The Power behind the mic

Award-winning broadcaster Siki Mgabadeli is as comfortable on radio and television as she is behind the wheel of her Mini, writes Edwin Naidu.

Feisty and calm under pressure, Siki Mgabadeli does not mince her words, so it is little wonder she is one of South Africa’s best known talk-show hosts.

The Rhodes University graduate cut her teeth on national broadcaster SABC’s platforms SAfm and Morning Live, before joining fledgling 702 wannabe upstart Power FM.

Mgabadeli hosts Power Business on weekdays from 5pm to 6pm, a show that she is comfortable with, having made her name covering economics for, among others, CNBC Africa and SAfm with Morning Talk with Siki .

What was your first car?

A Mini Cooper S.

How did you get it?

Blood, sweat and tears ... I went the dealer route and got a great deal on a demo.

What did it cost?

It had about 1000km on the clock, so it cost around R350000.

How long did you have it?

I had it for three years until I had an accident. It was a write-off.

What attracted you to it in the first place?

I always loved the Toyota Rav4 and my plan was to get one of those. But then I got into a colleague’s Mini and I fell in love with the cheeky car.

What’s the most surprising thing about your car?

I bought a Countryman a few weeks ago and I love how it still maintains the cheekiness of the small car, but has more space.

What made you choose the car you have?

I had been driving a Mercedes and as much as I love Mercs, they just scream old. And I missed the fun that comes with the Mini brand.

Tell us about your first big accident?

I was driving back from a dinner and I came around a sharp bend to find two stationary taxis in the middle of the road. I swerved to avoid them and hit a pole. It was horrific, but I will always be grateful to the lady who was walking by and came to help me call for help.

You’re driving down the Côte d’Azur in a Ferrari Daytona — who would be your dream passenger?

My brother. He loves that car so much, we might have to wrestle over who gets to drive.

If you won the Lotto, what vehicle(s) would you buy?

I wouldn’t buy a car ... it is a depreciating asset after all. But if I had to, it would have to be a Maserati.

Have you found anything on the market that you simply could not resist?

I am happy with the car I have, so I think I’ve found what I couldn’t resist.

What drives you?

I would have to say it is my love of communicating, debating and sharing stories. That’s what gets me out of bed in the morning.