Much-loved Ukhozi FM presenter Lady D, whose real name is Dudu Khoza, is a living example of a true radio legend.
Her programme, Jabul’ujule, is aired from 9am to noon every weekday and has more than 2,5 million listeners.
It features Sheilas, a platform for domestic workers to share issues.
The show also features Ncipha Bugebengu every Monday, when she invites former convicts to share their stories.
Lady D started presenting on Ukhozi FM in 1994 when she was still a nurse.
“I had a once-a-week slot about family planning. I became very close to the listeners and went on to present a women and children’s programme called Kumnandi Ekhaya.”
Lady D is involved in community activities. She runs the Lucky Dube Trust, which looks after the reggae musician’s estate to ensure his widow survives and his kids go to school.
She’s a member of the Zulu kingdom royal committee.
“Together with the team, I take care of the reed dance and every year I interview the king through the station.”
Through radio, Lady D started focus groups such as Sheilas and Amajukuku to empower rural women and hostel dwellers. She was the main speaker at the year-end function of the Gauteng Sheilas branch on World Aids Day in Hartebeespoort.
Speaker after speaker called her Is’khukhukazi Es’matshweletshwele (Zulu for mother hen)
Her biography, UDudu Umabizw’asabele, was launched last month.
“Listeners wanted to know more about me. It’s the first Zulu biography by a black woman radio presenter,” she said.
The radio personality is managed by her husband, Bongani.
