PICS | Azania Mosaka graduates with distinction

Broadcaster and media personality Azania Mosaka has graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand with distinction in the field of journalism and media studies.

Images surfaced on social media today of Azania standing proudly in her cap and gown near the steps of the Great Hall after her graduation ceremony. 

The 46-year-old’s personal social media pages, as of yet, don’t reflect this momentous achievement, which probably speaks to the humility she possesses.

However, her fans are revelling in her accomplishment, which further cements the run she has enjoyed on our airwaves and screens.

Azania who was raised in Pimville Soweto is a renowned South African broadcaster and journalist with over 20 years of experience in radio and television.

She started her radio career at Metro FM, which is part of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

She initially presented the afternoon drive show Route 326 before transitioning to the breakfast show The Sound of Breakfast.

This made her the first woman in South Africa to host a commercial radio station’s breakfast show and the first to have presented both drive shows.

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The seasoned broadcaster transitioned seamlessly into the afternoon Radio 702 slot, hosting a hugely popular show that covered topics ranging from lifestyle, mental health issues and live music broadcasts to politics and current affairs.

It’s not a stretch to say that when she took over the 1pm slot, she cemented her position as the queen of daytime radio, owning afternoon radio with her warm personality and fascinating insights. 

The veteran broadcaster spoke about the arts and science worlds with the same ease that she tackled politics and interviewing hard-nosed businesspeople and politicians, managing to disarm them with her incisive mind and humour, so it was an emotional goodbye for many of her listeners when she announced her departure from the station.

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“As they say, all good things must come to an end. After 20 years of radio, I am stepping away from the microphone to pick up the active citizenry baton through my NGO, Peo Impact Gardens in Soweto,” Azania announced at the time.

“My next includes supporting four pillars in our communities: Health - through our vegetable garden, Body and Soul - through our breathwork offering and Mind - via the library program. I look forward to moving into a space of implementation, physically and actively doing community outreach and to use my voice to raise the profile of communities in need. I have so loved my time at 702 and will miss our loyal listeners."

“I’m a sucker for radio, I move from one radio station to another,” then Education MEC Panyaza Lusufi (now Gauteng Premier) said, shortly after she announced her resignation, admitting the afternoon slot is one of his favourites as he called in to say goodbye from his car.

Azania’s last day on air was on Friday, 18 November 2021.

But the serial entrepreneur has been busy since then – podcasting, hosting and moderating conferences and panel discussions, and also growing her NGO, Peo Impact Gardens.

Peo Impact Gardens "is focused on improving the experience of young learners through food gardens in schools", according to its Instagram page.

And now, the founder of this initiative is a proud Wits honours graduate.