Hosting a daytime show is a dream come true, says Umhlobo Wenene FM’s Sijik’ilanga co-host DJ Luckeez Mfowethu.
The Mdantsane radio DJ’s real name is Thembinkosi Matyolweni. His love for music came to the fore in 1998, when he dropped out of Walter Sisulu University (WSU) to help start the first isiXhosa community radio station for East London and Mdantsane. After spending months mobilising people, Imonti FM went on air for the first time in 2001.
In 2006 he moved to Umhlobo Wenene FM, where he hosted popular night-time show Abahlali Abangalali. The show saw him give many upcoming Eastern Cape artists a platform to showcase their talent.
He became a music compiler for the station in 2008 while doing the show Jaivah Mzantsi, as well as releasing his album High Grade, with hits such as Uthand’izinto Aysosono and Intweziphantsi. For the past eight years he has been the station’s producer and doing promos for them while hosting the Saturday show Umyezo we Reggae.
Matyolweni said he dreamed of hosting the most memorable show in a daytime slot on the station but was starting to lose hope of ever getting that slot.
“When it wasn’t happening – these past few years I thought maybe Abahlali Abangalali was that show for me. When I was informed about the changes a week before we started, I asked myself ‘are you ready for this?’ and the answer was no.
“I couldn’t sleep because I didn’t feel I had what it takes,” he said.
Almost a month into co-hosting the new show, Matyolweni says he could not have asked for a better co-host than Siphiwo ‘Spitch’ Nzawumbi.
“Working with a team is great. We have so much fun in the studio. Spitch catches my jokes even before I am done making them and the energy is great,” he said.
Matyolweni said a lot of preparation goes into each show.
“One must read and be well informed about what’s happening every day. Radio exposes you when you are clueless about what’s happening. I don’t sleep because I want to keep myself informed.”
Matyolweni said he was humbled to see that his move to Sijik’ilanga was not only celebrated by those close to him but that listeners were also overjoyed.
“The listeners have been following my career and they know my contribution to the station. It’s clear they have been wanting this for me as much as I have.
“I am humbled by the support they have been showing me,” he said.
He has since stopped hosting the Saturday show.
Matyolweni said together with Nzawumbi, they would continue to come up with inspiring content and keep the masses entertained. “My prayer is that we can continue doing this show for as long as we can. I have never worked with a producer before – I have always produced my own shows. It feels great to work with a team,” he said.
Catch Matyolweni and Nzawumbi every weekday from 1pm on Umhlobo Wenene FM. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
DJ Luckeez on a high with ‘Sijik’ilanga’ slot
The Mdantsane radio DJ’s real name is Thembinkosi Matyolweni. His love for music came to the fore in 1998, when he dropped out of Walter Sisulu University (WSU) to help start the first isiXhosa community radio station for East London and Mdantsane. After spending months mobilising people, Imonti FM went on air for the first time in 2001.
In 2006 he moved to Umhlobo Wenene FM, where he hosted popular night-time show Abahlali Abangalali. The show saw him give many upcoming Eastern Cape artists a platform to showcase their talent.
He became a music compiler for the station in 2008 while doing the show Jaivah Mzantsi, as well as releasing his album High Grade, with hits such as Uthand’izinto Aysosono and Intweziphantsi. For the past eight years he has been the station’s producer and doing promos for them while hosting the Saturday show Umyezo we Reggae.
Matyolweni said he dreamed of hosting the most memorable show in a daytime slot on the station but was starting to lose hope of ever getting that slot.
“When it wasn’t happening – these past few years I thought maybe Abahlali Abangalali was that show for me. When I was informed about the changes a week before we started, I asked myself ‘are you ready for this?’ and the answer was no.
“I couldn’t sleep because I didn’t feel I had what it takes,” he said.
Almost a month into co-hosting the new show, Matyolweni says he could not have asked for a better co-host than Siphiwo ‘Spitch’ Nzawumbi.
“Working with a team is great. We have so much fun in the studio. Spitch catches my jokes even before I am done making them and the energy is great,” he said.
Matyolweni said a lot of preparation goes into each show.
“One must read and be well informed about what’s happening every day. Radio exposes you when you are clueless about what’s happening. I don’t sleep because I want to keep myself informed.”
Matyolweni said he was humbled to see that his move to Sijik’ilanga was not only celebrated by those close to him but that listeners were also overjoyed.
“The listeners have been following my career and they know my contribution to the station. It’s clear they have been wanting this for me as much as I have.
“I am humbled by the support they have been showing me,” he said.
He has since stopped hosting the Saturday show.
Matyolweni said together with Nzawumbi, they would continue to come up with inspiring content and keep the masses entertained. “My prayer is that we can continue doing this show for as long as we can. I have never worked with a producer before – I have always produced my own shows. It feels great to work with a team,” he said.
Catch Matyolweni and Nzawumbi every weekday from 1pm on Umhlobo Wenene FM. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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