
My StORY
Over the Years









2007
The Beginning
2010
Resident Expresso Chef
Zola becomes resident Chef of popular morning Breakfast show, Expresso Morning Show on SABC 3
2016
TV judge
In 2016, Nene joined TV judge Tjaart Walraven, comedian Anne Hirsch, and celebrity chef Lentswe Bhengu as one of the co-presenters of the third season of BBC Worldwide Africa’s The Great South African Bake Off, which premiered in October 2017 on BBC Lifestyle (DStv channel 174).
2017
First cookbook launch
Nene successfully published her first cookbook titled Simply Delicious in May 2017, which won Nene the award for TV (English) Celebrity Chef, and was placed second in the category of Best (English) TV Chef Book at the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards that same year.
2018
Second Cookbook released
Following the success of her first cookbook, Nene published a continuation of her food journey with her second cookbook titled Simply Zola. Raising the bar in 2018, Nene joined wedding planner Zavion Kotze, former Miss South Africa Bernelee Daniell, and socialite Denise Zimba, on the second season of Wedding Bashers. Furthermore, she joined the three presenters for the special instalment of the series titled Wedding Bashers Specials: With Love, in which the presenters took care of all the wedding planning for four special couples tying the knot.
2019
Best in the World award
In 2019, Nene scooped the Best in the World award in the TV category at the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards for her second cookbook titled Simply Zola.
Celeb Feasts with Zola
Staying on course and maintaining a flop proof recipe for success, Nene whipped up hearty meals and shared warm laughs with some of South Africa’s brightest stars across 13 episodes of her own cooking show titled Celeb Feasts with Zola, which aired on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161).
Tastemaster SA Season 1 Judge
2020
Soaring high on a food and cultural adventure, Nene joins British chef, restaurateur and writer, Gordon Ramsay, in the second season of National Geographic’s series, Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted – which is set to air in South Africa in August 2020.
Feb 2021
Guest Appearance on 7de Laan
Sep 2021
Tastemaster SA Season 2 Judge
Feb 2022
Masterchef SA Judge season 4
March 2022
Black Women in Food Culinarian 2022
Sept 2022
3rd Cookbook Published, Simply Seven Colours
Nov 2022
Co-hosted Eat Out Awards
Feb 2023
Winner KFM Mystery Mic Competition
May 2023
Gourmand Cookbook Awards:Â
- Simply Seven Colours 1st Place winner of Celebrity Chef Cookbook in English Category
- Gourmand Winner in the Food TV & Social Media Category
May 2023
Bona Magazine Cover
July 2023
Tastemaster SA season 4 Judge
Dec 2023
Woman of Wonder Award Recipient at Panache Women’s Awards
Dec 2023
AFN100: Most Influential People in the African Food Industry
April 2024
Tastemaster SA season 5 Judge
July 2024
Masterchef SA Judge season 5
Nov 2024
Sharjah Book Fair
Dec 2024
Celebrity Deal or No Deal SA, won over R61k for charity
Dec 2024
Celebrity Masterchef SA Judge