When you put passion and determination together, you are sure to enjoy the sweet fruits at the end of it all.
This is one of many mottos that AbaQulusi Community Radio (ACR) station founder Mabhuki Nkosi lives by.
Coming from an engineering and entertainment background, Nkosi’s love for radio was inspired by his involvement in the establishment of Jozi FM in Dube, Soweto, many years ago.
After spending some years in Gauteng, Nkosi decided to come back home to Vryheid, where he pursued his newfound love of radio and decided it was time he put his experience from the establishment of Jozi FM into practice in his hometown.
Even though it was not an easy road, Nkosi had the ‘drive’ needed to ensure that his dream became a reality. “I had to push myself really hard, to the point that some people thought I was losing my mind,” he laughs. In 2013, he registered ACR as an NPO with the Department of Social Development and then moved towards acquiring a broadcasting licence from ICASA. This was successful in 2015. Then, in 2016, he acquired a spectrum licence which gave ACR 90.7 frequency.
The station eventually went live on air in May this year and it is gradually improving all the time.
“It was not an easy journey, but the vision was to bring about positive change in people’s lives. The station promotes humanness, hence our slogan is ‘Ubuntumoya’, which is humanity in spirit form,” said Nkosi.
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He said the key point that encouraged him was self-understanding with a unity of spirit, soul and then body, “These are components that drive one to remain resilient.”
“I kept going because I knew what was driving me to bring this station to life. I stopped using public transport because I did not have enough money and I needed to save every little cent I had to make sure everything was in place for this station to be a success. I would walk to town and a lot of people said there was something wrong with me or that maybe I was going crazy, but that did not discourage me. I was not looking into the now, but into the future.
“All is in the mind. Follow your dream and believe in yourself, even when no one else does. Feel the joy within and that will be enough to reach your breakthrough. Ensure there is co-ordination in your brain and then you will find that things get easier,” added Nkosi. Nkosi is also a music fanatic, a jazz musician and has a jazz bank. He also has experience with theatrical acting, dance and singing, as well as stage management. He participated in Arts Alive, which normally takes place in September in Jo’burg.
He has imparted his arts skills to children in rural areas, where he conducted workshops in arts and culture.
Besides his qualification in Electronics Engineering, he also studied Theology and plans to one day establish his own church.
“I am a priest as well, even though I do not have my own church. I belong to Vryheid Grace House Church, but maybe as a final stage of my life, I will establish my own church. As we are moving into a technology-driven society; my church will not be a physical structure. I will use technology for this,” he added.
ACR coverage is around Bhekuzulu, Vryheid, eMondlo, Paulpietersburg and Nquthu, with 60% isiZulu content, 30% English and 10% Afrikaans, with 60% local music, 35% national music and 20% international music.
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