Iman Rappetti: a different perspective

The award-winning journalist was recently announced as the new host of Power FM’s popular Power Talk slot, following Eusebius McKaiser’s sudden departure from the station.

“I’ve done some work with Power FM before, so when this opportunity came I took it,” said Rappetti.

“I love the fact that Power FM is focused on transformative talk and creating constructive dialogue among its listeners.”

Earlier this year, Rapetti hosted a part of the Power Talk’s Women’s Day celebration and the response was so great listeners asked her to come back.

“Iman has the natural ability to make people feel comfortable,” said Power Talk’s producer Denise Rapitsi. “She has a warm spirit and the listeners can hear it in her voice.”

As one of the radio personalities who helped launch the Power station, McKaiser’s show was among the most popular – engaging with listeners about the country’s hardest-hitting topics.

MOVING ON. Eusebius McKaiser was among the radio hosts who helped launched Power FM. Picture: Gallo Images

McKaiser shocked his fans when he left the station because of “contractual disagreements”.

Rumours were rife he was starting to act like a diva by making unreasonable demands to management.

Speaking on whether she felt intimidated by McKaiser’s reputation on the show, Rappetti said: “Saying I am intimidated would imply there is some kind of competition – and that is not the case. Eusebius brought something unique to the show and I will bring something different too. I look forward to building on the foundation Eusebius has laid.”

The who’s who of Power FM

• Iman Rappetti is also the co-anchor of the eNCA news bulletin (DStv channel 403)
• Power FM was launched on June 2013 and is funded by the National Empowerment Fund
• Author and strategist Victor Kgomoeswana has also joined the radio station.

On the kind of listener she hoped the show would attract, Rappetti said: “I want to invite all South Africans to come on to the show. We have so many different people in this country and I think we all have something meaningful to contribute.”

But Rappetti was not naive about the challenges that came with being the host of a radio show. “Radio is different from TV. As much as I want to encourage dialogue, it’s also important to keep perspective and sometimes be a mediator.”

Since Power FM was launched just over a year ago, the station has had its fair share of trouble. In just a matter of months the station lost reputable journalists, presenters and programmers, including Asanda Magaqa and Siki Mgadabeli.

In June this year, the head of the radio station, Given Mkhari, slammed reports that Power FM was experiencing financial troubles and was for sale.

Info:

• Power FM is on radio frequency 98.7 FM
• Listen to Power Talk on weekdays between 9am and midday