On Her Way To The Top

Pearl Modiadie (29) gets candid about her aspirations of being a businesswoman, and how her hard work and consistency are paying off. 

- Amanda Mtuli

It is a warm afternoon in Joburg, and I’m sitting at my desk waiting for Pearl. At exactly 3pm, my cellphone alerts me to a message from her, letting me know that she is on her way. I’m relieved. It was difficult to find an opening in her schedule – the woman is busy! Before long, she arrives. And so the interview begins.

HARD AT WORK 

The first quarter of the year has been busy for Pearl. She has a new show called Raw Silk, a reality talent competition on SABC 1, that follows 13 fashion designers. Her lifestyle show, Zaziwa, also on SABC 1, is thriving too. In-between, she performs MC jobs, and even presented the Metro FM Music Awards. Tight as her schedule may be, she also managed to go on a holiday to the Indonesian Island of Bali. Meanwhile, I struggle to get through the day without too much coffee and fantasising about travelling! How does she do it? I ask. “I’m actually not as busy as I’d like to be. By now, I should be working on production with my new shows that I’ve pitched to the SABC,” she says. Although still waiting for final confirmation, the shows have been approved. Pearl works normal hours every day where she juggles a number of jobs, including being the associate producer and presenter for Zaziwa. She then goes to her radio show on Metro FM from 12pm–3pm. She is strict in managing her time, and ensures that her jobs do not interfere with her personal life. “I’m trying to get my life together, and brand myself as a businesswoman. So, I actually enjoy the busy hours,” she says.

GROWING UP