“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” For Chanel van Zyl, these words are a gentle reminder to rise each time life throws her a curveball. Her journey is one of resilience, purpose, and heart – always rooted in remembering why she started and what keeps her going.
Speaking about learning she was the Cover Search 2025 winner, made possible by Kryolan, Chanel’s face lights up as she recalls the moment. “I literally started crying! It was such an overwhelming surprise,” she says with a laugh. “The first thought that came to my mind was a quote my mom once sent me while I was living in Dubai as an Emirates air hostess: ‘She believed she could, so she DID.’ That quote has been my guiding motto for years, and hearing this incredible news made me feel like all the hard work I’ve put into building my career was truly paying off.”
Born in Kimberley and raised in Bloemfontein, Chanel proudly calls herself a true Bloemfontein Rose. “I’ve been a proud Bloemfonteiner for most of my life,” she says. “While I have an incredible love for travel from my days as an air hostess, there’s simply no place like the Free State. It’s where my family is, it’s where my business foundation is, and it’s where my heart is.”
Chanel’s professional journey has been nothing short of a whirlwind. She was chosen from thousands to join Emirates as an air hostess – a role that took her around the world – before returning home for love and building a thriving career in real estate, she’s always followed her heart. For the past three years, she’s been part of the dynamic team at Seeff Properties, managing rentals and property sales with passion.
In January 2025, Chanel added another title to her name, founder of Love the Look, her online jewellery brand born from a love of creativity and connection. Whether she’s helping a family find their dream home or helping someone choose the perfect piece to celebrate life’s milestones, Chanel says her greatest joy comes from “working with people and being part of their special moments.”
Family is, without a doubt, the heartbeat of Chanel’s world. “My family is my everything,” she shares warmly. “My mom is my ultimate bestie – my daily inspiration and advice source. Then there’s my amazing husband, whom I met 13 years ago; he’s my biggest life coach, my best friend, and he supports every wild business idea I have, all while being the best father to our children. Our two beautiful children, Wian (6) and Ninke (3), are my pride and joy. I often say, ‘I gave them life, but they honestly gave me mine’. And of course, my little sister who always has my back – a constant source of support – and my brother, who inspires me daily with his drive and success. They are the core of who I am.”
When it comes to balancing family life, work, and her personal passions, Chanel’s approach is refreshingly grounded. “The key is less about ‘balance’ and more about total commitment to the present moment,” she explains. “As a natural extrovert and big multitasker, I just try my absolute best to be the best mom, wife, friend, and daughter I can be in each moment. When I’m working, I’m all in; when I’m home, the phone is down. I’ve learned that prioritising quality over quantity is the only way to manage two busy careers and a full household.”
One of her most cherished rituals is cooking dinner for her family each evening. “It’s my time off my phone, just talking to my husband and listening to my children’s stories. That hour of presence resets me completely,” she says.
Her children are her greatest inspiration. “Everything I do, from navigating a property sale to building my jewellery brand, is about showing them the power of creating your own path,” she says. “They are my why, the reason I work hard to build a life filled with purpose, faith, and passion.”
Her message to other women chasing their dreams is one of courage and conviction. “Own your path with persistence. Don’t be afraid to embrace your many passions, they’re what make you unique. We were born to build, to nurture, to create. Be bold enough to design the life you want.”
TEXT: SAZLY MOSES
PHOTOS: CLEMENT MATROOS
