daniel chigunwe
The scorecard for former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi’s radio debut on Power 98.7 is in and she was hot like a heater.
The 27-year-old effortlessly handled like a pro her guest hosting duties on Power Talk between 9am and 12pm as part of the station’s seventh annual #987Women campaign that launched on Wednesday.
Not even Tunzi’s hand-picked and dynamic mix of guests ranging from Precious Moloi-Motsepe to Peggy-Sue Khumalo and Ama Qamata could dethrone the queen.
Tunzi signed up for duty bright and early at 7.30am for a briefing session with producers. Her casual chic style was a pair of cropped jeans and matching blue blazer with sky-high silver pumps that not only had blinding effect, but ensured that she towered above the rest.
Completing the boss fit was a crisp white T-shirt with the letters “the universe needs girls” engraved across her chest. She later informed Sowetan that it’s from the Miss Universe organisation.
Tunzi first stepped into the studio ten minutes before she was scheduled to go on air and the Power Breakfast team marvelled at Brown Skin by India Arie playing as she entered — her melanin glow was fittingly doing all the talking.
Her welcome song was “You Are The Universe” by The Brand New Heavies, a throwback from 1997.
The first hour of the show was hilarious and lines opened to callers to help Tunzi establish a rapport with the listeners. The callers, majority men, were star-struck that many couldn’t construct a sentence.
The first caller said he called to just say “hi”. The second detailed the warm weather in Durban and the third caller gushed about how beautiful Tunzi was.
When one caller asked her: “What would you do if you were president?”
Tunzi joked that the questions were very pageantry and she felt like she was back on the Miss Universe stage.
Top of the hour Tunzi took a break during the news bulletin and Power Talk’s regular host, Lukhona Mnguni, dropped by to greet her. Their adorable chitchat was in full Xhosa.
The tone of the show switched to serious as Khumalo and magazine editor Asanda Sizani joined Tunzi on the phone to speak about representation, diversity and inclusion.
Taking cue from the first two guests, Moloi-Motsepe joined later to speak about the importance of mentorship for young women. Gomora and Blood & Water actor Qamata was sandwiched next. Qamata portrayed Tunzi for the Sowetan40 x Netflix campaign last month.
But the last 30 minutes was the most relaxed, youthful and fun as singers Langa Mavuso and Zoë Modiga joined. It was all about vibez as Mavuso and Modiga belted their tunes. Tunzi was even put on the spot and sang Mavuso’s modern classic Sunday Blues. Her father and sister texted Tunzi to inform her of how beautiful the moment was. “Somehow it came naturally because I love having conversations. We had informative, fun and inspiring conversations. The team was also helpful in holding my hand,” Tunzi told Sowetan after the show. — Sowetan.
Online Reporter