This Is My Time: Siphiwe Sibiya on Ukhozi FM, Big Dreams and Velvet After Dark

Some career moments take years to arrive — and then suddenly everything changes.
For Siphiwe Sibiya, one of those moments came in 2024.
Before the Ukhozi FM microphone, the DJ sets and the growing public profile, Siphiwe describes herself as a young woman from Kwa-Machibisa with big dreams.
Her journey has included studies in Journalism and Media Studies and Radio Production, experience across different radio stations and a parallel path into music as a Soul and R&B DJ.
Today, her public profile spans radio, live entertainment, DJing and brand work.
But behind the titles is a much simpler principle that Siphiwe says has followed her throughout the journey:
excellence.

“Excellence is my lifestyle”

It is one of the first things Siphiwe says about herself in the profile she supplied to Richards Bay Hub.
We asked what that principle means to her personally, especially when she looks at how far the journey has taken her.

I always apply this principle in my life that what I do excel so I always try my out level best to excel in everything I do big or small

“I always try my out level best to excel in everything I do big or small”

— Siphiwe Sibiya

Building the journey before the breakthrough

Siphiwe’s career was not built around one sudden opportunity.
Her supplied profile reflects years spent learning and developing herself in radio, backed by studies in Journalism and Media Studies and Radio Production.
Music became another part of that journey. She says she began DJing in 2019, with Soul and R&B forming an important part of her sound.
Her path has since moved across radio studios, live stages and entertainment spaces — different environments that all demand the ability to connect with an audience.
Then came the opportunity that would change the direction of her radio career.

The moment the dream became real

In 2024, Siphiwe entered the Winnie Mahlangu Female Presenter Search associated with Ukhozi FM.
In the profile she supplied to Richards Bay Hub, she describes winning the competition as a major turning point in her life.
From the outside, a breakthrough can look like a simple success story.
Her own account is more human than that.
She remembers gratitude.
She remembers disbelief.
And she remembers being scared.

Winning the talent search was a dream come true empileni kwafeza iphupho lami le minyaka and I am still grateful for this opportunity, I was overwhelmed,I couldn't believe that it finally happened and I was scared because ukhozi is a big radio station but I was aware that this is my time and I should grab it with both hands

“I was aware that this is my time and I should grab it with both hands”

— Siphiwe Sibiya

Fear did not mean the opportunity was wrong

One of the most revealing parts of Siphiwe’s answer is that getting what she had worked towards did not remove fear.
She says she was overwhelmed.
She says she could not believe it had finally happened.
And she says she was scared because of the size of the platform she was stepping into.
Her response offers a less polished version of what a career breakthrough can actually feel like.
Sometimes the moment you have been waiting for arrives before you feel completely ready.
The decision is whether you step into it anyway.

More than one lane

Radio is only one part of Siphiwe’s public journey.
Her profile also describes work as a DJ and master of ceremonies, while her current social profile identifies her across radio, entertainment and brand work.
She says she began DJing in 2019, developing a sound around Soul and R&B and performing across KwaZulu-Natal.
Those different roles require different skills, but they all place Siphiwe in the same position:
in front of people, trying to create a connection.

Now the journey comes to Empangeni

Siphiwe is now part of the lineup for Velvet After Dark at Es’bayeni Lifestyle on 31 October.
It brings her into a new space and a new audience.
When Richards Bay Hub asked what people can expect when she gets behind the decks, her answer was simple: good music and a good time.

It my first time playing that side, I am very happy and so looking forward to seeing the place, people and have fine.
Music wise, just be prepared to hear good music and we will have so much fun together

“Music wise, just be prepared to hear good music and we will have so much fun together”

— Siphiwe Sibiya

Big dreams, one opportunity at a time

Siphiwe’s story is still being written.
There are more broadcasts ahead, more stages to play and more opportunities she cannot yet know are coming.
But there is already a pattern behind the journey.
She dreamed.
She studied.
She built experience.
She kept showing up.
And when one of the biggest opportunities of her career finally arrived, it brought excitement and fear at the same time.
She chose to take it.
Maybe that is what makes her words worth remembering.
Not because the moment arrived without doubt — but because when it did arrive, she recognised it.
This was her time.

“I was aware that this is my time and I should grab it with both hands”

— Siphiwe Sibiya