Written by Dohne Damons
Why do we celebrate World Radio Day and why do we care about it?
The first-ever radio broadcast reportedly happened on 13 May 1897.
Italian Inventor Guglielmo Marconi sent a successful broadcast across open waters. It simply communicated, “Can you hear me.”
Listen to our celebration of World Radio Day on Point of View here:
That was a long time ago and radio broadcasts have evolved to a fast-paced selective entertainment and newsworthy medium that is one of many.
As a low-cost medium, it is still a well-suited form of communication. During natural disasters, radio plays a key role in communicating important information. And in general, it offers the entertainment or news content we want to hear when it is needed.
With so much entertainment to turn to in 2023 is radio still relevant?
It is to 8.9 million Gauteng residents (BRC RAMS Nov ’21-Oct ‘22) who tune in to listen to the news, traffic updates, relevant light-hearted and funny content, and of course music. There is nothing better than hearing a throwback melody and the good-times feeling that comes along with it.
So why do we still celebrate it?
It is a medium that is not only loved by those who tune in to listen to their favourite show. It is also one that is celebrated by those who “make radio happen”.
Everyone who works at a radio station does so because of their love of radio. And even though there are so many who work behind the scenes, from the accountant to the researcher and support teams like technical and digital, it is the voices of the station that light up the faces of the listeners.
In celebration of World Radio Day, we share throwback pictures of three Kaya 959 presenters; DJ Keyez, Mablerh and Phemelo Motene.
DJ Keyez.
Radio Award winner DJ Keyes shares a picture from December 2017. The Ultimate Kaya 959 Top 30 show presenter has come a long way since his second stand in at the Gold Reef City studio.

MaBlerh
A musician and TV presenter and more importantly, your Weekend Update show host, MaBhlerh. Before the Weekend Update, Mablerh also hosted other shows like My Top 10 at 10. Watch more about MaBlerh here: Get to know Kaya 959 presenter MaBlerh

Phemelo Motene
Kaya 959’s powerhouse talk show presenter Phemelo Motene. She shares a picture from 2000 when she presented a show a lot different to Point of View, named Fanta Funky Town.

Kaya 959 presenters could share their talents on any other platform, but they choose to share them on radio. A medium we all grew up listening to in our homes or in the car while commuting.
So to answer the question, “Why do we celebrate radio?”
We celebrate radio simply for the love of it.



