Radio heals wounds for passionate KaBokweni presenter
Radio helped Mtjepeza get through two life-threatening incidents.
From recording radio shows on cassettes as a young boy to being the voice that starts many people’s mornings.
Sipho Shongwe (33), popularly known as Mtjepeza, is a radio presenter, born and raised in KaBokweni, and has admirable resilience.
His love of radio has kept him going despite challenges, such as surviving two life-threatening incidents.
“When I was 11, I was hit by a car. I was hospitalised for six months, and during that time, I was in ICU for 10 days. The second incident was in 2022 when I tried to stop a physical fight and ended up with a broken leg,” he said.
He explained that he loved radio presenting from an early age, and in Grade Four he would often record on cassettes, pretending he was on radio shows.
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He attended primary school at Sinzawonye and Bongamlanbo, and went on to Sabane Secondary School. After matric, he worked in construction.
His journey in radio officially kicked off in 2016 when he joined Ubuthebe FM, an online radio station, where he worked on midday and sports shows. “I wanted to do radio with all of my heart, but when I was there for the first time, I was shaking. At first I was limited in terms of delivering content. My mentor pushed me to do good, even in times when I doubted myself and wanted to quit. I became so good I ended up mentoring new colleagues,” Mtjepeza said.
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The National Community Radio Forum provided classes during which Mtjepeza studied media. “I learnt all the basics there, including how to work well with others. I graduated in 2017 as a radio presenter, content producer and producer.”
In 2021, he joined Lokuhle FM, where he hosted several shows, including a breakfast and drive show. He moved to Kradio FM in 2022, and 2025 will mark his third year at that station.
“I want to mentor the new generation who want to see themselves on this platform, and share my knowledge with them,” he said.
