SAMANTHA DARSEN – LOTUS FM BIO

Samantha Darsen: Content Producer of The Weekend Recharge every Saturday 6am-9am & The Morning Masala every Sunday 6am-9am

About Samantha: I am Sam. A lover of good writing, great books and good conversations about great books.

Family is most important to me. They are my greatest blessing. This definitely includes my fur babies, Rocky and Bella (the loves of my life). The other thing I love? My guilty pleasure? Binge watching series with my childhood sweetheart (the other love of my life).

By day, I am a wordsmith in the wacky and wonderful world of media and communications. As I set out to dot my i’s and cross my t’s, I also conquer the universe in other ways…behind a lens, belting out voice overs, singing, emceeing, blogging, scrolling through social media for hours, and producing radio content, clearly.

I’m incredibly passionate about music, and so grateful to God for the opportunities I’ve gotten in this life – like having shared stages all over the country with some of the best South African and international talent. Wearing the hats of performer, emcee, coordinator and PRO have allowed me to meet and interview dynamic stars like Neha Kakkar, Vidya Vox, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Mika Singh, Black Coffee, Sho Madjozi, Sunidhi Chauhan, SANAM, Rahul Jain, Remo Ghosh, Freshly Ground, Robert Marawa, Carol Tshabalala, Keshav Maharaj – and the list goes on.

I’m a people person! So, I believe that harmonious relationships really are a real thing. And for that? Clear, concise, communication is key!

Radio Experience & Progression: My radio journey began the day I entered the studio as a guest, and exited being offered a job as a radio jock. In February 2018, I began co-hosting the Sunday morning breakfast show, “The Weekend Wind Down”, on Megazone Bollywood. In 2019, I was offered my own show as Producer and Presenter of The Desi Spice every Sunday, 4pm to 6pm. The highlight of this show was giving a platform to our very own homegrown South African artistes – because local is definitely lekker!

Accomplishments:

• Speaker and Panellist at the BA Summit Southern Africa.
• Honours: Human Sciences and Advanced Research (UNISA) (2021 – 2021)
• Communication Science: Advertising, PR, Media Ethics, Media Studies, Social Science Research Paper, Marketing Communication, Communication Research (UNISA) (2020)
• Dip. Comprehensive Writing and English (College SA) (2011 – 2013)
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) UNISA (Intermediate) (2007)
• Published Legal Editor of South African Labour Law and Arbitration Law Reports for LexisNexis Butterworths Publishers.
• Published Editor for East Africa Law Reports, Nigeria Oil & Gas Cases, Malawi Law Reports, Mauritius Law Reports, SALGBC Cases, Employment Law and Property Law Journals.
• Contextual and Inbound Marketing Certified
• Email and Content Marketing Certified
• Former writer for All4Women.
• Former Contributor to the SA Labour Guide.
• Performed with various local and international musicians and artists, such as SaReGaMaPa Champs and L’il Champs, Dance India Dance winners, Zee TV Stars, Sarika Singh.
• Performed in roadshows with Bollywood singer, Rahul Jain.
• Performed with Neha Kakkar as part of her South African Tour.
• Performed as part of the Vidya Vox SA concert in Durban.
• PRO for launch events of Robert Marawa, Carol Tshabalala, Keshav Maharaj and the Durban July.
• Released several local albums with various artists and music producers.

Hobbies: Building knowledge, singing, shopping, taking pictures, putting together puzzles, travelling and, of course, anything involving puppies.

General Facts: No amount of regret can change the past, and no amount of worry will predict the future!

“Life is golden” – Samantha Darsen