Criselda Kananda: Biography, Age, Children, Husband, Parents

Criselda Kananda (born 9 September 1969) is a South African internet personality, radio DJ, motivational speaker, counselor, former nurse, television presenter, and medical underwriter. She is best known for her dedication to health equity.

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The radio presenter has worked at Metro FM, SA FM, and Kaya FM. She has received the City Press/Rapport award as one of the ten most influential South African Women.

Criselda Kananda
Kananda dressed in Xhosa attire.
Personal Details
Name:	Criselda Kananda
Born:	9 September 1969 (age 56 years old)
Place of birth:	Boksburg, Benoni, Gauteng
Nationality:	South African
Education:	Tembisa High School
Occupation:	Radio DJ, motivational speaker, counselor, former nurse, television presenter, medical underwriter
Spouse:	Siyolo Dudumashe (m. 2015; div. 2021)
Children:	3
Parents:	Victor Manxhola (father)

Early Life

Criselda Kananda was born on 9 September 1969 in Boksburg, Benoni, Gauteng province, to late Victor Manxhola.

Education

Kananda matriculated from Tembisa High School in Kempton Park, Gauteng. She studied psycho-neuroimmunology, Health and Positive Living, MDP with the Gordon Institute of SA, Project Management, Direct Marketing, and Business Communication.

She studied for a Bachelor’s in Human Ecology and Communications Science.

Career

Kananda worked in sales and marketing and also headed a direct marketing business unit for the South African Post Office. She has also worked with many government departments and the corporate sector. She has a consultancy and talk service, Positive Talk Services.

In 2003, Kananda started the radio talk show Positive Talk on KAYA FM. It focused on how HIV and AIDS impact health, wellness, and socioeconomic imbalances. She has appeared in many newspapers, television programs, and magazines.

Dr Kananda was a Contributing editor and columnist for Real Magazine, City Press, and Bona Magazine. She was a member of the Board of Trustees at the National AIDS Counsel from 2005 to 2006.

Criselda has been a speaker at conferences and meetings. In 2016 and 2017, the First Lady of Ghana appointed her to speak at the Organisation of African First Ladies dialogue in Ghana and Addis Ababa (OAFLA).

Criselda was also in a meeting of the SADEC Health Ministers on wellness. She was also a board member of the South African Food Gardens Foundation.

In 2003, she began serving as a strategic advisor for Khomanani, a comprehensive government communication plan. She represented South Africa at the United Nations General Assembly Special Meeting on Communicable Diseases in 2006.

Criselda was appointed as the innovative product specialist at the Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology. She also received the City Press/Rapport award as one of the ten most influential South African Women.

She co-produces and hosts a show focusing on healthy body, mind, and spirit on Metro FM on Wednesdays and Thursdays. She has travelled with Metro FM to 18 countries around the continent.

Criselda has also represented South Africa on a task team selected by the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation to establish a Global Wellness Communication Strategy in London. She has been involved in advocating for the rights of HIV infected and HIV negative people.

She was also invited to speak at the launch of former President Nelson Mandela’s call for the traditional leaders to act in the fight against the AIDS pandemic. She has also

Dr Criselda has also addressed many women’s groups. They include the South African Woman in Dialogue (SAWID) and Young SAWID, Black Management Forum, Sowetan Women’s Club, Executive Reserve Club, DENOSA-Nurses Union, and The Oprah Magazine’s national Find Your Balance Workshops.

In 2016, the former TV star was the featured guest on the SABC1 music talk show Zaziwa. She has also collaborated with stakeholders, including government agencies, Non-profits, and community organizations.

Criselda was honored by the University of Zululand with a doctoral degree in social work at its King Bhekuzulu Hall in December 2020. She serves as Executive for Corporate Affairs at the NUMSA Investment Company.

Criselda attended the 2006 United Nations General Assembly Special Meeting on communicable diseases held in New York, United States. She was appointed Ambassador of the Tribute To Women concert and Chairperson of the Malibongwe Arts Festival Foundation.

Personal Life

Criselda Kananda got married to Siyolo Dudumashe in June 2015 after they had dated for three months. They had a traditional wedding at her parents’ homestead and a second traditional wedding in Siyolo’s hometown. She has children, namely Thatohatsi, Makhosazana, and Thandolwethu.

In 2019, Kananda started a divorce process after her husband allegedly physically abused her. She opened charges against him but later dropped them and made the news of their divorce public in 2020. She has returned to her maiden name.

In 2021, Criselda began her journey with antiretroviral drugs and had gallbladder surgery. She says she was depressed and ended up with gallstones that led to the removal of the gallbladder. She has been living with HIV for over 22 years.