Radio Today broadcaster Selwyn Klass was beyond delighted when one of Queen Elizabeth’s ladies-in-waiting wrote to thank him for a diamond jubilee gift. Speaking about how this came to pass, station manager James Kinloch said that one of the station’s most popular programmes had been a special broadcast Klass put together to celebrate the British Queen’s diamond jubilee.
“Klass’ show, Moments in time, is very popular with listeners, and [the jubilee broadcast] was a huge hit with listeners,” he said.
“I’m a staunch monarchist, not a masochist, and I felt the jubilee was an auspicious occasion,” said Klass. To create a programme worthy of the occasion, Kinloch tracked down an audio recording of the Queen’s speech of intent, given in South Africa on her 21st birthday.
“We also found a record of the oath-taking and the restructuring of Westminster Abbey for the coronation. We felt we were enlivening history,” said Klass. “The programme was so popular, we repeated it four times. I said to Kinloch, ‘Why not send it to the palace?'”
Kinloch agreed, and within days, a CD of the broadcast, decorated with pictures of the jubilee barge, logo and Klass, was mailed to Buckingham Palace. Weeks went by, and one day, Klass received a phonecall from Kinloch. “He told me we had royal mail. I was thrilled to receive acknowledgement!” said Klass.
In recognition of the popularity of the broadcast and the positive royal response, Kinloch presented Klass with a memento at a gathering attended by station employees and friends.
Kinloch had the station’s letter to the palace, the thank you note, a copy of the CD and its packaging, and a jubilee brochure framed for Klass.
The radio presenter thanked Kinloch and his producer Jacky Kanapi for their support of his show.
“This has given me a lot of pleasure, and has been a wonderful reminder that South Africa is a vital cog in the history of right royal Great Britain,” said Klass. Listen to Klass’ Moments in time on Radio Today, 1485 AM or DsTV channel 869, on Tuesdays at 11.15am and Saturdays at 9pm.
