Page 23 - KZN Top Business Woman 2025 - eBook

Minenhle Dlamini

Managing Director of Gagasi FM MD, has inspired me,” she said. “I would attend meetings Working in media comes with its own set of trials.
with him and find myself inspired by his knowledge about Minenhle acknowledges that the public scrutiny can be
radio and consumer insights.” She also credits Gagasi tough. “Social media can sometimes be quite hurtful, and
inenhle Dlamini, managing director Heart Media Group’s current chairman for motivating her cancel culture is quite big,” she said. She also reflected on
M of Gagasi FM, leads one of KwaZulu- with his story of resilience. the difficulties of serving communities during crises such
Natal’s most vibrant regional com-
as floods and riots and how seeing the community being
mercial radio stations. Her journey to the top of the At Gagasi FM, Minenhle’s leadership philosophy centres
misplaced can be heartbreaking.
commercial broadcasting world has been one of on inclusivity and connection. “It’s ensuring that the
persistence, reinvention, and a deep love for media. members of Gagasi can be themselves, can be creative, On a personal level, she has had to confront rejection and
and at the same time feel that they are part of the family self-doubt. “Even getting into radio, I had a couple of doors
“My journey to being an MD started in 2009,” she recalled. and part of the greater community that we serve.” This shut in my face,” she admitted. “Sometimes feeling unseen
“I started as a radio presenter, presenting on weekends. culture is felt from the moment anyone enters the is a challenge, and you have to get out of your comfort
Monday to Friday I’d have a nine-to-five, then Saturday building. That sense of warmth and unity also extends to zone and map out a way for your brand to be seen.”
and Sunday I would be on air.” That early commitment listeners and the wider KwaZulu-Natal community.
laid the foundation for what would become a steady rise GUIDING THE NEXT GENERATION
through the ranks. MAKING AN IMPACT Her advice to aspiring women in media is rooted in

A year later, she moved into content production, joining Under her direction, Gagasi FM has launched a series of integrity and resilience. “Do everything with integrity,
the breakfast show team. By 2011, she had transitioned campaigns that have had a tangible social impact. The whether people are watching or not,” she said. “Work
into the commercial and promotions department. Her station has surpassed one million followers on Facebook ethic is quite important. If you say you’re going to do
creativity and strategic thinking led to her appointment and continues to engage audiences with initiatives something, do it.” She also emphasises the importance
as head of the department, a position that showcased rooted in compassion and empowerment. of collaboration and humility. “Ask for help. Position
her leadership potential. yourself with people who know certain skills that you
One such campaign, close to Minenhle’s heart, takes might not have. Have people you can use as your
In 2021, Minenhle’s path took another major step forward. place on Mother’s Day. “We go into government hospitals sounding board.”
“The MD before me went off to Johannesburg to start delivering care packs to mothers who have just given
a sales house for Gagasi and our sister station, Heart birth,” she said. Another is a back-to-school drive that Minenhle’s vision for Gagasi FM extends far beyond radio.
FM,” she said. “I stood in for him, and in July 2021, I was supports both pupils and tertiary students in need of “My future goal is to grow Gagasi to be more than just a
announced as the managing director of Gagasi FM.” financial assistance. radio station,” she said. “I see it as a business that offers
more than radio, from a digital and content perspective,
The Shero Awards, held annually on Women’s Day, cele-
PASSION FOR MEDIA and as a training academy for the media dreamers of KZN.”
brate unsung heroines across business, science and
Minenhle’s love for communication began during technology, education, and community work. “Ours is to Balancing work, motherhood, and personal growth is
her university years. “I’ve always loved media. Even in let them know that people are seeing you, they nominated something she takes seriously. “I go to the gym and make
university, I did a BA in media studies. I wanted to be a you, and they like the work that you are doing.” sure that every day I do something that I like,” Minenhle
magazine writer,” she said. “However, when I found out shared. As a mother of three, she has built a support
Minenhle has also introduced youth-focused business
about campus radio, I started volunteering there, and network and learned the value of shared responsibility.
that’s where my love for radio started.” workshops that support young entrepreneurs navigating “I’ve realised just how much it takes a village to raise kids.”
the challenges of self-employment. “We know that the
As a schoolgirl, she dreamt of a life of exploration and entrepreneurship journey can be quite lonely,” she said. “It’s Grounded by faith and reflection, she finds time to
creativity. “I always saw myself as someone who would just all about motivating them to keep on with their hustles.” meditate and read business books. “I diarise everything,”
travel the world,” she reflected. That curiosity would later she added. “Even church services, so that I can find time
Another major highlight is the station’s annual music
define her career path, guiding her through shifts in interest during the week to attend mass and ground myself.”
from acting and news reporting to media leadership. festival, which shines a spotlight on South African talent.
“We fill up 12,000 people at Moses Mabhida People’s Park, For Minenhle, leadership is not only about success on
Throughout her career, Minenhle has drawn inspiration and we sell out a month before the actual event,” she paper but about connection, compassion, and creating
from those around her. “My predecessor, the previous shared proudly. “That’s a huge achievement for us.” spaces where others can shine.

− 23 −