Unathi Reflects on Her First Magazine Cover
OkMzansi | 17.06.2026 18:34
Media personality, singer and radio host Unathi Nkayi is taking a walk down memory lane as she celebrates a major milestone in her career. The star recently shared her very first magazine cover, which appeared in 2001 on Y Mag by YFM.
Looking back at the special moment, Unathi posted a picture of the cover and reflected on how far she has come since then. The cover was released during a significant time in South African history as the country marked the 25th anniversary of the Soweto Uprisings.
Sharing the memory with her followers, Unathi wrote: “2001 MY FIRST COVER. In 2001 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the SOWETO UPRISINGS the editor in chief@siphiwempye decided to put me on the cover of THE YMag by @yfm
The audacity to dream.. This cover shot only a month of doing Castle Loud on SABC 1 with @stoanito and before I ever dreamed of joining the YFM team nor ever releasing music. In the last paragraph of the article Mr Mpye proceeds to predict my music career.
That October I started training at YFM because @thomasmsengana asked @gregmaloka to take a look at me.
A year later @official_zola7 and I recorded SANA LWAM and the rest is history.
25 years later and 50yrs after the Soweto Uprisings I creative directed and executive produced my video with @professorkalawa with his first musical@prouction which is shot in SOWETO. The images of this shoot by @nickboultonphotography who shot my VERY FIRST MAGAZINE COVER 25 years ago. FULL CIRCLE LOOK AT GOD.”
The post gave fans a glimpse into the early days of Unathi’s career. At the time, she had only recently started appearing on television and had not yet imagined herself becoming part of the YFM family or releasing music.
What makes the story even more remarkable is that the prediction made in the magazine article eventually became reality. Unathi went on to build a successful career in radio, television and music, becoming one of South Africa’s most recognisable media personalities.
The moment also highlights how her journey has come full circle. Twenty-five years after that first cover shoot, she worked on a music video in Soweto with photographer Nick Boulton, the same photographer who captured her first magazine cover.
Meanwhile, Unathi continues to grow her music career. She recently released her latest single, Isikhwele, on Friday, 12 June 2026. The song arrives ahead of her upcoming album, African Love, which is expected to be released later this year.
As she celebrates her first magazine cover, Unathi’s story serves as a reminder of how powerful dreams can be when matched with hard work, determination and patience.
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