Going topless gets her motor running

One creative firebrand, Thandi Davids lives and breathes television.

She sells and markets the globally popular National Geographic Channel and Fox International channels in South Africa - and also throughout the whole of Africa.

Davids grew up in a township on the outskirts of Johannesburg and went to a Northern suburbs school, Woodmead. She began studying law but eventually opted for a Bachelor of Arts degree - which she later labelled a "Bugger All" qualification.

An avid movie boffin, the tiny Thandi's eaten more popcorn than most movie-goers but still moves with the zest of the black topless car she drives.

What was your first car?

My first car was a "Bellville blue" Jetta. It was a great, reliable car but I would get teased a lot about the baby blue - it was the same colour as the vehicles driven by the police in Cape Town - hence "Bellville Blue".

How did you get it?

A family friend was upgrading and I needed wheels so this was the easiest way at the time. .

How long have you had it?

I had the car for about four years - my lasting memory of it was that it was the last car I had with a removal radio face (which, bizarrely, I found packed up in a cupboard recently. I still scratch my head wondering why the new owner didn't make a fuss).

What's the most surprising thing about your current car?

That it's a Merc. I never thought I would drive one. I really like the fact that is a hard-top cabriolet which gives me a sense of security when the roof is up, although it's best when the roof is down and there is an ocean view.

What made you choose black?

I was looking to buy, and my boss at the time had been transferred out of the country so she was selling her car for a very reasonable price. I couldn't say no as it ticked the zippy topless criteria I had set.

How often do you drive it topless?

Asking a woman about going topless is inappropriate and rude, Mr Naidu.

You're driving down the Cote d'Azur in a Ferrari Daytona - who would be your dream passenger?

My I-pod - finish 'n klaar!

What is your dream?

An eco-friendly cabriolet is the easy answer but the real answer is a car that would exercise you when you drove and, most importantly, with a seat that rotated outward when you opened the door so you could climb out gracefully - even in heels and a pencil skirt.