Sizwe Dhlomo
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| Sizwe Dhlomo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sizwe Mokhethi Dhlomo June 21, 1983 Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| 💼 Occupation | Radio and TV personality, Businessman |
| 📆 Years active | 2005–present |
| 👔 Employer | Self-employed |
| Known for | Television, radio broadcasting, media commentary, entrepreneurship |
| Notable work | MTV Base, Live, Kaya FM, 702 Drive |
Sizwe Mokhethi Dhlomo (born 21 June 1983) is a South African media personality, radio and television presenter, and entrepreneur.[1] He rose to prominence as the winner of MTV Base's first VJ Search in 2005,[2] becoming the channel's first African video jockey. Dhlomo went on to host various television programs and later transitioned into radio, where he became known for his talk show and drive-time hosting roles. In 2020 he joined Kaya FM as the host of the station's afternoon-drive show.[3][4] Beyond broadcasting, he has launched business ventures and is a vocal commentator on cultural and social issues.[5]
Early life and education
Sizwe Dhlomo was born in Durban on 21 June 1983.[6] He matriculated at Kingsway High School in Amanzimtoti, south of Durban and briefly studied computer programming at the Durban Institute of Technology. At age 21, he abandoned a career as a computer programmer to enter the entertainment industry. In 2005 he entered and won MTV Base's VJ Search contest. His win, at just 21 years old, marked the beginning of his media career.[7]
Career
Television career
After winning the MTV Base VJ Search, Dhlomo became the host of MTV Base's World Chart Express and appeared on the channel's entertainment coverage. He presented special MTV Base programs including coverage of the MTV Europe Music Awards and the pro-social series MTV Base Uncensored.[6] He also interviewed international music stars such as Akon, John Legend, Sean Paul, and others for MTV Base broadcasts.[8] In April 2010, Dhlomo served as a digital host for the 16th South African Music Awards (SAMA) held in Sun City.[9]
In September 2010 Dhlomo moved into mainstream television, joining SABC1's music magazine show LIVE as co-host alongside Bonang Matheba.[10] He remained with LIVE until late 2011. He has also appeared on other South African TV programmes. He was a host on M-Net's Live AMP and a participant in MTV's Tropika Island of Treasure.
Radio career
After leaving LIVE, Dhlomo became a radio broadcaster. He joined the youth-oriented station YFM (Pty Ltd) in 2009 as a presenter, co-hosting a weekday daytime show. He stayed at YFM for several years and was part of the station's lineup changes in 2014. In March 2014 it was announced that Dhlomo (and his co-host Siyabonga “Scoop” Ngwekazi) would be leaving YFM after five years.[3]
Following YFM, Dhlomo moved to Metro FM/947, hosting the afternoon-drive show Bloc Party. In 2016 he joined Talk 702, where he co-hosted the evening program Night Talk with Gugs and Sizwe alongside Gugulethu “Gugs” Mhlungu.[11] His tenure at 702 continued until mid-2020. In June 2020 it was announced that Dhlomo would become the new afternoon-drive presenter on Kaya FM 95.9, beginning in July of that year.[3][12] Kaya FM described him as bringing “knowledge of current affairs, popular culture and business acumen” to its rebranded Kaya Drive show.[13] Dhlomo officially left Kaya FM on May 27, 2026, ending his six-year run at the station.
Entrepreneurial ventures
In addition to media, Dhlomo has pursued business ventures. In 2012 he opened a Capello's Italian-style restaurant in Fourways, Johannesburg.[14] The restaurant launch was attended by several South African celebrities. He later announced a chain called “Sizwe’s Grill”, a restaurant-and-butchery concept. He has described himself as advising young South Africans on financial literacy and cautioned against get-rich-quick scams. For example, warning about dubious forex and crypto “gurus” on his radio platform.[15][16]
Awards and recognition
Dhlomo's broadcasting work has received industry recognition. In 2023, he led Kaya FM's nominees at the South African Radio Awards: his show Kaya Drive was nominated for Best Commercial Afternoon Drive Show.[17] Kaya FM noted that even though he had moved to the breakfast slot, the nomination was for the prior drive-time work. His prior shows on YFM, 947, and 702 earned him additional nominations in their respective categories. He was nominated in the Afternoon Drive Presenter: Commercial category at the 2021 Telkom Radio Awards.[18] While he has not won a national award, he is regarded as one of the country's prominent radio hosts, often ranking among top DJs in listener polls.
Controversies and public debates
Dhlomo is known for being outspoken on social media and radio, and he has been involved in several public disputes. Notably, he has engaged in a long-running feud with entrepreneur Vusi Thembekwayo. The conflict reportedly began around 2017 after Dhlomo commented on the taxi industry and Thembekwayo allegedly claimed credit for those ideas; since then the two have traded barbs on social media.[19] This feud has attracted press coverage and even legal threats.
Dhlomo has also courted controversy through sharp critiques of public figures. For example, in 2020 he defended rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes on Twitter while calling him “an awful business person,” which provoked a heated online debate.[20]
He has frequently called out politicians and businesspeople on-air, sometimes drawing accusations of bullying or hypocrisy. Additionally, Dhlomo made news for announcing an on-air ban on playing music by R. Kelly and local rapper Shebeshxt on his radio show in 2025, citing ethical concerns.[21][22] This sparked discussion among listeners and media.[23][24]
References
- ↑ "Sizwe Dhlomo shares how Anele Mdoda was instrumental in his radio career". TimesLIVE. 2022-07-14. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ Digital, Drum. "Are you the next MTV Base VJ?". News24. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Reporter, T. M. O. (2020-06-04). "Sizwe Dhlomo joins Kaya FM as host of afternoon drive show". The Media Online. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
- ↑ BizCommunity. "Kaya FM welcomes Sizwe Dhlomo to the home of the Afropolitan - Kaya 959". Bizcommunity. Retrieved 2025-11-20. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Langa, Phumlani S. "Sizwe Dhlomo: A new Afropolitan". News24. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Sizwe Dhlomo | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ Digital, Drum. "Are you the next MTV Base VJ?". News24. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
- ↑ Hub, Fakaza (2024-02-06). "Sizwe Dhlomo Net Worth: Media Personality and Trailblazer". FakazaHub. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ admin (2024-04-18). "Sizwe Dhlomo biography, age, education, career, personal Life and Forex". Southern African Celebs. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ Selisho, Kaunda (2021-09-08). "A look back at SA's most beloved TV presenters". The Citizen. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ stelsinkins (2016-03-10). "Do you have what it takes to be an MTV VJ?". theluvvie. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ Ntombenhle (2020-06-03). "Kaya 959 Welcomes Sizwe Dhlomo to the Home of The Afropolitan". KAYA 959. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ @yomzansi (2020-06-03). "Sizwe Dhlomo joins Kaya FM as afternoon drive host". YOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTURE. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ "Sizwe Dhlomo's Restaurant". Zalebs. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ Kaya 959, Business Update - Beware of Fake Investment Companies, Warns FSCA, retrieved 2025-11-21
- ↑ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ Tiwane, Bonginkosi (2023-10-12). "Radio Awards recognise Sizwe Dhlomo for Drive-time show despite now being Kaya's morning jock". The Citizen. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ "Telkom Radio Awards 2021". Telkom Radio Awards. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ Mazibuko, Thobile (2017-03-22). "The long-standing feud between Sizwe Dhlomo and Vusi Thembekwayo heats up again". IOL. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ Writer, Entertainment (2020-05-16). "Sizwe Dhlomo calls AKA an 'awful business person' while defending him". IOL. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ admin (2025-11-14). "🎙️ Sizwe Dhlomo Imposes Ban: No Shebeshxt or R. Kelly on Kaya FM Playlist". SA Varsity Newz. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ "Sizwe Dhlomo Refuses to Play Shebeshxt and R. Kelly on Kaya FM - News365.co.za". news365.co.za. 2025-11-13. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ Zvikaramba, Tayananiswa (2025-11-12). "Sizwe Dhlomo Shuts Down Requests to Play Shebeshxt and R. Kelly on Kaya FM - Briefly.co.za". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ↑ Chiraag (2025-11-13). "Sizwe Dhlomo Rejects Shebeshxt and R. Kelly Requests". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
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