Meet Rise FM’s Shaun Lukhele

This week Mpumalanga News gives readers a closer look at Rise FM presenter, Shaun Lukhele.

Why did you choose to become a radio presenter?

TV was my first love. Dating back to 2007, I was a guest presenter on SABC 1’s YoTV. That’s when I fell in love with the entertainment industry.

In 2010 I started listening to many radio stations across the country and realised what a powerful, yet personal medium radio is. People listen to it without realising sometimes, and which other medium exists in cars other than radio. It reaches even the most rural areas.

People wake up in the morning and switch on the radio, to hear the weather forecasts, the latest news, and their favourite jams. That alone shows the impact radio has in our developing communities. And in a nutshell, that is why I got into radio.

You come from Witbank/Emalahleni – aren’t you missing your family after the move to Mbombela?

Of course I do. I miss my grandma and mother tons. But luckily, I speak to both of them on a regular basis and ensure that I travel to eMalahleni almost every end of the month just to see how my two favourite ladies in the world are doing.

What motivates you?

A lot of things. Besides the money … LOL! I get motivated by the fact that I have people that look up to me, I have two of my baby cousins who truly look up to me.

Their friends would come over to their house and they’d tell them how awesome of a ‘brother’ I am, how they always wake up at 3am to listen to my show even though they have school on that particular day.

I feel that I have a role to play in their lives, a duty to teach how persistence could play a vital part towards success.

New slot, New car…what else is new?

New opportunities … the new slot that I am currently doing – requires a whole lot of research. With all the information that I come across every morning, I get to learn about the world around me, I get to learn about a whole lot of things that I previously had little idea about. This ultimately opens me up to a brand new world.

Have you given your car a name yet?

Now that you’ve asked that question … I will have to think about a proper name for my car. It being the first, I might just name it Blessing. J

How are you finding your new slot different to the weekend 18h00 to 21h00 slot you used to do on RISE fm, especially the waking up?

I find the new slot a good challenge … luckily so far, the waking up has not been an issue. My body automatically wakes itself up when it’s time to come to work.

Who are the people you look up to in the industry?

I look for different qualities in different people. If I truly believe you bring some sort of value into my life which could enrich my career, I truly look up to you.

But to name someone who has had a huge impact in my career is my boss and RISE fm Programme Manager, Tony Murrell.

He has groomed me from the start, from when I knew nothing about radio. I’m sure he’ll be happy to know that the endless minutes we spend in his office listening to my show everyday pays off some way or the other in my development as a broadcaster.

Shaun is known to be an IT geek, true or false?

That’s very true, I’m fascinated by computers. Having said that, I studied Information Technology at the Tshwane University of Technology in eMalahleni.

We always see you with a smile, but what really gets you hot under the collar?

Inconsistency … I really dislike people that are not consistent. If you’re going to treat me a certain way on a particular day I expect you to treat me the same way the next day.

10. Are you in love with anyone?

Yes I am *blushes*
Fame or Fortune?
That is pretty obvious. I’d rather have fortune than be famous. Fame can end in a matter of a second. (Well, not really, but you get my point).