Andy Maqondwana carries a kind of brilliance that is hard to ignore. The multi-talented and award-winning broadcaster lovingly shares her gifts not only to entertain, but to make people feel seen, heard and understood.

Growing up in the Eastern Cape, the importance of hard work and discipline was instilled in her from an early age.

“My dad is a big formidable structure in my life. He really taught me about who I am and he was so invested in my siblings and I. He developed our characters and I think that’s where we get our discipline and hard work from,” she shared.

Looking back at her upbringing, she shared fond memories of selling cabbage and mealies harvested from their farm during school holidays.

“When it comes to working, we worked. It was the greatest childhood because it didn’t feel like work but the lesson drove home that when all else fails, you have the gifts and skills to make it in this life.”

It is this same hard work and discipline that she has naturally pours into every aspect of her life even today.

A love affair with the theatre of the mind
Growing up, Maqondwana has always loved and enjoyed radio, “My dad bought us a wireless radio. We used to listen to it a lot and I just used to love the medium so much. I always used to tell myself that if the opportunity for radio ever presented itself, I would absolutely take it.”

As fate would have it, the opportunity presented itself in her first year in university.

“My sister, who was already a student at the university in Stellenbosch, was showing me around. At that point, I had enrolled to do a BSc with Psychology. She showed me the radio station there and it so happened that they had application forms, I filled one in,” she shared.

After training, Maqondwana began hosting a radio show on weekends as a creative outlet. Since her days on campus radio, Maqondwana’s broadcasting gift has grown and she has graced a number of commercial radio platforms. Currently, she is the host of a feel good midday show on Kaya FM.

“Radio is something that I’ve had to figure out every single day. It’s a science in and of itself. I feel like radio chose me first, and I only chose it years later when I decided that I actually want to do this thing for real, for real.”

A big heart for the people
Over the years, the broadcaster has had to introspect regarding her stamp in radio and the impact she would like to have.

“I’m a quintessential middle-child with ‘middle-child syndrome’. You feeling like you are the missing middle and that you’re not good enough. And I think whether you are a middle child or not, there is that aspect in all of us that wants to be seen and heard.”

As such, Maqondwana hopes that those who consume her work feel seen, heard and understood in one way or another.

“I think that’s been the radio that I have created because I want to hear somebody. I want to feel that I’ve created space for somebody.”

A authentic career that is proof of her work ethic

Maqondwana’s career is nothing short of inspirational and her work ethic speaks for her. Looking back on her journey, the award-winning broadcaster shared that her career highlight was the exciting opportunity to host Never Late | African Time, the first African podcast by
Netflix.

“It was just the greatest opportunity which showed me it wasn’t all for nothing. It was proof that there’s so much bigger out there. I don’t have to follow the traditional route of what other broadcasters do. I will never ever forget that experience because it was life-changing and so affirming as well.”

In navigating her multiple gifts which include broadcasting, television and singing, Maqondwana always comes back to the beauty and importance of authenticity.

“I was always affirmed as a child in terms of my gifts and what I have to offer. There is no part of me that’s a flaw. The secret formula will always be me. So with everything that I do, I bring every part of me – the insecurity, the confidence, the shyness, all of that. I bring it all because that’s what human connection is about.”

Reality television, relaxation and a real sweat
When she is not on the airwaves, Maqondwana can be found relaxing in her home and enjoying some good reality television.

“Ask me about any reality television and I will give you a thesis and a half. I studied Psychology and reality TV is literally Psychology at work. It’s a beautiful format if people do it right.”

Currently, she is binging on a number of shows including Love Is Blind, The Real Housewives of Durban and Widows Unveiled.

“We’re getting to a point where we’re wanting stories that are real. This is why I love Widows Unveiled because it is so real and sensitive in how they’re approaching it. It’s just a beautiful reality show,” she expressed.

Also a fitness ambassador, she can be found working up a sweat at the gym when she is not at work.

“One thing Sweat 1000 has taught me is that even when it hurts, even when it burns, you still have more in you. It builds an inner fire like no other. You can be plus-size and fit. That thing exists”.

Over a decade of profound lessons
With more than a decade in the industry, some of the biggest lessons she has learnt include the importance of listening and the freedom to be imperfect.

“As a middle child, I made it my mission to be perfect. Radio has allowed me to be imperfect and to know that there is beauty in imperfection. Life is imperfect and it is messy. But you know what it does? It makes for great radio content and a great connection between you and your listeners,” she said.

Undoubtedly, the theatre of the mind has found a home in her heart. In 2020 when she sadly lost her father through Covid, radio played a crucial part in her healing as she was able to connect with listeners on a deeper level.

“We could all be in a space where we could share what we were going through. People would also DM me and tell me of their loss. We would have that connection where we could all grieve in peace and in safety.”

Although she serves to educate, entertain and inform listeners behind the mic, radio has also been a source of information for her as a host too.

“There is so much you learn from other people and their experiences, mistakes and gains. It really is a beautiful space to be in.”

Ultimately, the multi-talented broadcaster hopes that those who observe her journey find hope, freedom and the understanding that slow and steady is a winning formula.

“There is no one way to do something. Whichever way God has paved for you, do it. My journey is really about slow and steady. I’m a slow burn and I’m doing it so that I have longevity in the entertainment business overall. I hope that people will see in me that taking the long way around will always be the best way. Short cuts will only give your short-term success.”