Ursula Chikane

Ursula Chikane is a broadcaster, content producer, volunteer worker, small business owner and public speaker whose motto is: If you’re going to do it, do it well!

Described as an elegant, fun, fearless, and eloquent entertainer, this consummate professional is also an adventure-sports enthusiast and lists river rafting, skydiving, CrossFit training and boxing among her favourite off-air activities.

Her career started with her as a sports and OB (outside broadcast) specialist presenter. Since then she has become one of South Africa’s most versatile radio and television broadcasters. She is also highly-regarded as a corporate-events host and is known for her professional, infectious and personable presentation manner. It is fair to say that is considered to be one of Southern Africa’s leading conference and gala event hosts. Travelling extensively, both domestically and internationally, her impressive client base is testament to the level at which she delivers.

This widely-respected professional is often booked months in advance by clients who appreciate her ability to accurately ‘read the room’ and adapt to multi-cultural audiences.

On radio, Ursula joined the Gauteng-based HOT1027 as a weekday presenter on ‘Afternoons with Ursula Chikane’ – the show airs from 12h00-15h00 each weekday. Her previous radio incarnations include almost eight years at the helm of Power98.7’s specialist classic soul and R&B show ‘SoulPOWER’, and the widely syndicated trans-African chart show ‘Jammin’ Africa’, produced by Radio Express in Hollywood. Many radio enthusiasts will also remember “Brown Sugar” from her World Chart Show on 5fm.

Over the years Ursula has interviewed a number of leading music, movie, sport and television stars for both local and international consumption. As one of Top Billing’s original presenters, she was granted access to and interviewed (amongst many others) former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, former Prime Minister Tony Blair, President Cyril Ramaphosa, former Western Cape Premier Hellen Zille, and captains of industry including Maria Ramos and Trevor Manuel. On the entertainment side, Ursula’s quiet confidence has
given her the ability to interview and profile a host of celebrities including Beyoncé, Lira, John Legend, Toni Morrison, Dave Matthews, Iyandla Vanzant, Halle Berry, Drew Barrymore, REM, U2, Gregory Porter, Johnny Clegg, Hugh Masekela, Selaelo Selota, Sibongile Khumalo, Marsalis, Sting, Colin Farrell, Carlos Santana, Charlize Theron, and Samuel L Jackson.

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'Ursula did an excellent job. She exceeded our expectations and I must say she made the evening. I will definitely use her again.'

Cecilia RigneyBMW

"It was a pleasure to deal with such a true professional. Well spoken and clear - Ursula took an otherwise boring script and made it her own which worked extremely well in entertaining the guests. Her humour set a great tone for the evenings formal proceedings."

Melissa PooleNine Dots for Old Mutual

"Ursula did a fantastic job! Everyone loved her and she was a joy to work with. We will definitely request her for our future functions! She was perfect in every way!"

Fire Control Systems

"Ursula was pleasure to work with. She is a true professional who brings with her both glamour and style. She was able to handle changes to the script with ease and was a warm and infectuous MC. We can only commend her on what she brought to our event and the part she played in assisting to make it the success it was. We could not have wished for a better MC."

VWSA