Kasie FM firmly entrenches its footprint

The station’s 36-year-old programme manager, Jabulani Xhasa, has, for the past 18 years, played a vital role in nurturing the budding community broadcaster which he has managed to grow into a formidable source of communication, information and entertainment for the community of Kathorus.

And, according to Xhasa, during its developmental rise, Kasie FM has managed to broadening its broadcasting network boundaries beyond its initially restricted confine of Vosloorus, Katlehong and Thokoza to further areas around its Kathorus origins.

Looking back, Xhasa described his role at Kasie FM as; “serving the community”.

He humbly refused to be elevated onto a social pedestal adding, “If we no longer serve our people, then we should not be here”.

Xhasa explained that he believes people are born with natural gifts and that his “natural gift” is to be a facilitator on various social platforms, radio being one of them.

“Hearing someone say; “We appreciate you!” Xhasa said has a positive impact on him as a public personality and a leader.

“Even when I am not in my greatest space, the minute I hear those words, I get up and do what I have to do,” he said.

The young likeable radio station administrator believes that growing Kasie FM to its current heights has fulfilled his lifetime ambition.

He regards his greatest achievement as being able to select and host two different high-profile entertainment personalities to appear as “guest” presenters on the station’s programmes.

He named popular fellow radio and television personality, JD Sbu, together with artist “Spikiri” as a few of the top local showbiz personalities he and his team can associate with the growth of Kasie FM.

Xhasa revealed his “soft-spot” by admitting that he gets easily “touched” by ordinary people who are involved in what they love and are able to make a living out it.

He attributed the success of Kasie FM to the ability of the management of the station to establish a strong content policy for its growing listenership.

“As a radio station – we have never faked our personality,” said Xhasa.

As part of the station’s “Breakfast Team” Xhasa, said the “team” is fully grounded on what is expected of it to drive the station’s morning programmes and set the pace for the day.

He added that even the station’s “news reader” – 26-year-old Valencia Sekhoela, is given a wider scope to expand and engage in other topics for as long as she does not divert from her primary role.

According to Valencia, the challenges she faces are resources such as finding the right people she can host and present on shows.

“Regardless of these challenges my passion for radio is what keeps me going,” said the news anchor, who started her career with the station as an “intern”.

“Later I received a call inviting me to the auditions for a “news anchor” and I think I did well, the next thing I was employed,” said Valencia.

Valencia said she is highly motivated by her colleagues who always make her put her best foot forward, especially when she is “on air”.

“We’ve built a firm comradeship which has resulted in an almost flawless working relationship,” she said.

At 34, Gabriel Mhlanga, popularly known as “DJ Mugabe” is the senior executive producer at the radio station.

He said his career path at Kasie FM was unplanned; his initial idea of a job was to get a slot once a week to showcase his talent. Seven years later, he is now part of the production team.

Although he did a course in radio programme production, he said he is proud that working at Kasie FM, has helped him master his craft in his new-found career.

Gabriel’s told Kathorus MAIL that he wishes to see more young people come to the station to learn about the production side of radio.

“Kasie FM has a platform that trains people, if you have a passion for radio you are free to come along and join us,” said Mhlanga.

Daniel Sihlangu (35) known as “Zero” is a sports presenter for the “breakfast rush” and is often linked-up with both Xhasa and “DJ Mugabe”.

“Zero” said he started with Kasie FM as a “freelancer” back in 2010, during the country’s hosting of the Fifa World Cup.

Almost seven years later, Sihlangu, said he still feels proud to be part of the Kasie FM team.

Tiisetso Tsotetsi, aged 26, is proud to say that she had always imagined herself behind a microphone, running her own show.

And her initial exposure to radio production saw her fall in love with what has since become part of her radio announcer’s life.

“I was captivated by what was happening in the radio studios and fell in love with everything all at once,” said the former content producer who started with the station in 2015.

“As a community radio station we need to speak the language of our people – we need to be the eyes and ears of our communities about what is happening around them,” said Tiisetso, flashing her trademark toothy smile.

She said she has always believed that the best news content for her programme can always be found in taxis and at hair salons.

The 26-year-old Tsotetsie said she loves her work but she doubts people actually understand just how what happens behind the scenes.

The Kasie FM team hopes to see more young talent coming to the studios to learn more about radio.