Gugulethu Mfuphi
Gugulethu Mfuphi is a South African broadcast journalist, specialising in financial markets, economic data, and current affairs across the African continent. Mfuphi has established herself as a moderator and speaker, recognized for her command of complex economic discourse.
Mfuphi is the host of the business show, Kaya Biz, on Kaya FM., a two-time winner of the Liberty Radio Awards in the Best Business and Finance Show category. Prior to her full-time return to radio, she served for many years as a Senior Anchor for the pan-African news network, CNBC Africa.
She has moderated conferences for international bodies such as the World Bank and the International Labour Organization, and she was selected to facilitate President Cyril Ramaphosa's second South Africa Investment Conference in 2019. Mfuphi's broad professional impact was recognised in 2019 when she was listed among the Mail and Guardian
Early life and education
Mfuphi has a Bachelor of Commerce Accounting degree at the University of Johannesburg.Mfuphi was inspired early in her career by established South African financial media figures, including Nikiwe Bikitsha, Siki Mgabadeli, and Lerato Mbele, driving her ambition to "be part of shaping the conversation in South Africa, Africa and the world".
Mfuphi has described herself as a "daddy's girl," noting that her father was an early and vital supporter of her desire to enter broadcasting. He encouraged her public speaking from high school onward, advised her to "strike while the iron is hot," and still provides critical feedback on her work.
Career
Mfuphi's broadcasting career began while she was still a student, starting as a newsreader at UJFM-95.4 after being introduced to the station by newsreader Mommy Mohlahlo. This led to her first professional roles in commercial radio, including the customary "graveyard shift," as a News Anchor/Reader at Talk Radio 702 and 567 CapeTalk.A turning point in her career occurred when regular listener on the talk radio station suggested she pursue financial news. She joined Moneyweb, a specialist financial news provider, where she began her deep specialisation in economic journalism. At Moneyweb, she was mentored by Alec Hogg, who told her that she must learn to "tell the story in the numbers, and not simply report on them". During this period, she also contributed to the City Press newspaper through its partnership with Moneyweb. Her early career also involved presenting roles on SAfm and Lotus FM.
Mfuphi then joined CNBC Africa as a senior anchor, a role she held between approximately 2011 and 2019. This pan-African platform allowed her to solidify her reputation as an authority on African financial markets and global economic impact. During her tenure with CNBC Africa, she reported from economic and policy gatherings including the World Bank and IMF Springs Meetings in Washington DC, and the Annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Mfuphi returned to radio, which she has described as her "first love". She began hosting Kaya Biz on Kaya FM, the station's prime-time business show, a role she has held since 2017. Between 2017 and 2019 shealso served as a Senior Anchor on CNBC Africa and hosted Kaya Biz.
Awards and recognition
Mfuphi's primary professional recognition derives from thee Liberty Radio Awards. She is a two-time winner in the category of Best Business and Finance Show for her work as the host of Kaya Biz on Kaya FM.In 2019, Mfuphi was recognized in the Mail and Guardian