Unathi Nkayi

Unathi Nkayi: A Star Voice in Music and Media

Unathi Fundiswa Msengana, known professionally as Unathi Nkayi, is a powerhouse in South African entertainment — a singer, broadcaster and television personality whose influence spans music, radio and screen.

Born on 6 November 1978 in Grahamstown (Makhanda), Unathi is as academically grounded as she is artistically gifted. She holds degrees in Journalism and Drama from Rhodes University and International Media Studies from the University of Utrecht. After relocating to Johannesburg in 2001, she quickly rose through the ranks, first on YFM and then as a TV host on the iconic youth music show Castle Loud. Her national profile grew further when she co-hosted Popstars in 2004, earning Most Promising Woman in Media at the MTN Media Awards the following year.

Unathi stepped fully into music with her debut album In Honour (2008), which won Best Female Vocalist at the Metro FM Music Awards. In 2011, she became a household name as a judge on Idols South Africa, cementing her place in pop culture. Her second album, Brave, True and Strong (2017), was a commercial hit, selling out within a week and inspiring a nationwide tour.

Beyond music, Unathi has continued to shine on radio and television — from voicing Rita the Cheetah on Disney Junior’s Doc McStuffins to hosting major lifestyle and awards shows, including the GQ Best Dressed and GQ Men of the Year awards. In 2024, she returned as host of the Basadi in Music Awards, celebrating women at the forefront of the industry.

Bold, articulate and endlessly versatile, Unathi Nkayi remains one of South Africa’s most recognisable and respected voices in entertainment.