“How I Got the Nyan’Nyan TV Show,” Luyanda Potwana

“How I Got the Nyan’Nyan TV Show,” Luyanda Potwana. He is one of the most seasoned TV presenters to ever come out of this country. Luyanda Potwana acclaimed to fame when he hosted SABC1’s most popular and contentious show, Nyan Nyan.

In 2021, Potwana announced on social media that he would be traveling to London to attend the University of London to complete his Bachelor of Science in Psychology studies. He is now living the dream in the United States of America. Despite being abroad, Potwana is still connected to South Africa, and often uses his social media to inspire his countrymen.

This time around, Potwana shared how he got his Nyan’ Nyan presenting gig. The gig came around after he did odd jobs in the industry for 7 year. It was his big break, and he did not disappoint. Potwana takes us from the first day he received the call, his auditions, to finally getting the job.

“It is after 4pm, on the 3rd of December in 2012. It is hot, I am bored and tired. I am with Peter Guimarae. We are walking from Ellis Park to Bertrams — from a Tempi Pushas shoot. I was an extra there as a cameraman, in Akhumzi Jezile and Sdumo Mtshali’s scenes.“

“Glenda — the coordinator of my agency, Zero to Hero (instructed by the owner Michael Ndlovu) calls me. I look at my screen and see that it’s the agency. I’m not in the mood for another shoot booking. It is the 3rd of December, and my mind is already at home (Eastern Cape) for December holidays. And I’m booking a bus the following day. So I choose to ignore Glenda’s call.”

“Little did I know that the phone call I was about to ignore — would go down in history as the most important phone call of my life.“

“Little did I know that, from that day, my life would never be the same again…”

“Peter encourages me to take the call. On its last ring, I press the YES button. Strangely, Glenda’s call is short. She’s not booking me for any shoot — as an extra. She asks me to please go and check my emails.”

“I promise Glenda that I will (but I know that I’m lying). I won’t. My mind is already at home in the Eastern Cape. I’m booking a bus tomorrow — so I don’t care about any work emails.”

“Strangely, again – Peter encourages me to go pass the Internet café and check the email. I succumb to Peter’s nagging.”

“At the Internet cafe, we decide to print the email. It’s a script brief.“

“Again, it is the 3rd of December. Why on earth would Glenda be sending me script briefs? I ask myself. At home, Peter goes through the brief and I’m not interested, so I don’t even read it.”

“After reading, Peter suggests that I take a look. Visibly irritated by Peter, I rudely take the paper from his hand, to see what the big fuss is.”

“SABC 1 is introducing a new show called Nyan’Nyan. They want a Xhosa or a Zulu host. The host must be able to think on his/her feet, because the show has no scripts and it is a reality show.”

“Again, the same irritating Peter encourages me to go to the auditions. At this point, I decide to finally tell Peter to ‘voetsek‘.”

“But Peter ignores my insult and manages to convince me when he tells me that, on this brief, he sees me all over it. He knows me very well – we’ve been friends for 8 years. He says I can nail this new TV show.“

“I decide to read the brief again. My interest is aroused gradually.”

“I decide to go. The address of the audition venue is not a problem. I know JHB like the back of my hand — I’m a walking GPS. After all, I was on the streets for a long time in JHB. It’s in Newtown.”

“I decide not to buy my bus ticket and instead, go to this audition.”

“Aviwe Media is the company that is going to be producing this show. A tall guy with a smile, by the name of Malusi Ngcebetsha introduces himself to me. He’s going to be leading the audition — at the direction of the producer – Mpho Moagi Vilana.”

“Crew members are busy inside the studio — and by the look of things, SABC 1 is introducing something big. If the big fuss everyone is making and the number of big celebrities that came to audition, are anything to go by, this show is going to be huge.”

“It’s showtime — I do my first take. They ask me to do a second one.“

“I decide to be creative and use Xhosa idioms like ‘uzakuphum’ uhili ezingcongolweni’… ‘Inyani izakuvela okwekati emhlophe ehlungwini’…“

“They all laugh. They are very impressed!“

“Malusi tells me that they will call me.“

“I eventually do FOUR different auditions for Nyan’Nyan...”

“And the news that Zero to Hero Casting Agency, Aviwe Media and SABC 1 would deliver, after two weeks, would change my life forever!”

“Because in January 2013 — South Africa would welcome a new TV host, of a new TV show. And the show would become one of the biggest shows and one of the most talked about reality shows on SA Television. And more doors would open…“

“The dream of seven years was fulfilled!“

“From being alone on the streets. Sometimes going without food for days. Hustling without fail, everyday. Praying in toilets. Begging. I finally did it.”

“I hustled until something happened!”

“Glory to the Most High God. Akakhethi makhaya ngokuphucuka kwawo.”

“It’s now 2025, I am living in the United States of America — and I don’t know what the future has for me. But I know the story of my life is not over yet. It’s still being written, and God is the Author!“

“I hope my REFLECTIONS have inspired you. Now go and make history!“

“Shout out to all the HUSTLERS!“

“H • U • S • H — Hustle Until Something Happens.”

“NEVER. SAY. NEVER.“

“May the God of the Bible bless you all,” Potwana shared on his Facebook.