love with Senegalese food in Spain.
Where next?
My dad is taking us on the final holiday that he pays for – so he says… I believe him this time. I’m 31 so maybe I should get off my dad’s budget. He’s taking us to Europe in May – which is my birthday month – so we’re just going to hop around Europe and do things there.
l Anele Mdoda is the radio host on 94.7 Drive with Anele and a judge on Mzansi Magic’s popular Clash Of The Choirs TV competition. In recent years, she has also tried her hand at stand-up comedy.
On February 26 and 27, she will play host to Bitches Be Back. The second instalment of Bitches, this show will feature the cream of South Africa’s funnywomen.
Tumi Morake, Celeste Ntuli, Thenjiwe Moseley, Nina Hastie, Tracey-Lee Oliver and Noko Moswete will join Mdoda on stage at Joburg’s Carnival City in Brakpan. Tickets are available via Computicket.
Saturday Star