## Nandi Madida expands her empire from Africa Now Radio to natural hair business

Nandi Madida is showing that a career in entertainment does not have to stop at the microphone or television screen.

The South African media personality, singer and entrepreneur is expanding her work across broadcasting and business, with her Africa Now Radio show finding a new home on South African radio while she prepares to launch a natural hair-care venture.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Madida reflected on the different sides of her career and explained why broadcasting remains at the centre of what she does, even as she continues making music and exploring entrepreneurship.

Africa Now Radio expands to YFM

One of the biggest developments is the expansion of Apple Music's Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida.

YFM has announced that the programme will be syndicated on the youth station every Sunday from November 1, bringing the show to another audience in South Africa.

Madida has hosted Africa Now Radio since 2023, using the platform to interview artists and spotlight music from across the continent.

Her guest list has included some of African music's biggest names, including Tyla, Rema, Ayra Starr, BNXN, Nasty C, TxC and Angélique Kidjo.

Madida described the YFM partnership as an important moment, particularly as African music continues to attract international audiences.

“The whole world is listening to African music,” she told TshisaLIVE, adding that African artists no longer have to constantly explain their genres to global listeners.

For Madida, joining forces with YFM also represents a meeting point between traditional radio and the newer world of digital streaming.

Music remains a passion

Although Nandi has built a career that stretches across different areas of entertainment, she makes a clear distinction between music and broadcasting.

The star revealed that she was scouted by Universal when she was young but explained that she has always viewed music primarily as a creative outlet.

“Music is just a passion,” she said.

Television and radio, on the other hand, are what she describes as her main craft.

That distinction helps explain how she manages the different parts of her public career. Rather than treating every venture as the same thing, Madida appears to have a clear idea of where each one fits into her wider brand.

Nandi Madida moves into hair care

The Nandi Madida business story is also entering a new chapter.

Away from broadcasting and music, she is preparing to launch a natural hair-care line, expanding her personal brand into the beauty industry.

Madida told fans to “save your coins” if they love their natural hair, saying the upcoming venture is something she is particularly proud of.

The move is also connected to ideas she has promoted publicly about embracing natural hair and skin.

Rather than simply putting her celebrity name on an unrelated product, the hair-care business therefore appears designed to connect with an image and message already associated with her.

Why celebrity businesses get fans talking

Celebrity business ventures have become an increasingly interesting part of South Africa entertainment because fans now follow more than an entertainer's next song, film or television appearance.

A familiar public figure entering fashion, beauty or another consumer industry gives followers an opportunity to interact with that person's brand in everyday life.

There is also a business advantage. Entertainment careers can change quickly, while successful products and companies can create additional income streams beyond appearances, music releases and broadcasting contracts.

For Madida, the combination is becoming increasingly clear.

Africa Now Radio gives her a platform to amplify African music. Her own music provides a creative outlet. And her natural hair-care venture allows her to build something outside the traditional entertainment industry.

Rather than choosing between media, music and business, Nandi Madida is finding a place for all three, and turning a long entertainment career into a wider personal brand.