Percy Raditladi is 2015 BOCRA Icon
WeekendLife
Icon of Note, Percy Raditladi
When you think of Yarona Fm one name comes to the mind – former Station Manager and the mastermind behind the first private radio station in Botswana which went on air for the very first time on 22nd August 1999 at 1600 hrs.
This is none other than Percy Raditladi, the man who sacrificed his university education in Cape Town at the age of 24 to return home to set up Yarona Fm despite the mist and huddles that took a crack at his dream; he remained committed and focused even beyond frontiers.
Over the past weekend Percy Raditladi was awarded the 2015 Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) Icon of the Year Award at the Yarona FM Music Awards held at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC). WeekendLife caught up with him to unearth the nerve stretching narrative of the story behind Yarona Fm, his future dreams of radio and what he is currently doing.
The 41 year old Raditladi is always a busy man; when this reporter arrived at his office adjust to Game City roundabout he was standing at his desk at Verimark with a Cellphone in his hand and an air- con remote control on the other hand looking all engaged. We sat and he started to tell of a story that finally crafted his dream. When he talks he expresses his emotions and speaks with great enthusiasm.
Believe it or not, he still has the copy of the newspaper which he described as having changed his life, The Midweek Sun dated 15th April 1998 carrying an advert calling for purchase of tender documents for FM commercial broadcasting services. Through his best friend Peter Kgosiemang he managed to buy the documents at the amount of P 500, 00 at the then Botswana Telecommunications Authority (BTA). At the time he was at university in Cape Town when he decided to quit school upon receiving the documents and took all his savings to start up the consortium.
One of the tender requirements was to have a technical partner in someone who is experienced and practising so Percy approached Arn Allingham, a radio expert, to help him with a proposal and paid R 1, 500. He then approached the only Motswana to have contracted to Y- Fm by then and willing to be the technical partner Thato Sikwane aka DJ Fresh. They talked and met up with DJ Fresh at Soweto in Yeoville who introduced him to Dirk Hartford another radio expert who started Y-Fm radio station in South Africa.
The tender documents required Motswana to be the major shareholder thus Dirk agreed to assemble a foreign stake in the consortium to a maximum of 49% shares; besides the newspaper again this is a letter that changed his life. He comes home but he does not have money nor place to stay in Gaborone, thus he opted to visit his mother who was a teacher by then in Palapye and she gave her P10, 000 to rent a house in Mogoditshane and start the consortium.
He was eventually shortlisted and later won the tender and proposed the name Yarona Fm which was then registered on his birthday. He says to him there are three critical months May, August and December. Anything bad or good has to happen during these months. One is his birthday, he got licensed in one of these months and registered again during these months. He got licensed on 17th May 1999. He tells of a story when the banks refused to finance him because he does not have a 3 million pula guarantee. At South Africa the Union Alliance Media Company which was listed in the South African Stock Exchange (SASE) bought Y- FM and Anthony Glass from the same company issued a guarantee to Nedbank who also issued a back-to-back guarantee to Barclays Bank. He was guaranteed and issued a licence.
On the 22nd August 1999 at 1600 hours they went live on air for the very first time becoming the first private radio station in Botswana. He ran the station without even a salary until he decided to quit in 2002 and handing over the ropes to Dumi Lopang to carry on as he persuaded other interests.
In the same year the station was awarded a national licence to broadcast countrywide. This to him was a major milestone and biggest achievement of all times.
He recalls that through Yarona FM he was able to buy himself a house and the Verimark franchise which he is currently managing. His biggest dream is to see the station grow to greater heights and transform to digital broadcasting. Early this year, January 15th 2015 Percy was interviewed on BBC Africa and shared the same sentiments of having started the first private national radio station in Botswana. He says the award itself does not belong to him or Yarona FM, it belongs to everyone who excels in their own space.
He says sooner or later broadcasting is going to change; the old or traditional way of radio is catching up with time.
WeekendLife
BOTSWANA TO HOST MISS WORLD 2026
Even though Botswana has over the years been performing extremely poorly at the Miss World competition, the country has confirmed that it will be hosting the beauty festival in 2026. Initially, the country was to host Miss World next year, something it failed to confirm before deadline. Director at Miss Botswana, Benjamin Raletsatsi, says Botswana will be ready then to host all participants. Miss Botswana Top 25 finalists left the boot camp yesterday. Quite shocking though, Miss Botswana team is still failing basics as responding to media inquiries on time yet it is dangerously hoping to host an event of high status
WeekendLife
DJ Sway ‘saved’ the YAMAs
DJ Sway, the daring and ambitious on-air presenter of Yarona FM, played a crucial role in saving the radio station’s music awards, known as the YAMAs. The event was initially dry and disorganized, but DJ Sway, who co-hosted with Pearl Thusi, injected life into the show. However, things took a turn for the worse when Pearl Thusi abruptly left the stage, leaving DJ Sway to carry on alone. Despite the unexpected setback, DJ Sway rose to the occasion and captivated the audience, effectively putting an end to the drama caused by Pearl Thusi.
In an exclusive interview after the YAMAs, DJ Sway revealed the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded during the event. He acknowledged the script editors, Phalana and Hope, who worked tirelessly to reedit the script and adapt it to a one-host format. Despite the last-minute changes, DJ Sway remained composed and focused, thanks to the support of his colleagues, such as Owen Rampha, Katlego Rakola, Tshepang Motsisi (DJ Easy), and LB.
When asked about his initial reaction to the unexpected turn of events, DJ Sway admitted to feeling saddened by how things ended. However, he credited Pearl Thusi for giving him a much-needed confidence boost during his moment of doubt. She reminded him that he was destined for greatness and that he didn’t need big stars to succeed. With her words of encouragement, DJ Sway regained his composure and approached the rest of the show with the same professionalism and charisma he displays on the radio.
To overcome the challenges he faced, DJ Sway relied on his radio skills and calm personality. He engaged with the audience as if he were speaking to a single person, pointing out individuals in the crowd to create a more intimate connection. He also expressed gratitude for his backstage team, who provided support and ensured the smooth running of the show.
DJ Sway expressed satisfaction in being seen as the saving grace of the YAMAs. He believed that he fulfilled his role as a host and brought joy to the Yarona FM board, his family, and his fans. Despite his success, DJ Sway’s journey has not been without hardships. He has experienced the loss of his mother and sister, which has left a lasting impact on him. While he continues to grieve, he seeks solace in therapy sessions and relies on his father for emotional support.
DJ Sway’s dedication to his craft and ability to overcome adversity make him a remarkable figure in the radio industry. His vibrant personality and deep knowledge of music have made him a perfect fit for Yarona FM. Despite the challenges he has faced, DJ Sway remains determined to make a positive impact and bring joy to his listeners. With his talent and resilience, there is no doubt that DJ Sway will continue to thrive in his career and leave a lasting legacy in the world of radio.
WeekendLife
Chef Gustos walk of shame
Chef Gustos, the renowned hitmaker, recently experienced what can only be described as a walk of shame at the 8th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs). Despite being nominated a whopping seven times, he failed to secure a single win. Ouch!
The night was filled with surprises, drama, and controversy, but the biggest winner of the evening was Han C, who walked away with three awards, including Best Pop and Best Male Single for his hit song, “Sebinki.” Han C graciously announced that he would be donating P10,000 from his winnings to his fellow nominees, promoting a spirit of togetherness among artists. What a noble gesture!
Meanwhile, Chef Gustos found himself on the losing end of several categories, including People’s Choice Artist of the Year, which he had won in the past. He seemed unfazed by the loss, stating, “People know that ‘Away’ was big, but they won’t stop me.” It’s clear that Chef Gustos is determined to continue making music, regardless of the awards he receives.
However, he did express his frustration with the outcome, suggesting that the awards may be corrupt. He declined to comment further, citing the need to protect his brand and maintain good relationships with corporate clients. It’s understandable that he wants to avoid any potential damage to his future prospects.
In fact, Chef Gustos went so far as to request that Yarona FM not nominate him for future YAMAs. It seems he wants to distance himself from the disappointment and focus on his music without the pressure of awards. Perhaps this decision will allow him to create freely and without the burden of expectations.
While Chef Gustos may have experienced a walk of shame at the YAMAs, it’s important to remember that awards do not define an artist’s talent or success. His fans still appreciate his music, and he continues to have gigs with corporate clients. So, despite the disappointment, Chef Gustos remains optimistic about his future in the industry.
In the end, the YAMAs may have been a letdown for Chef Gustos, but he’s determined to keep moving forward. He won’t let a lack of awards dampen his spirits or hinder his creativity. And who knows, maybe next time he’ll come back stronger and prove that he’s deserving of recognition. After all, the true measure of an artist’s success lies in the hearts of their fans, not in shiny trophies.