Paul Mnisi is an award-winning South African multimedia personality, known for his work as a radio and television presenter, DJ, editor, and musician. Born Paul Mvulane Mnisi in Katlehong in July 1977, he began his long and varied media career at the age of 17.
Broadcasting and print media
- Early radio career: Mnisi first worked in radio in 1996 as a field reporter and newsreader for community station Voice of Soweto before getting his own show.
- Rise to fame on YFM: His career gained significant traction when he became one of the founding on-air personalities at the youth radio station YFM in 1997, where he was known as “Rudeboy Paul”. He spent 11 years at YFM before leaving in 2008 to focus on his business ventures.
- Print editor: In 2002, he was appointed editor of the influential youth publication Y Mag. Under his leadership, the magazine was named Best Youth Magazine at the Sappi Pica Awards for two consecutive years.
- Television presenting: Mnisi has hosted a number of television shows throughout his career, including:
- Ecovision (1995)
- Channel O (1998)
- Jam Alley (1999–2001)
- Lilizela Mlilizeli (2007)
- Kwela Express (2010)
- Radio 2000: As of 2025, he is a host on Radio 2000, presenting the weekday show The Drive Connection and the Saturday show Space and Time.
Music and creative pursuits
- Musical journey: Mnisi is also a poet and musician who performs under the name Mnisi We Mvula. His musical style is characterized by reflective works that explore African identity, spirituality, and social consciousness. His released singles include “Ithuba Lami,” “Induk’enhle,” and “Forever”.
- DJing and production: As a DJ, he has performed at clubs and festivals across Africa. He also established his own company, Rudeboy Productions, in 2001, which offers services like music production and voice-overs.
Awards and community work
- Arts and Culture Trust Award: In 2003, Mnisi was honored with an Arts and Culture Trust Award for his media contributions to arts and culture.
- Youth mentorship: He served on the advisory board for the youth development organization LoveLife for five years, leveraging his experience as a youth leader
