Given Mkhari has built one of South Africa’s notable black-owned media and communications businesses, evolving from campus radio into a diversified network spanning broadcasting, advertising, television production, public relations, printing, outdoor media and media sales.

His journey began in 1995, when he and Simphiwe Mdlalose helped establish Radio Turf at the University of the North. Mkhari has described the station as his first broadcasting venture, where he worked as both manager and presenter. Three years later, he launched All Media Productions and Given Mkhari Productions, laying the foundation for a business career that would eventually extend well beyond radio.

Given Mkhari later partnered with Mdlalose to build The Communications Firm and, in 2002, establish MSG Afrika Investment Holdings as an investment platform focused on media, advertising and communications. Rather than relying solely on businesses he founded, Given Mkhari used MSG Afrika to acquire stakes in established companies and build new ventures across the media value chain.

He is renowned for his success in building entirely black-owned commercial radio stations from scratch by applying for new licenses, a highly unusual, pioneering feat in South Africa, where most black-owned media empires were formed by purchasing existing stakes

Its portfolio grew to include interests in Galaxy Media, The Jupiter Drawing Room and Curious Pictures, alongside investments in printing, outdoor advertising, television and radio. Several of these holdings were later diluted, sold, or transferred, reflecting the group’s evolution and investment strategy.

Today, the business has consolidated around broadcasting, content and communications. MSG Afrika has since evolved into SHILUMANA Group, which in September 2026 was reported to own four radio stations, Capricorn FM, Power 98.7, Rhythm FM and Beat 105.2, alongside Quizzical Pictures, The Communications Firm and MSG Group Sales.

Here are 10 businesses and business platforms chronicled by Shore Africa that form part of Given Mkhari’s documented corporate history:

1. SHILUMANA Group — formerly MSG Afrika

SHILUMANA Group is the principal corporate platform associated with Given Mkhari today. The group was formerly known as MSG Afrika, the media and communications investment company Mkhari built with Simphiwe Mdlalose. MSG Afrika Investment Holdings was formally established as an investment company in 2002, although Mkhari’s earlier business history dates to the late 1990s. The group’s historical portfolio expanded well beyond broadcasting, encompassing advertising, television production, printing, communications and outdoor media. By September 2026, SHILUMANA was described as a pan-African media, digital-infrastructure, technology and investment group, with its current portfolio centred on four radio stations: Capricorn FM, Power 98.7, Rhythm FM and Beat 105.2.

2. Capricorn FM

Capricorn FM in Limpopo is one of Given Mkhari’s clearest founder-led businesses. Mkhari and Simphiwe Mdlalose developed the station after successfully applying for a commercial radio licence in Limpopo. Capricorn FM went on air in November 2007 and became Limpopo’s first and only commercial radio station, broadcasting in 70% English and 30% local vernacular languages (Sepedi, Tshivenda, and Xitsonga). Historical reporting says Mkhari, Mdlalose and Andile Khumalo invested approximately R15 million in establishing the station, which reportedly reached break-even within 14 months. It remains part of Mkhari’s current SHILUMANA portfolio.

3. Power 98.7

Power 98.7 based in Gauteng is arguably Mkhari’s most prominent broadcasting venture. MSG Afrika secured the Gauteng commercial FM licence in December 2011, and Power 98.7 began broadcasting on June 18, 2013. The National Empowerment Fund provided R36.2 million in seed funding. The station had a broad shareholder base that included MSG Afrika Media, Ndalo Media, Zungu Investments, African Women Chartered Accountants, the NEF and management. Historical reporting puts Mkhari’s personal interest at about 70% at one stage, although this should not be presented as his current stake. Mkhari resisted speculation that Power FM would be sold when the station encountered difficulties during its early years. It remains part of SHILUMANA’s current four-station portfolio.

4. Rhythm FM

Rhythm FM in Eastern Cape represents Mkhari’s expansion beyond Limpopo and Gauteng. MSG Afrika held a 19.8% stake in Rhythm FM according to the station’s historical shareholding records reported by the Mail & Guardian. The Eastern Cape station received its licence from ICASA but experienced lengthy delays before launching. The 19.8% figure is a historical MSG Afrika stake, not evidence that Given Mkhari personally owns 19.8%. By 2026, Rhythm FM was identified as one of the four stations owned by SHILUMANA, indicating that the group’s interest in the station subsequently changed from the earlier minority structure.

5. Beat 105.2 FM

Beat 105.2 in Free State represents another radio licence developed through the MSG platform. Historical records show MSG Afrika as a minority shareholder in the Free State station during its licensing and development phase. MSG Group Sales was appointed to represent Beat alongside Power, Capricorn and Rhythm. The current SHILUMANA structure is different from that earlier shareholder arrangement: the September 2026 account identifies Beat 105.2 as one of the four radio stations owned by the group.

6. The Communications Firm

The Communications Firm is one of the oldest businesses in Given Mkhari’s corporate history. Mkhari and Mdlalose established the company around 2000/2001, with Given Mkhari’s earlier Given Mkhari Productions eventually absorbed into the business. Historical company material describes the early partnership as 50/50. By 2004, it was described as a 100%-owned MSG Afrika subsidiary, making it one of the foundational operating businesses inside Mkhari’s investment group. The Communications Firm remains among the businesses identified alongside SHILUMANA’s current radio portfolio.

7. Quizzical Pictures

Quizzical Pictures traces its Mkhari connection to a significant acquisition. In 2006, MSG Afrika Investment Holdings acquired a 51% stake in Curious Pictures, a South African television-production company, from its existing owners. The company produced television programmes and expanded into commercial and corporate communications. Curious Pictures subsequently became Quizzical Pictures. The business remains associated with Given Mkhari’s group. The latest 2026 account lists Quizzical Pictures alongside SHILUMANA’s four radio stations.

8. Galaxy Media

Galaxy Media was another early MSG investment. In 2003, Galaxy sold 30% of its equity to MSG Afrika Investment Holdings, then owned by Mkhari and Mdlalose. The balance was held by Galaxy Holdings and management. Galaxy was a media-planning and buying agency and subsequently handled major corporate advertising accounts, including Nedbank’s media-planning and buying account. The 30% stake demonstrates Mkhari’s early strategy of taking minority positions in established communications businesses rather than building every business from scratch.

9. Kagiso Outdoor

Before the Continental Outdoor investment, Mkhari’s group entered the outdoor-advertising market through Kagiso Outdoor, giving him indirect exposure through MSG Afrika Media. In 2007, Kagiso Media held 65% and MSG Afrika Media 35% of the newly created Kagiso Outdoor. Kagiso Outdoor then acquired 50.1% of Clear Channel Merafe, giving the joint venture a major position in South Africa’s outdoor-advertising market, including airport and rail advertising. Given Mkhari joined the board of Clear Channel Merafe as part of the transaction.

10. Continental Outdoor Media

Continental Outdoor Media represents one of Mkhari’s largest historical transactions. In 2009, an investor consortium led by Helios Investment Partners, together with Citi Venture Capital International, RMB Corvest and MSG Afrika Investment Holdings, acquired INM Outdoor from Independent News & Media. The business was subsequently renamed Continental Outdoor Media. MSG acquired a 25.1% stake in the South African subsidiary as part of the transaction. The wider transaction was valued at approximately $146.8 million, according to a Helios profile of the deal in an investment made through MSG Afrika. Continental Outdoor is therefore best described as a major historical MSG/Mkhari-linked investment, rather than a business Mkhari currently owns.