Where the love for radio started
In 2011, Ayanda enrolled at the University of Pretoria and immediately joined the varsity’s Tuks FM after seeing an ad on the noticeboards. “I was first known as Phindi Mdluli. I did the breakfast drive before joining YFM almost three years later,” she recalls. “I got called to join YFM in July 2013. Ayanda MVP was born when I moved to YFM.”
On the brand
Now, Ayanda has a prime-time slot on 947. Her lunchtime show is not the traditional three hours, but a whopping five hours. Solo. That is impressive! “I started here in May 2016. I was on Saturdays only, and then in July 2017 I did weekdays. My show was extended from 10am till 3pm this January,” says Ayanda.
She’s made a mark and is her authentic self, which is why brands like Delush Wines have chosen to collaborate with her. “I choose my collaborations based on whether they agree with me. If it doesn’t gel with my mind and spirit then I wouldn’t do it.
Playing the game
Ayanda wants to empower other women who want to join the entertainment industry. She does this through intimate sessions she hosts monthly. “I’ve been hosting these sessions at least once a month and it’s great now that Delush has come on board. The sessions include myself and other women who are doing great things in their spaces. We come to teach, share and inspire women who want to be DJs or presenters.
Matters of the heart
Ayanda is still in the dating game, having suffered a few knocks. “I’ve learnt to keep my circles small because I learnt the hard way that not everyone’s for you. Yho! Being a woman in this industry is rough with the dating thing, hey. I’m just seeing people, going on dates, and having fun.”
To read more about Ayanda's radio journey, get a copy of our June issue in stores now!
