Page 3 - KZN Business Sense

LEADING WITH HEART,

VISION AND PURPOSE

inenhle Dlamini, month before the actual event,”
managing director she shared proudly. “That’s a huge
Mof Gagasi FM, leads achievement for us.”
one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most Working in media comes with
vibrant regional commercial its own set of trials. Minenhle
radio stations. Her journey acknowledges that the public
to the top of the commercial scrutiny can be tough. “Social
broadcasting world has been one media can sometimes be quite
of persistence, reinvention, and a hurtful, and cancel culture is quite
deep love for media. big,” she said. She also reflected
“My journey to being an MD on the difficulties of serving
started in 2009,” she recalled. communities during crises such
“I started as a radio presenter, as floods and riots and how seeing
presenting on weekends. Monday the community being misplaced
to Friday I’d have a nine-to- can be heartbreaking.
five, then Saturday and Sunday On a personal level, she has had
I would be on air.” That early to confront rejection and self-
commitment laid the foundation doubt. “Even getting into radio, I
for what would become a steady had a couple of doors shut in my
rise through the ranks. face,” she admitted. “Sometimes
A year later, she moved into feeling unseen is a challenge,
content production, joining the and you have to get out of your
breakfast show team. By 2011, comfort zone and map out a way
she had transitioned into the for your brand to be seen.”
commercial and promotions
department. Her creativity Guiding the Next Generation
and strategic thinking led to Her advice to aspiring women
her appointment as head of in media is rooted in integrity
the department, a position and resilience. “Do everything
that showcased her leadership with integrity, whether people are
potential. watching or not,” she said. “Work
ethic is quite important. If you
In 2021, Minenhle’s path took say you’re going to do something,
another major step forward. do it.” She also emphasises the
“The MD before me went off to importance of collaboration and
Johannesburg to start a sales humility. “Ask for help. Position
house for Gagasi and our sister yourself with people who know
station, Heart FM,” she said. “I certain skills that you might not
stood in for him, and in July 2021, have. Have people you can use as
I was announced as the managing your sounding board.”
director of Gagasi FM.”
Minenhle’s vision for Gagasi FM
Passion for Media extends far beyond radio. “My
Minenhle’s love for future goal is to grow Gagasi to
communication began during be more than just a radio station,”
her university years. “I’ve always she said. “I see it as a business
loved media. Even in university, that offers more than radio, from
I did a BA in media studies. I a digital and content perspective,
wanted to be a magazine writer,” and as a training academy for the
she said. “However, when I found media dreamers of KZN.”
out about campus radio, I started Balancing work, motherhood,
volunteering there, and that’s and personal growth is something
where my love for radio started.” she takes seriously. “I go to the
gym and make sure that every
As a schoolgirl, she dreamt of a Minenhle Dlamini, Managing Director at Gagasi FM day I do something that I like,”
life of exploration and creativity.
“I always saw myself as someone Minenhle shared. As a mother
who would just travel the world,” leadership philosophy centres one million followers on Facebook them know that people are seeing of three, she has built a support
network and learned the value of
she reflected. That curiosity on inclusivity and connection. and continues to engage audiences you, they nominated you, and they shared responsibility. “I’ve realised
would later define her career “It’s ensuring that the members with initiatives rooted in like the work that you are doing.” just how much it takes a village to
path, guiding her through shifts of Gagasi can be themselves, compassion and empowerment. Minenhle has also introduced raise kids.”
in interest from acting and news can be creative, and at the same One such campaign, close to youth-focused business workshops
reporting to media leadership. time feel that they are part of the Minenhle’s heart, takes place that support young entrepreneurs Grounded by faith and reflection,
family and part of the greater she finds time to meditate and
Throughout her career, Minenhle community that we serve.” This on Mother’s Day. “We go into navigating the challenges of self- read business books. “I diarise
has drawn inspiration from those culture is felt from the moment government hospitals delivering employment. “We know that the everything,” she added. “Even
around her. “My predecessor, the anyone enters the building. That care packs to mothers who have just entrepreneurship journey can church services, so that I can find
previous MD, has inspired me,” sense of warmth and unity also given birth,” she said. Another is a be quite lonely,” she said. “It’s all time during the week to attend
she said. “I would attend meetings extends to listeners and the wider back-to-school drive that supports about motivating them to keep on mass and ground myself.”
with him and find myself inspired KwaZulu-Natal community. both pupils and tertiary students in with their hustles.”
by his knowledge about radio and need of financial assistance. Another major highlight is the For Minenhle, leadership is not
consumer insights.” She also credits Making an Impact The Shero Awards, held annually station’s annual music festival, only about success on paper but
Gagasi Heart Media Group’s Under her direction, Gagasi FM on Women’s Day, celebrate unsung which shines a spotlight on about connection, compassion,
current chairman for motivating has launched a series of campaigns heroines across business, science South African talent. “We fill up and creating spaces where others
her with his story of resilience. can shine. 
that have had a tangible social and technology, education, and 12,000 people at Moses Mabhida
At Gagasi FM, Minenhle’s impact. The station has surpassed community work. “Ours is to let People’s Park, and we sell out a W: www.gagasiworld.co.za

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