LIMPOPO – Tshilidzi “DJ Chichi” Bulannga (25) from Mbilwi-Tshidahulu outside Thohoyandou is a University of Venda Community Radio (Univen FM) presenter, where she hosts the Lunch Talk Show every weekday from 12:00 to 15:00.
She says she has always had passion for media. She visited the then Radio Venda studios when she was 10 years old where she met her first radio presenter. She immediately fell in love with radio and started gathering information on how one can become a radio presenter.
She holds a diploma in media journalism and broadcasting, a certificate in film production from NYDA and Ashifashabba Production, and she is currently studying a communication degree through Unisa.
She joined Makhado FM in 2011, where she worked for four years until she went to further her dream at Univen FM.
“I am a die-hard fan of any music. I remember my primary and high school days when I used to save my pocket money to buy a stereo so I could listen to the radio stations. I started my radio career in 2010 at Turf FM hosting the Joy Ride show weekdays from 15:00 to 18:00. Later I was assigned to host the Graveyard programme from 00:00 till 03:00,” she says.
She says her goal is to manage her own commercial radio station.
Nothing is impossible and this motivates me. I grew up listening to the radio, and I have always wanted to be a presenter. I want to uplift the community by sharing insightful information with them. Radio is all about passion, if you just want to be famous you will never make it.
“I am happy because I get support from my family. However, my parents never wanted me to become a DJ. My dad wanted me to become a psychologist and my mother wanted me to be a nurse, but I had to follow my dreams. I told them I love radio and my dream will come true after getting the results for my first semester. They supported me through everything. I had to overcome challenges and failure. I still remember when my parents came to Turfloop just to listen to my show. It was a dream come true.”
She further says she is inspired by Makondelele Mbedzi who is currently a station manager at Makhado FM, and Mpho Nefale of Phalaphala FM.
“This journey needs someone who is dedicated because whatever you said, people tend to believe it as your own words without editing. People outside will start to view you as a celebrity when you are in this industry and you earn lot of respect,” she concludes.
