Radio personality Winnie Busisiwe Mahlangu was born in Witbank in 1932. Whilst women were discriminated against because of their gender in the SABC, they were given only temporary employment. Winnie was the first woman to be employed permanently by SABC for Radio Bantu in 1962.
She was named by K.E. Masinga as ‘uMafungwase –first born’ as she was the only woman amongst men. She specialized in women’s programmes and has traveled extensively. As a linguist Winnie Mahlangu discovered the rich talent of the late Thetha Masombuka, the popular radio sports commentator and radio announcer. She is now retired. In 2015, she was presented with a National Order, the highest award in South Africa.