Running a radio station with no experience, would seem to be a daunting task, but Nkomazi FM manager, Makhosetive Zulu, makes it seem as easy as a hot knife cutting through butter.
This dynamic young man has given the phrase, “Where there is love, there’s a way”, a whole new meaning.
“When something is a calling, it becomes very hard to ignore. I tried extinguishing this burning flame, until I had no choice but to give in. It took me a while but I’m glad I heeded to that call. It paid off really well,” said Zulu.
His love of radio started when he grew up listening to Ligwalagwala FM, formerly known as Radio Swazi.
“Their current-affairs show spearheaded the whole flame, presenters such as Roy Makwakwa fuelled my passion and I never looked back since. My move to Johannesburg exposed me to a variety of other stations such as Y FM and 5FM. I knew I had to do something.”
It evidently hasn’t been a smooth journey, with the loss of four of his partners in an accident on the verge of launching the station in 2012.
“I’d be lying if I were to say it was easy. I wanted to give up. I was weary and had questions no one could answer. I told myself that was it.
That accident did not only kill my colleagues, it killed everything. I still thank God for my support structure. The board literally pushed me in the right direction and refused when I wanted to hand over the duties to someone else. My partner was also there for me, praying with me and keeping it together.”
“I had to get up and dust myself off, get back on track. I did it for the memory and legacy of the people who were not only colleagues to me, but friends.
I had to make them proud of the work we had started together, I couldn’t let it all crumble. So I got back on the saddle and kept riding,” he added.
As if losing his friends was not enough, Zulu also lost both his parents just before the launch.
“They were my greatest supporters, they never pushed me to find a day job after school, and they told me to chase after my dreams. It wounded me to launch the station last year without them, they would be so proud of me and of what I have achieved. But I believe it is all God’s doing and I cannot go against His will.”
Although the station is Nkomazi’s pride and seems to be doing well for itself, Zulu says he believes it would be even better if his late colleagues were still around.
“I’ll never be okay with the fact that they are gone, we would be two if not three times better off with them.”
This 30-year-old says even though his life is hectic, he still finds time for his partner and children.
“I value family, and I believe that it is the foundation of everything one does. Running a station means you will not have time to do other things, but one has to make the time and that’s when priorities are set.
What good is success when you have no one to celebrate it with?” His life almost seems unreal to others, because he makes it seem easy to work hard and play hard.
“I love travelling and I make sure to explore our beautiful country whenever possible. I went to Steenbok today, I didn’t know there was a place called Brink.
It’s the little things that keep my boat afloat. I would have to say that Cape Town remains my favourite holiday destination. It seems and feels like a different country altogether. The beauty of that place is just unfathomable, I love it.”
Known to many of his friends as Khosi, Zulu says his inspiration comes from seeing and making other people happy.
“There are so many things we have done as the station that we don’t normally boast about. We recently built a house for a woman who lived with 13 children in one room. When she said, ‘Ngiyabonga mfana wami,’ I wanted to cry, it was heart-warming and satisfying.”
Weighing in on the status of radio in the province, this manager says he doesn’t feel the platform is used to its capacity. “I dream of the day when Mpumalanga radio personalities would stop selling themselves short and start using the platform provided.
We need to see more young people taking advantage of opportunities at hand.
“A better example would be the popular DJ of Mgobodzi who is now recognised internationally, known to many as DJ Euphonic. We need more young people like him, and he has proved that it is indeed possible.”
Zulu says management has massive plans for the station.
This is only the beginning. You can keep tabs on Makhosetive and Nkomazi FM on Facebook, Nkomazi FM and Swati Zulu, Twitter, @Nkomazi_FM, and @Zuluboy_ti, and Instagram, Swati Zulu. You can also logon to Nkomazifm.com to stream
shows live.
