From teen TV presenter to stardom: Nandi Madida reflects on her journey

Singer and media personality Nandi Madida recently gave fans a glimpse into the early days of her career, sharing a throwback video from when she was just 15 years old. 

Known for songs such as “Good Times” and “Say U Will”, the singer took to X to share footage of her young self hosting “Bling Tube”, a pre-teen entertainment show that aired on SABC2 in 2003 and focused on music and movies.

The clip prompted her to reflect on the journey she has been on since her teenage years. 

In her caption, she noted how people often speak of “overnight success”, but for her, the journey began more than two decades ago as a young girl from Durban who already had clear ambitions.

“I began my journey on a children’s TV show at just 15 years old, still in high school but already certain that if I stayed the course, those dreams would one day become a reality,” she shared.

The actress recalled how she was often targeted at school for being on television and for being an overachiever. She said the experience of being bullied did not discourage her but rather prepared her for the realities of the world.

“I remember thinking: ‘Unhappy people often try to make others unhappy’; that truth helped me move through life with so much more grace,” she said.

Looking back on her 22-year journey, she described how the goals she set as a teenager have come to life. She encouraged young people to understand that success is not handed over, but earned through consistency and effort.

“Nothing is handed to you. Every dream worth chasing requires discipline, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in the vision placed in your heart,” she wrote.

She ended her post by reminding her followers that if there is something they truly want, they have to be willing to work for it. “You are capable. And it is possible.”