Living it up in the big league

The famous line “started from the bottom now we’re here” is one that would best describe Shaun Lukhele’s journey on the airwaves. Having started at the former MPowerFM, ending up at Jacaranda FM is obviously a giant step for Lukhele.
“It was a huge deal for me as it was my first-ever radio experience, well, commercial radio experience to be precise. I still pride myself in it till this day. Because it built me as a radio broadcaster in the industry and much of who I am today and the personality I portray on the airwaves is due to that experience I got from MPower,” said Shaun.
This ecstatic 22-year-old was born in eMalahleni and moved to Mbombela when the station was taken over by Times Media Group and renamed it Rise FM. According to him, this was a blissful experience and the best about it all was moving to Mbombela.
“I was there for an entire year, having done various shows ranging from weekends 18:00 to 02:00 to weekdays 03:00 to 06:00. It was a great time; I loved every moment of it! It’s great how work just becomes a breeze when you have colleagues that are caring and just there for you when you need them.

“I’ve never experienced the backstabbing that people always refer to in radio or the entertainment industry. Rise FM Staff was like a family, I really appreciated the times we spent together, outside work too. Mbombela had become home to me, the friendliness of the people was just beautiful. I know for sure that it will always be my home,” he added.
“My career blossomed in 2015 when I was scooped up by South Africa’s biggest independent commercial radio station, Jacaranda FM.

“It all happened really fast, in a blink of an eye I found myself in Johannesburg. It has been a roller-coaster ride, taking into account how much bigger the station. My social profile has gained a lot more followers. I also feel like I’m now doing real radio, purely because of the training that one undergoes at the station, before being placed on air.”
For the aspiring radio personalities starting out, or those who hope to break through the bigger platforms, like Shaun did, he reckons one should just have determination and a thick skin.
“Every show is never easy because as entertainers, we put so much of ourselves out there that it becomes so easy for a normal person to judge and criticise. Having dealt with that for the past six years, I can safely say I’m now unfazed. Not everybody will like what you do, just smile and wave if they don’t.
“That’s what keeps me going!”
You can catch Lukhele live on Jacaranda FM on Saturdays 03:00 to 06:00 and on Sundays from 20:00 to 00:00 You can  also follow him on social media, Shaun Lukhele – Facebook and Twitter.