Live your dream like Berks
“It does not matter how dumb people say you are; you can live your dream,” were the words of renowned former Talk Radio 702 presenter, John Berks.
The University of the Third Age (U3A) welcomed Berks and the author of What A Boykie, Robin Binckes, to All Souls Church on March 22.
Binckes explained how he and Berks originally met in 1971, but only really spoke four years later when meeting again in Hyde Park.
“John told me that he wanted to write his story, so I wrote What A Boykie, which is about him (Berks),” Binckes said.
According to Binckes, the book was written as Berks spoke on a weekly basis into a recorder and he used what he felt was relevant to the book.
Berks took to the stage, telling everyone that he was born in Krugersdorp and moved to Klerksdorp.
But he was not the most intelligent of people during his school years, and by standard eight, he was given a junior certificate and told to do something with his life that he enjoyed.
“I always loved listening to the announcements on the radio, especially cricket,” Berks said.
“But that was not the first job that I got.”
Instead, Berks worked at a factory in Rosettenville, but called the SABC regularly looking for someone to mentor him.
“Eventually, I joined the local Klerksdorp Record and I wrote for them,” Berks said.
“One day I attended a convention where I met the editor of the Germiston Advocate and he was looking for a sports writer, which I became.”
In 1964, after several auditions, Berks began working at the Lourenço Marques (LM radio station), which was based in Mozambique.
“After a few years, I wanted to join Springbok Radio; and eventually I started there.”
But Berks said his career took a major leap forward when he started working at the Radio Talk 702 breakfast show.
Berks kept on reminding the crowd that he was not intelligent at school, but nothing stopped him from reaching his dream to be a radio presenter.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/benoni-city-times/289616/park-remains-closed/
Follow us on these platforms:
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp: 079 431 1217
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za
