Veteran singer and businesswoman Yvonne Chaka Chaka is celebrating six years of WOMan Radio, the all-female digital radio station she founded to amplify women’s voices and create space for conversations about social justice, equality and empowerment.
The station marked its anniversary on 20 October, commemorating six years since its first broadcast in 2020. What began as an ambitious digital broadcasting venture has grown into a platform that reportedly attracts more than 60 000 monthly listeners across the globe.
Founded by the legendary singer and humanitarian, affectionately known as the Princess of Africa, WOMan Radio is operated entirely by women, with female technicians, content producers, management and on-air presenters forming the backbone of the station.
Amplifying women’s voices
Since its launch, WOMan Radio has positioned itself as a platform for conversations that are often overlooked or underrepresented in mainstream media.
Its programming includes more than 10 shows and podcasts covering issues such as gender-based violence, LGBTQ+ advocacy, financial literacy, youth development and the rights of marginalised workers.
Chaka Chaka said the station was established to give African women greater control over their stories and how they are represented.
“When we took to the airwaves six years ago on the 20th of October, we had a simple yet profound vision; to amplify the stories of African women and give them ownership of their own power and purpose. Today, we aren’t just a radio station; we are a movement. We have proven that when you empower women in the media, you change the narrative for the entire continent,” she said.
Taking African women’s stories to the world
Broadcasting from its headquarters in Sandton, Johannesburg, the station has expanded its digital reach beyond South Africa, attracting listeners from across the African continent and international cities, including London and New York.
Audiences can tune in through the official WOMan Radio app, allowing the station to reach listeners beyond the geographical limitations of traditional broadcasting.
Chaka Chaka said the station had to overcome doubts about whether an online radio platform could succeed in South Africa, where the cost of mobile data remains a challenge and traditional radio continues to play a significant role.
“When we started WoMan Radio online, people said it wouldn’t work in South Africa because data is too expensive and traditional radio dominates. But we proved them wrong. New media gives us the freedom to control our own narratives without gatekeepers, and despite the data challenges, our listeners keep coming back because they see themselves in our stories. Thriving for six years shows that when content is authentic and empowering, people will always find a way to tune in,” she added.
A platform built on empowerment
WOMan Radio is self-funded and managed by an all-female team. Its mission extends beyond broadcasting, with a focus on women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, resilience and education.
The station also seeks to connect communities from different social and geographical backgrounds through dialogue and storytelling, using digital media to make space for perspectives that may otherwise struggle to find an audience.
For Chaka Chaka, the six-year milestone represents the continuation of a vision centred on giving women greater visibility and ownership of their narratives.
As WOMan Radio enters its seventh year, the station’s journey highlights the role of women-led media platforms in broadening representation and creating opportunities for women to participate in shaping public conversations.
