Michelle Constant has officially signed off from SAfm, bringing an end to a distinguished 30-year broadcasting career that shaped South African radio and public conversation.
Her departure, confirmed in December, saw her final show on the national public broadcaster air before the close of 2025.
For generations of listeners, Constant was more than a familiar voice on the airwaves.
She became a trusted companion who guided audiences through ideas, culture and curiosity. She is best known for hosting The Jetset Breakfast, SAfm’s weekend breakfast show, which earned a loyal following for its thoughtful and wide-ranging content.
The programme built a unique identity by spotlighting South African creatives from across the arts, including writers, visual artists, musicians, performers and theatre practitioners.
Beyond the arts, the show also ventured into conversations about science, innovation and the extraordinary elements hidden within everyday life, setting it apart from conventional breakfast radio.
Constant’s philosophy was perhaps best captured in her signature line, “Small Stories, Big Ideas, Massive Inspiration. Shifting the Lens on your World,” a mantra that came to define both the show and her approach to broadcasting.
Long before becoming a fixture on SAfm, Constant played a formative role at 5FM during the early years of South Africa’s democracy.
At a time when the country’s cultural identity was being reimagined, she helped shape music programming that reflected a more diverse and inclusive national sound, cementing her reputation as a broadcaster in tune with the country’s evolving social landscape.
Reflecting on her exit, Constant spoke with gratitude and anticipation for what lies ahead.
“After 30 incredible years, I’ve decided it’s time to step into a new chapter,” she said.
“I’m deeply grateful to our listeners, who inspired us to cover diverse and meaningful stories. We are living in a rapidly shifting world, and whilst we need to continue to tell our stories, how we do it has changed. I am excited!”
Her career, however, stretches far beyond radio. Constant has held influential leadership roles across business, arts and culture, including a decade-long tenure as head of Business and Arts South Africa, where she was instrumental in strengthening ties between corporate South Africa and the creative sector.
She holds an MPhil in Corporate Strategy and is widely regarded as a strategic thinker with a strong focus on sustainability and systems thinking.
Currently, she serves as the CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa, while also contributing as a non-executive director on several prominent boards, including Business Unity South Africa, the National Arts Festival and the Indlulamithi Scenarios Trust.
She additionally chairs the French Institute of South Africa’s cultural committee.
Constant’s impact has earned international recognition, with the French government awarding her both the Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite and the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for her contributions to arts, culture and public discourse.
As she steps away from SAfm, Michelle Constant remains firmly embedded in South Africa’s creative and cultural spaces.