Power House

Influential media maven UNATHIMSENGANA, 38, is a personality like no other. She’s not only a consummate presenter for the biggest commercial radio station and an award-winning singer, but also co-owns amulti-million rand business.

- Dudu Mvimbi Leshabane

Fierce, passionate and enigmatic, Unathi Msengana, much like other famous women born under her star sign, Scorpio, is a mega media boss to be reckoned with. Part of the remarkable Scorpio squad is Black-ish actress Tracee Ellis Ross who recently won a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Comedy or Musical Television Series, making her the first black woman to do so since 1983. The legendary Whoopi Goldberg is also part of the clique, with more than 30 successful years in film; the actress was the first woman to host the prestigious Academy Awards in 1994 and owns countless awards herself. And who can forget our very own music legend, the iconic multi award-winning and top-selling artist Brenda Fassie? She too was a Scorpio. Similarly, Unathi is also a force in her right. She’s a radio personality, Idols SA judge, award winning musician and more recently a television producer, creative director and businesswoman.

It’s10am and it’s scorching hot in Joburg when I meet the effervescent media personality at Lucky Bean studios. She’s refreshed and vibrant for someone who woke up at 3:30 am to prepare for the 5 am-8 am show she co hosts with radio maestro Glen Lewis on Metro FM. It’s been 10 years since the radio duo started this great working relationship, first hosting the drive time show and now they wake up South Africa on First Avenue.