Top TV business show host and author Nzinga Qunta extends her tentacles to radio as she joins HOT 102.7FM
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
She is definitely going places and this time she has landed herself a business slot on a commercial radio station.
And for those that have followed her career both on TV and radio for the past 15 years, well, this news may not have come as a surprise. This has been long coming, they would argue.
Focussed and unapologetically Pan African in her philosophy, this is what I got when I met Nzinga Qunta a few months ago at 44 Stanley, in Johannesburg. Perhaps this would not surprise those that know about her upbringing. Born of a prominent struggle family that went into exile during the struggle years, prominent lawyer and books publisher Christine Qunta and the late well known journalist Vuyisile Qunta, Nzinga was raised in a number of countries, including Botswana, Zimbabwe and Australia.
I was interviewing her following the release of a children’s book Amari’s Adventures her debut in literature. Written in English originally, Amari’s Adventures is also translated into 11 South African languages, including the Nama language. During that interview conducted earlier this year, Qunta spoke about how she straddles the demanding world of showbiz, raising her daughter, and still remarkably find time to write books. She is also increasingly becoming popular as programmes director of big events attended by dignitaries. She has this year hosted big events attended by world leaders in major capitals of the world, and yet somehow she remains grounded, humble. She really has brand equity judging by the number if events that she is requested to host as MC, and she does it well. Now the latest news is that Qunta is extending her brand into radio.
HOT 102.7FM has bolstered its on-air team with the appointment of Nzinga Qunta as the station’s new business nnchor and host of HOT Business.
Qunta has been in broadcasting for 15 years, including stints at TV station ANN7 and talk radio station Power 98.7, whilst more recently she anchored the SABC TV News flagship business news show, OnPoint.
“I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to attract a business anchor of the quality of Nzinga to HOT 102.7FM,” says Lloyd Madurai, Managing Director of HOT 102.7FM. “As a music station playing the best ‘Old Skool’ and R&B, the music remains our priority, but it’s equally important that we produce news, business and sports content of an incredibly high standard, ensuring our listeners remain with us and never need to change the dial! Appointments such as Nzinga’s support.”
Qunta is also an experienced and in-demand event host and moderator with a focus on business, entrepreneurship and innovation, and has enjoyed a 2022 that has included a number of highlights – most notably, the opportunity to facilitate discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“I just love the HOT 102.7FM approach to news, sport and business, which is unique, fresh and complements the station’s style,” says Qunta. “I can’t wait to put my own stamp on HOT Business and bring the HOT 102.7FM listeners a different take on a business radio show.”
Away from the business desk, Qunta has a keen interest in promoting numeracy and literacy through promoting at schools Amari’s Adventures, which is free to learners at primary schools.
HOT Business is broadcast on HOT 102.7FM between 18h00and 19h00,Monday toThursday, and listeners can look forward to the latest on the markets, the big business moves, and a range of interesting topics, including Qunta’s ‘Hot Topic’, covering everything from personal finance to cryptocurrency, trading and property, along with interviews with some of the biggest names in South African business.