The Bloem radio space has become a landmark of broadcasting excellence, feeding hungry talent to commercial and public broadcasting stations nationwide, writes Art State editor Ace Moloi.
This piece was born out of a hearty listening experience. One morning, 947’s Anele and the Club newsreader, Thembekile Mrototo, was not in, and filling in for him was Maki Molapo. The fact that two news personalities emerging from Bloem radio were exchanging shifts on such a massive platform stirred my heartstrings, making my soul dance to the rhythm of great memories. It was one of those things that just feel nice.
I then began thinking about bringing together all the talent we once called ours, which we are now sharing with larger audiences. I shared this bold ambition of tracking some of our finest exports with Nkokheli ‘Nkox the Leader’ Lindazwe, emphasising the importance of documenting such stories.
Days later, the lordship of the algorithm showed me a post by former Motheo FM and Kovsie FM presenter, Bangilizwe ‘Bangi’ Msikinya, who was spotlighting South African Police Service (SAPS) communicator, Bambo Athlenda Mathe’s Bloem radio roots. The spirit of the post underscored the far-reaching, cross-sectoral impact of Bloem radio, calling for the celebration of its legacy.
Upfront, I should say that this is not an exhaustive piece that has everyone’s cousin who once volunteered on campus radio. If anything, it’s a conversation starter, and all of us are invited to it. Again, it calls to memory the crop of presenters who have hung their headphones, recognising their impact in shaping the soundscape of central South Africa.
These, among others, include Motsamai ‘TysonFREE’ Molemela, former presenter and manager at Kovsie FM. When I auditioned to kickstart my own radio career many years ago, it was TysonFREE who opened the door, which ultimately led to my headhunting by SABC News later to present and produce current affairs on Lesedi FM.
In 2013, regional commercial station, OFM, snatched TysonFREE from Kovsie FM to present its popular 19h00 – 22h00 music show. With his commanding take on culture and authentic resonance with local communities, he rewarded his listeners with freedom from the weight of the day. His exit from the station, and the airwaves, robbed us of the sound of our lives.
Radio head, Motlatsi ‘JayBee’ Makhalemele, who is currently producing OFM’s afternoon drive, stands out as another great acquisition by the station. For his unique approach to his role, JayBee has scooped a best content producer award for commercial radio at the Telkom Radio Awards. A product of Kovsie FM, he continues to showcase his flair on air as the host of OFM’s weekend music show, while developing new broadcasting talent at the University of the Free State.
Overall, OFM has demonstrated a sharp eye in identifying and hiring local talent, as seen by the trajectories of renowned broadcaster, Angie Khumalo, who moved to OFM from Kovsie FM, or deejay and promoter, Shaxe Khumalo (Motheo FM/Kovsie FM). To this day, new Black talent at the station continues to move into ‘the house that Shaxe built’.
To insert myself, Thembekile Mrototo put me on for my first radio interview as an analyst on his talk and current affairs show on Motheo FM, Face To Face. This show was so powerful that it brought high-ranking politicians and newsmakers to the level of the ordinary person, advocating for accountability, debate and public participation. Thembekile also read the news on the station’s Vodacom Morning Rush, delivering each bulletin like he was already living in his desired future. As hearts bled on 24 December 2013 when he read his last stories on Motheo FM, we all knew like Ace Magashule that ‘it’s just a matter of five years, comrades’ before he became a leader of the new school of broadcast journalism. I believe talk radio is next for him; 702 breakfast, if SAfm keeps slumbering.
Enter Maki Molapo! The thing about our local radio space is that we’d often know when a talent wasn’t going to be with us for long. Maki, at least to me and my circle, was one such case. On CUT FM’s breakfast show, anchored by Nkox the Leader, Maki’s delivery could make the most tragic news sound like an epic love story. For that and more, she was so dearly loved by the listenership that joy filled the air(waves) when she announced her breakthrough. She can be heard on talk radio station, 702, as a news anchor and writer, having joined Primedia just over five years ago.
Mawande ‘Mawandinoh’ Mateza is another CUT FM success story. First trained at Kovsie FM, Mawandinoh won many hearts during his stint at ‘my campus, my youth, my radio’. His crispy flow and wide exposure to sporting developments made him both exceptional and common. Mawandinoh is now on SABC News, dishing a sporty dinner weeknights.
Still on sportscasting excellence, adult contemporary commercial station, Algoa FM, recently announced former Kovsie FM and OFM sports presenter, Samphiwa ‘Sam’ Ludidi, as the new drive time presenter. This as the station moves to stake a claim of the home rush, following the departure of comedian, actor and presenter, Roland Gaspar, after eight years doing the show. The Drive with Sam Ludidi airs weekdays from 15h00 to 19h00, ushering audiences home from the day’s commitments, and easing them into the night. “It is an opportunity that I thoroughly look forward to immersing myself into,” Sam said at the time of the announcement, citing “new friendships, networks, and connections” as some of the things he’s most excited about.
By now, the pattern of bulletin readers rising to industry heights is becoming clearer, and I haven’t even mentioned award-winning Lesedi FM afternoon drive host, Lebo Maoela. Until early 2023, CUT FM listeners couldn’t wait for 15h00 just to hear Lebo’s contagious laugh during CUT FM’s afternoon drive show. It’s on the show that she first made a name for herself as a newsreader and later host. With unassuming demeanor, informed perspective and sense of humour, she has become a force to be reckoned with, winning the prestigious best afternoon drive presenter award across public broadcasting stations in less than five years of her arrival at the SABC.
Also upgrading to referring to seasoned presenters such as Twasa, Thuso Motaung and Ba2cada as ‘basebetsi-mmoho’ was presenter, performer and cultural activist, Mzwakhe ‘E Motsho Moratuwa’ Khachela. At the SABC, Khachela quickly separated himself as a super-sub, tackling heavy programmes like Thuso Motaung’s Makgulong A Matala as well as New Year’s Eve cross-over shows with his broad chest. Currently, he hosts the Bloem-headquartered station’s Saturday golden oldies music show and Sunday night spiritual offering. There’s no doubt that Khachela features prominently in the station’s future plans, with my prophecies placing him on Top 30 charts and the afternoon drive in the nearest future. Amen?
A year before Khachela and Lebo’s recruitment, former City Radio and Motheo FM presenter, Mannehileng Letuka, was the only new voice at Lesedi FM. Letuka co-hosts the station’s midmorning magazine show. At the SABC, she found former Motheo FM presenter, Dikeledi Mageseni, who had dumped the news department to co-present the afternoon drive show.
Other products of the Mangaung radio network at Lesedi FM include ex-Mosupatsela and Motheo FM deejay, Lerato Mpopo, and Sibongile Sonop, who was also shown the way by Mosupatsela.
Back on the commercial lane, the SABC’s cash cow, Metro FM, as well as youth stations, Y and 5, have also put their stamp of approval on Bloem radio. This year, Metro FM added former Kovsie FM and YFM jock, Supta, to its new signings, ending his more-than-a-decade stay with YFM. At Y, Supta explored different shows, crafting a solid identity as a multidimensional personality. His relocation to SABC Radio Park mirrored 5’s signing of Kovsie FM alumnus, Afrika ‘Smash’ Mdutyulwa, from Y, highlighting the market value of 051’s radio training. A smash hit at 5, Afrika turned night programming into something worth looking forward to after a long day.
In no time, big brands like Massive Music and, most recently, Big Brother came gunning for Mdutyulwa’s signature.
From the Garden Route where Sam Ludidi drives Algoa FM listeners along the soul-snatching landscape to Cape Town where we find Phil de Lange collecting radio awards as Smile 90.4 FM’s breakfast show producer, Bloem radio has always been in the chat. Undeniably, the space is a landmark of broadcasting excellence, feeding commercial and public good stations with raw voices. Whether in sports, news or music radio, the sacrifices each presenter has had to make – of sleeping at the station, and constantly replacing stolen jacks, and asking friends to send voice notes so that their graveyard shifts didn’t feel like an actual cemetery – were worth it.
Ace Moloi is a Jo’burg-based media, marketing and communications practitioner with interests in brand management, the performing arts, broadcasting, literature and related fields.
