Jozi FM presenter Penny Ntuli has shared her frightening experience of being trapped on the N3 during a snowstorm over the weekend.
Ntuli, who hosts the Mid-Morning Chat show, was heading to KwaZulu-Natal for a funeral when heavy snowfall brought traffic to a standstill.
Speaking to Jozi FM, Ntuli recounted how she initially felt excited by the snowfall, even taking pictures. However, as conditions worsened and the snow piled up to the height of her car door, fear quickly set in.
"It was not by our own wisdom to survive this but it was by God's grace, the snow was literally as high as my vehicle's door level. I did not think we're going to make it," she said.
Tragically, two people reportedly died from hypothermia during the storm, “I’m so hurt. People lost their lives, some on their way to bury their loved ones,” she said.
Ntuli expressed her gratitude to Jozi FM colleagues Dr Mpho Mhlongo and Tshepo Makgopa, who kept in touch with her throughout the ordeal.
Ntuli, who suffered from mild hypothermia, has decided to take a short break from work to recover but reassured listeners that she would be back soon, saying, “I will be back at work very soon”.
Jozi FM’s Facebook page has been flooded with messages wishing her a speedy recovery.
Facebook user @Pumla Ngesi commented, “There are angels in human form, and God found one in Penny Ntuli. The way I cried to God when I learned about her own predicament after helping others. I told God that as a nation, we cannot afford another death of a celebrity.
“I continued to check updates on her and this one settles my peace. Now I know why God instructs us to pray and intercede for others in the Bible. May you recover fully and wholly daughter of the Most High, your best days are yet to come. Receive my love all the way from the Eastern Cape.”
Another Facebook user @Bee Jansen, added, “You were there for a reason ...You couldn't bury your own but ended saving others. You became the voice of the voiceless. You kept us updated..we relied on your updates to a point where we were shaken when you didn't respond. Thank you Mphemba.”
Ntuli has also been nominated for the SATMA Awards as Best Traditional Social Media Influencer.
IOL