“This was my home. I worked with some amazing colleagues,” said Botha, who joined 702 in 2015.
Veteran announcer Nong Botha said his “personal reasons” for leaving 702 were to recharge his batteries.
“I really want to reset, recharge and reflect,” Botha said. The Citizen.
On Thursday, the soft-spoken anchor released a statement announcing his departure from radio station 702 after nearly a decade, saying personal reasons led to the decision.
“This was my home. I worked with some great colleagues. It was nice to be a senior member and have younger announcers come in. Maybe a news anchor would come in, maybe a sports anchor would come in and I'd just warm them up… that's part of what I enjoyed about being a senior member of the station,” Botha said.
Her words were backed up by sports journalist Philasande Sikusaba, who wrote a post on X about how Botha helped him when he first started his radio show.
You're a legend! Just made my first radio appearance a lot easier. https://t.co/wjuRE2L9tK
— Firazande Siksaba (@psixaba) August 22, 2024
Memories of 702
Botha was hired by former 702 chief Feladi Gwangwa in 2015 and speaks fondly of his time at the station.
“Oh, I still remember the way people like Zolani Gwala welcomed me. I also remember the late Karima Brown enjoying the music and having some really great things to say. The late Eusebius McKaiser also wrote about hearing the show,” Botha said, recalling his late colleagues.
“But our listeners… especially with COVID-19, a lot of people are stuck at home, and they're reaching out to us, hearing from us from a musical perspective on our talk show, and keeping us hopeful.”
Through 702's partnership with the Joy of Jazz music festival, Botha had the opportunity to host on the Dinaledi Stage at the 2019 festival, which was also one of the highlights for her.
“And then, oh my gosh, I remember seeing my picture on the billboard,” she said of another of her highlights.
A radio station on the highway from the Vaal to Johannesburg had a billboard advertising her show. “As a girl born in Alexandra and raised in the Vaal, Evaton, it was good to see my name on a billboard in a big city,” she says with a chuckle.
The department has yet to announce her replacement, but the department offered some advice to the person yet to be appointed.
“Just be yourself. I've been myself and I'm grateful to be my authentic self on-air, execution-wise, sound-wise, sound curation-wise. And the great thing about radio right now is that listeners don't have to wait forever to connect with you, they can connect with you on your social media.”
“So whoever's running the show, be yourself and have fun. If you're not giving off a positive vibe, listeners will know right away!”
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Cool Aunt
Despite the benefits he brings as an inspirational contributor to the news world, talk shows can sometimes be too much for weekend listeners, and Botha's music show was something of a cathartic experience for viewers looking to unwind at the weekend.
“The fact that I was a part of music meant that I was cool,” she said with a laugh.
“When you go on a talk show that's really about serious issues and you're the music presenter and you connect with the audience, they know the minute you come on that you're going to make them dance and laugh… Be the cool aunt or cool uncle they look up to.”
I will miss you so much 🤍. It was so nice to hear your story and I hope your next path is bright and shining.
I always love your closing blessings. The Empress is leaving 🫡 https://t.co/EavX8yNEvU
— NtombiEnhle (@NtombiEnhle_) August 22, 2024
Many listeners have commented how much they will miss her.
“Oh, the listener reaction was… hmmm,” an emotional Botha said, trying to calm her emotions.
Sending you positive vibrations, Dinonza. Saturday and Sunday would not be the same without your healing voice. ❤️ Wishing you all the best in the future 🙏🏾
— #PresidenteYadiVarbz🏳️🌈 (@TeekayGoldfish) August 22, 2024
“It's so moving. The beauty of the country we live in is that yes, life has its challenges, but as someone coming from the music field, people really open up to me and I'm always able to be my true self,” she said.
“I put my emotions on display so it's emotional when I see all the people who followed me. Some are upset that I left, some are saying 'last show'. My last show was August 4th. But I just want to thank all my listeners…thank you for letting me into your cars and your homes.”
Oh my best friend would cry if she saw this because how could I start a new week without hearing the words “I wish you a friendship that nourishes your spirit”? https://t.co/IlclRLcHYk
— Nelisiwe (@NeliMsomi) August 22, 2024
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Bota's next step
Despite her decision to take a break, she has passions she wants to devote her time to, first and foremost is building a foundation, but not just any foundation.
“I want to set up a foundation for elders and young people in the radio world. [for] Radio elders, [it’s] Really looking after them and being grateful for their legacy. The challenges of the gig/creative economy are not just for musicians and actors, but for radio people as well. For the elders of radio, it's really, really tough.”
The foundation aims to provide flowers to these elderly people, who are often only recognised when they are on their deathbed, while they are still alive.
“For the young people, I want to do that because I want to be the radio mom that's there for them.”
As well as giving back to her first love, Botha also wants to try other forms of broadcasting.
“But I would also like to do TV,” she says. “I would also like to do lifestyle and music shows. I want to continue fighting for more South African jazz.” A book and podcast reflecting on her life are also on her bucket list.
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