They have been broadcasting for over two decades and have become one of the most distinguished radio stations in the country.
To mark the milestone, Kaya 959 hosted the concert dubbed “25 On the Air” at DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg where they hosted the station's heavyweights and listeners both old and new.
Presenters Dineo Ranaka, DJ Keyez, Sol Phenduka, and MaBlerh share their memorable moments with Drum since working for Kaya 959.
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SOL PHENDUKA
He has been on air for more than two months as co-host of the breakfast show with Dineo Ranaka.
The duo received much criticism for their on-air chemistry when they started out, but Sol says things have started to run smooth, and “energies are gelling”.
“Working at Kaya 959 has been amazing,” he says.
“The show is gelling, and the energies are clicking. It’s just been so much fun, waking up every day, especially the first few weeks are under our belt. Those weeks were critical, getting used to waking up early again and working with new people and new energies. We are still working on the chemistry and now that is pretty much the only admin of a new show and it's almost out of the way,” he says.
“Now I wake up energised to come and do what I love doing. The thing with the radio is you can feel it when listeners are enjoying the show. You can feel it when you have done a good show. It just gets better every day.”
Sol says working for Kaya 959 brings back fond childhood memories.
“The station has had transitions; I have always listened to the station mostly for the music. When I was a kid, it used to be a station that identified with a much older audience, now I’m that older audience,” he says “I’ve grown fonder of the station even before coming to work for it. I love the nostalgia of old hits and start to relate with the conversation.”
His favoruite moments on the show include interviewing Connie Ferguson, Nthati Moshesh and Somizi Mhlongo.
"We interviewed Sis Connie in the week of her husbands passing [a year later] and that was poetic because we learned that they also met the same month. There are just so many highlights. With Somizi he revealed he is not homosexual but pan sexual which is what everyone has always believed. So, all the guests get a chance to open up to us and have fun."
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DJ KEYEZ
Award-winning presenter and content producer Mthoko “DJ Keyez” Mkhathini has been broadcasting on Kaya 959 for just over five years.
“I joined Kaya in 2017, coming from a campus station,” he says.
“The five years have been amazing, enlightening and there’s been a lot of growth. I know a lot of people would love to see themselves where I am, so I am humbled to have lasted this long. It also took me hard work to get here.”
DJ Keyez says he got to experience the station as a listener before joining it as a presenter.
“My perception has always been fun and vibrant, and everyone takes what they do seriously,” he says.
“I got a chance to work with Georgie in the afternoon, and he allowed me to run with it. Listeners loved me from then, but it took me three to four years to get in.”
Being at Kaya for more than five years, he has lost count of the great experiences as there have been too many.
“Five years is a long time and we have had many amazing moments on and off air. At one point, we did a school shoe campaign with Thomas and Skhumba and Ndumiso and that was heartfelt. The listeners have also shown me love. On my birthday month, some listeners came to the station with a Man United jersey and a package because they know I’m a huge fan, that was amazing that they took notice of the things that I like."
MABLERH
Mthokozisi “MaBlerh” Cele says working at Kaya has been nothing but pleasant.
“I am working with very supportive people who want to see me grow and the listeners are a family unit.”
Before joining Kaya 959, MaBlerh says he thought Kaya was a station for mature people of a certain caliber.
“I thought it was a station you listen to when you are in your 50s until I started working at Kaya. I sat in meetings and listened to the new station positioning and realised that a lot of people are unaware of how vibrant we are. Our music is our hero. You are able to sit as a family and there will be something for everyone. I am glad that people are learning this and joining us daily. I have fun when doing my show and enjoy the conversations,” he says.
MaBlerh first joined The Weekend Update on Saturdays from 21h00 until midnight.
“My most memorable time was me joining Kaya and doing my first show. I remember how nervous I was, managing the desk. But the listeners were so welcoming, and I felt at home. They warmed up to me, I had the support and I was encouraged to make the show my own and it’s been beautiful ever since,” he says.
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DINEO RANAKA
Dineo says her two months at the station have truly been “amazing”.
“I’ve always perceived Kaya 959 to be a high quality, high brand, well organised institute, and that perception hasn’t changed,” she says.
“All experiences since I have started on the show have been unique and impactful, on and off air. There’s consistently a good dose of positivity to take away every time.”
