Vanessa Marawa is an award-winning South African radio and television presenter, MC and media personality whose career spans radio, television, live events and reality television.
Vanessa first became a household name in 2006 when she made television history as the winner of the inaugural Survivor South Africa: Panama. After 29 demanding days in the competition, she defeated fellow finalist Jacinda Louw in a 3–2 jury vote to become South Africa’s first-ever Sole Survivor, taking home the R1 million prize.
RADIO CAREER
Radio has become one of the defining pillars of Vanessa’s broadcasting career.
She joined Vuma 103 FM in 2013 as one of a group of high-profile personalities brought into the growing KwaZulu-Natal commercial station. Over the years she has developed a distinctive radio style built around lifestyle content, relatable conversation, music, wellness, relationships and everyday issues.
Vanessa went on to host the weekday lifestyle programme Till Noon with Vanessa, broadcasting from 09h00 to 12h00. The show allowed her to combine her natural conversational style with lifestyle-focused content and listener interaction.
After spending time away from the station pursuing television opportunities, Vanessa returned to Vuma FM in July 2023, joining Vincent Mgenge on the weekday midday show iCrush yo Lova, initially broadcasting from 12h00 to 15h00.
Her continued development as a broadcaster culminated in significant industry recognition in 2025, when Vanessa won the prestigious Telkom Radio Award for Daytime Show (Commercial) for iCrush Nolova. The accolade recognised her work in one of commercial radio’s highly competitive daytime categories and cemented her standing as an accomplished South African radio personality.
She subsequently transitioned back into the 09h00–12h00 daytime slot, continuing to connect with listeners through her energetic, warm and personality-driven broadcasting style.
TELEVISION & MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
Vanessa’s television career extends well beyond her breakthrough on Survivor South Africa.
She presented The Power Within on SABC3, an inspirational magazine programme focused on uplifting stories and personal development.
In 2016 she returned to M-Net as a presenter of Spellbound, alongside Jason Greer. As the show’s quiz master, Vanessa led contestants through the programme’s spelling and word challenges, marking her return to the M-Net family a decade after winning Survivor South Africa.
Her experience across reality television, magazine programming, game-show presenting and radio has given Vanessa considerable versatility as a live presenter and facilitator.
MC & LIVE EVENTS
Alongside broadcasting, Vanessa has established herself as an experienced corporate MC and programme director, bringing the confidence and adaptability developed through years of live radio and television to the event environment.
Her approachable presenting style works particularly well for corporate conferences, gala dinners, awards ceremonies, launches, lifestyle events, women’s events, panel discussions and brand activations.
Vanessa combines professionalism with an easy warmth and sense of humour, allowing her to engage audiences without losing the structure and momentum required of a professional event host.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Winner – Telkom Radio Awards 2025: Daytime Show (Commercial)
- Presenter on Vuma 103 FM
- Host of Till Noon with Vanessa
- Presenter/co-host of iCrush yo Lova / iCrush Nolova
- Winner of the inaugural Survivor South Africa: Panama (2006)
- South Africa’s first-ever Survivor winner
- Winner of the R1 million Survivor grand prize
- Presenter of The Power Within – SABC3
- Co-presenter and quiz master on Spellbound – M-Net
- Experienced corporate MC and programme director
- Career spanning radio, television, reality TV and live events
Vanessa Marawa’s longevity in the South African media industry reflects her ability to continually reinvent herself. From becoming the country’s first Survivor champion to developing an award-winning career in commercial radio, she has built a public profile characterised by resilience, authenticity, adaptability and an instinctive ability to connect with people.
Today, she brings that combination of broadcasting experience and personality to both the airwaves and the corporate stage, making her a compelling choice as an MC, facilitator, media personality and inspirational speaker.
