Unathi Nkayi

{{Short description|South African singer, radio host and actress}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| background = person

| name = Unathi Fundiswa Msengana

| birth_name = Unathi Nkayi

| alias =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|11|06}}

| birth_place = Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa

| origin =

| genre = {{hlist|pop|afro-pop|rnb}}

| occupation = {{hlist|singer| radio host|actress}}

| instrument = vocals

| years_active = 2004–present

| label = Universal

| spouse = {{marriage|Thomas Msengana|September 2009|end=div|2017}}

}}

Unathi Fundiswa Msengana (born 6 November 1978) professionally known as Unathi Nkayi is a South African singer, radio host and actress. Born in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, Unathi graduated with Degree in International Media Studies at the University of Utrecht.

She also obtained Degree in Journalism and Drama at Rhodes University in 2000.{{cite web|access-date=2024-06-27|title=Unathi Msengana biography, husband, kids and age |work=Rhodes University|url=https://www.ru.ac.za/communicationsandadvancement/alumnirelations/latestnews/unathimsenganabiographyhusbandkidsandage.html}} Shortly after she completed her studies, Nkayi relocated to Johannesburg in 2001 and began her television career as a host of Castle Loud, prior hosting on YFM as radio presenter. Unathi became co-host of Popstars in 2004 with Rowan Cloete.

Following year, Unathi won Most Promising Woman in Media award at the MTN Media Awards.

Her debut studio album In Honour, was released on 4 January 2008. The album won Best Female Vocalist at 2008 Metro FM Music Awards.{{cite news|location=South Africa |language=en-ZA|title=Metro FM 2008 Awards|url=https://www.news24.com/channel/metro-fm-2008-awards-metro-fm-2008-awards-20081201|url-access=subscription|access-date=2024-08-16}}

In 2011, She landed on role of a judge of Idols South Africa M-Net reality competition.{{cite news|location=South Africa|url-access=subscription|publisher=News24|access-date=2024-08-16|title=Unathi Nkayi says it was an honour being an Idols judge|language=en-ZA|url=https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/tv/unathi-nkayi-says-it-was-an-honour-being-an-idols-judge-20220124-2|date=24 January 2022|first=Thinus |last=Ferreira}}

Unathi earned her first nomination for Favourite South African Radio DJ at the 27th ceremony of Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.{{cite web|title=Anele, Unathi nominated for Kids Choice Awards

|date=26 February 2014|access-date=2024-08-16|work=SNL24|url=https://www.snl24.com/drum/news/anele-unathi-nominated-for-kids-choice-awards-20170728}}

In 2014, Unathi won Glamour Woman of the Year at the Media Star.

In June 2014, she bagged a character role of Rita the Cheetah on Doc McStuffins, Disney Junior series.{{cite web|title=Unathi Msengana plays character of “Rita the Cheetah” in Disney Junior series – Doc McStuffins|work=YoMzansi|url=https://www.yomzansi.com/2014/06/09/unathi-msengana-plays-character-of-rita-the-cheetah-in-disney-junior-series-doc-mcstuffins/|date=2014-06-09|access-date=2024-08-19}}

Unathi studio album Brave, True and Strong, was released on 17 September 2017. It became her commercial successful album sold out in one week.{{cite web|title=Unathi’s New Album ‘Brave, True and Strong’ Sells Out In A Week|url=https://samusicmag.co.za/2017/09/unathis-new-album-brave-true-strong-sells-week/|work=South African Music Magazine|access-date=2024-08-16}}

In September 2018, she announced Brave, True and Strong Tour that ran from 18 August to 20 September.{{cite web|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/sa-singer-unathi-announces-tour-celebration-women|work=Music in Africa|title=SA singer Unathi announces tour in celebration of women|date=16 August 2018|first=Ano|last=Shumba}}{{cite web|title=Unathi to rock the Boardwalk with Brave, True & Strong tour|date=5 September 2018|first=Gillian|last=McAinsh|url=https://www.heraldlive.co.za/amp/lifestyle/events/2018-09-05-unathi-to-rock-the-boardwalk-with-brave-true--strong-tour/|work=Herald LIVE|access-date=2024-08-16}}

In November 2021, Unathi bagged a role of hosting The Festive Get Together in The Life Artois on Mzansi Magic for two consecutive seasons.{{cite news|location=South Africa|url-access=subscription|publisher=City Press|language=en-ZA|access-date=2024-08-16|title=Unathi set to host TV show after being axed by Kaya FM|date=23 November 2021|url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/trending/unathi-set-to-host-tv-show-after-being-axed-by-kaya-fm-20211123 |first=Phumlani S|last=Langa}}

Unathi was announced as the host of STAR 91.9 FM's All Star Drive alongside Justin Toerien in February 2022.{{cite news|location=South Africa|url-access=subscription|publisher=News24|access-date=2024-08-16|title=Unathi Nkayi joins STAR 91.9 FM|date=15 February 2022

|first=Graye|last=Morkel|url=https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/celebrities/news/unathi-nkayi-joins-star-919-fm-20220215|language=en-ZA}}

She hosted GQ's Best Dressed Awards 2022 in August 2022 held at 92 Rivonia in Sandton.{{cite web|title=Unathi Nkayi to host GQ’s Best Dressed Awards 2022|url=https://www.gq.co.za/style/gq-best-dressed/unathi-nkayi-to-host-gqs-best-dressed-awards-2022-251cc744-0502-42c6-acdd-7122e9123dda|work=GQ Magazine|access-date=2024-08-16|first=Shannon|last=Manuel|date=15 August 2022}}

In December 2022, Unathi hosted GQ Man of the Year Awards alongside Donovan Goliath.{{cite web|title=Donovan Goliath and Unathi Nkayi to host GQ’s MOTY Awards 2022

|url=https://www.gq.co.za/culture/entertainment/donovan-goliath-and-unathi-nkayi-to-host-gqs-moty-awards-2022-b2d45848-7b7c-4a8c-9386-81d7905d4c2b|work=GQ Magazine|access-date=2024-08-16|first=Shannon|last=Manuel|date=2 December 2022}}

In early January 2024, Unathi was announced as the host of 2024 Basadi in Music Awards for the second time held at the Joburg Theatre.{{cite news|location=South Africa|url-access=subscription|publisher=News24|access-date=2024-08-16|title=The captivating 2024 Basadi in Music Awards: Unathi Nkayi shines as host, Makhadzi and Tyla win big|date=12 August 2024|url=https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/arts/the-captivating-2024-basadi-in-music-awards-unathi-nkayi-shines-as-host-makhadzi-and-tyla-win-big-20240812|language=en-ZA|first=Kaunda|last=Selisho}}