Selbeyonce Sparks Emotions as She Leaves Ukhozi FM: “It’s Time to Flourish Somewhere Else”

Popular radio personality Selby Mkhize, widely known as Selbeyonce, has officially left Ukhozi FM after more than a decade on the airwaves. Her final show aired during the Wednesday breakfast slot, leaving many fans emotional and shocked.

Mkhize joined Ukhozi FM in 2012 as a contributor on Umnyakazo Top 20. In 2014, she began hosting Woza Nabangani Bakho, a move that set the tone for her impressive rise at the station. Over the years, she gained recognition with a win at the 2023 SA Radio Awards for Afternoon Drive Presenter and a nomination at the DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards for Best Radio Personality.

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A post shared by Selby “Selbeyonce” Mkhize (@thisisselby)

Speaking to Sowetan after her farewell show, Selbeyonce opened up about her feelings: “We’ve had listeners call in from yesterday. They even texted our WhatsApp line saying how ‘unfair’ and ‘selfish’ I am for leaving and how badly they’re going to miss me. Some even said I am disturbing their work routine,” she said.

Selbeyonce admitted it wasn’t easy to say goodbye to her co-host Khathide “Tshatha” Ngobe. “I couldn’t look at my co-host… All of this is pretty hard to take in, but we’ve had a good run — it’s time to flourish somewhere else. This is a ‘New You, New Me’ type of situation.”

While the exact reason for her departure remains private, she hinted at something new and exciting on the horizon.

“There’s no particular reason for my departure. Just that, at times, we need to spread our wings and fly with everything we’ve learnt at the station,” she explained. “Sometimes, when opportunities come, you must go. I can’t say what it is yet, but you’ll all know soon. It’s still within the industry.”

Selbeyonce described her journey at Ukhozi FM as life-changing. “My journey has been amazing; it’s been so sweet,” she reflected. Starting as an unpaid contributor reading entertainment news, she eventually became a full-time presenter in 2015. One of her biggest highlights was hosting the crossover shows during the festive season, which she said were moments of great pride.

On her future, Selbeyonce is confident and focused. “The plan is to keep doing what I’m doing, but bigger and better. I plan to dominate the entertainment space, of course. I’d like to do more TV shows, like hosting reunions on Showmax and Mzansi Magic and probably presenting more award shows,” she said.

As for her replacement at Ukhozi FM, she said she doesn’t know what the station’s plans are. “I have no idea who will be coming in to fill my spot or whether it will be filled. But I’m sure whoever it is will do a pretty good job. However, it won’t be nice for anyone to compare the person to me,” she added with a smile.