African music continues to reach audiences around the world, and now a celebrated platform dedicated to the continent’s artists is expanding its reach on South African radio.
Y, previously known as YFM, has announced that Apple Music Radio’s Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida will join its station lineup every Sunday at 1pm from 1 November 2026.
The partnership brings the globally focused African music show to Y’s audience, connecting listeners with established stars, emerging talent and the music shaping Africa’s evolving sound.
For a show built around celebrating African creativity, the move creates another opportunity for the continent’s artists and their stories to reach listeners at home and beyond.
Africa’s music takes centre stage
Since launching in 2020, Africa Now Radio has taken listeners on a sonic journey across the continent. The show features interviews with some of African music’s biggest names, as well as emerging artists making their mark.
At the heart of each episode is “The Big 5”, a showcase of the hottest new tracks of the week alongside major hits from across Africa.
The programme offers a dedicated platform for the sounds, stories and artists shaping the continent’s music landscape. Its focus extends beyond the tracks themselves, giving artists space to share their experiences and perspectives with audiences around the world.
Over the years, the show has interviewed artists including Rema, Tyla, Ayra Starr, TxC, BNXN, Nasty C and Angelique Kidjo.
Now, with its arrival on Y, more South African listeners will have an opportunity to tune in to these conversations and discover music from across the continent.
Nandi Madida joins Y’s Sunday lineup
For host Nandi Madida, the partnership connects a pan-African music platform with a station that has helped shape South African youth culture.
“Y has played an important role in shaping South Africa’s youth culture, music and sound over the years,” shared Madida. “It is an absolute honour to add to their legacy. I cannot wait to share amazing sounds and stories coming out of this beautiful continent.”
Her comments reflect the show’s focus on celebrating African music through both its sounds and the stories behind them.
Y Managing Director Haseena Cassim also highlighted the partnership’s alignment with the station’s commitment to music, culture and youth audiences.
“Y has always been at the forefront of connecting young South Africans with music and key cultural movements shaping our continent,” said Cassim.
“Bringing Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida to our Sunday lineup is a natural extension of our ongoing commitment. This partnership gives our listeners access to a truly pan-African sound and creates another powerful platform for African artists and their stories to reach audiences not just at home, but also around the globe. We’re excited to welcome Nandi and Africa Now Radio to the Y family as we continue championing the incredible diversity and influence of African music.”
Artists celebrate a platform for African voices
The show’s impact is also reflected in the voices of artists who value the opportunity to share African music with a global audience.
South African rapper and songwriter Focalistic highlighted the importance of creating space for the continent’s music to travel beyond its borders.
“What Apple Music and Nandi Madida are doing with Africa Now Radio is giving our music space to live on a global stage,” he noted. “She’s one of our own giving a voice to the sounds of South Africa and beyond.”
DJ and record producer De Mthuda also praised the programme’s role in celebrating African genres.
“Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida champions African music on a global stage. Nandi’s passion for the continent’s sound creates a space where Amapiano and other African genres get celebrated with the context and respect they deserve,” he commented.
For rapper and songwriter Kwesta, the platform helps African artists tell their stories in their own voices.
“Africa Now Radio is one of the most important platforms in our culture right now. What Nandi has built gives African artists a real seat at the table, telling our stories in our own voice, from the kasi all the way to the world,” he added.
Rapper, songwriter and record producer Cassper Nyovest also emphasised the importance of international visibility.
“Shows like Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida are important because they create a platform for African music and voices to be heard globally,” he said.
Amapiano singer Young Stunna pointed to the role of the show as African sounds continue to reach international audiences.
“As Amapiano continues to take African sounds to the world, platforms like Africa Now Radio help showcase our culture authentically,” he added.
DJ and Afro-house pioneer Sun-El Musician reflected on his own experience with the programme.
“Being part of Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida was a special experience for me,” he said. “I think platforms like this are important because they give African artists a space to tell our stories, share our music and connect with people beyond just the music itself.”
Together, these perspectives underline the value of platforms that put African artists, genres and cultural stories in front of audiences around the world.
A growing radio network across Africa
The partnership with Y marks the latest radio syndication agreement for Africa Now Radio, extending its reach across more African markets.
The show already broadcasts on Cool FM in Nigeria on Sundays at 7pm and on YFM Ghana on Sundays at 4pm.
Beyond radio, The NATIVE Mag also publishes the Africa Now Radio cover star interview each week, extending the programme’s artist-focused storytelling to another platform.
With Y joining the network, the show adds another route for African music to reach listeners and strengthens its presence across the continent.
Where to listen to Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida
South African listeners can tune in to Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida on Y every Sunday at 1pm, starting 1 November 2026.
The show will be available through:
- The YWorld App
- yworld.co.za
- OpenView HD
- DStv Channel 859
- FM 99.2
Listeners can also listen to Africa Now Radio on Apple Music.
From the latest tracks in “The Big 5” to conversations with the artists shaping African music, the new Sunday slot offers another opportunity to experience the continent’s diverse sounds and stories.
As Africa Now Radio joins Y, one thing remains at the heart of the partnership: giving African music and the people behind it more room to be heard.
