At the age of 10, the shy, softspoken diva Pretty Dibakoane of KaBokweni was already loving and watching Mabuza’s fierce show. “I loved her show.
I felt like she was talking to me, selling me this beautiful dream of a better country, a country that was saying, ‘It’s okay, black child, you may Joseph Ntimba kaMasiah The diva, Pretty D. at school, where she was part of the debating society, took part in public speaking symposiums and was active in the drama group that was directed and managed by former Generations actor and her school teacher at Khutsalani Secondary School, Jabulani Masilela.
“I was selected to represent our school on the youth radio show, Kugiya Labasha, which used to air on Saturdays on Ligwalagwala FM between 09:00 and 10:00. Upon meeting the late Babe Alfred ‘Jumbo Jet’ Sambo, who introduced me to Tony du Toit, who was Ligwalagwala FM programmes manager at the time, I was offered an opportunity to train for radio presenting.
I was 16,” she recalled, Since then Pretty D has not looked back. She is now presenting the Evenings with Pretty D show from 20:00 to 23:00 on weekdays on Rise FM after spending almost 16 years at Ligwalagwala FM, honing and polishing her skills. “Radio is an amazing world that opens doors far beyond your imagination. It’s a great hobby that pays.
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It forces one to live outside themselves and to learn to put the needs of the listener first. I imagined a radio platform that can help black people, especially the youth, find their identity.
I dug deep into our history as a country and realised that so much of our rich history was unknown to the born-frees and people my age,” she said. “The lack of knowledge of who were are and how we got to be where we are, was an integral part in helping us shape our future as a people. This saw my work focus more on nation-building, making the shows I presented to be resourceful and enlightening,” Pretty D explained.
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“I have grown so much spiritually, and I am more at peace now. I have been to the mountaintop and have seen the Promised Land. I am content with everything and grateful for the lessons. I still get scared before each show, but I know now that this is my God-given talent and all I have to do is just be!” she said.
“I am only getting started. I would love to be part of a production house. I am a great storyteller and love amazing stories of ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Watch this space,” she concluded.
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