From listening to radio, to transcending the airwaves through digital radio. This is the fairy tale journey of Patrick Tsolo, a man whose life revolves around radio.
The power of radio has been overwhelming for the Bloemfontein-bred personality, too.
Since its development in the 1890s, the power of radio is illustrated in among creating employment opportunities for those with nice voices. Italian Guglielmo Marconi is credited for inventing and shaping radio to becoming the powerful medium of communication and educating. This recognition of the importance of radio is annually held on 13 February, known as World Radio Day.
Tsolo, affectionately known as Pat, has joined the queue to transcend beyond radio discovery and launch the Free State FM digital radio station – tapping into existing opportunities brought on by Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technology. He is the driving force ensuring the digital radio station rocks the airwaves.
Tsolo follows his own path is doing his own thing at the digital radio station, having left the community radio station space. He acts as the producer, music compiler, and presenter.
Tsolo provides syndicated shows, interviews a host of people, socialites, and entrepreneurs to politicians. The Sunday Soul Serenade, on Sundays is the popular show where soulful and timeless music by various singers is played. There is also the current affair coverage, characterised by in-depth discussions during the week.
Tsolo’s journey in radio broadcasting dates from his involvement with BBT Radio, the first-ever community radio station founded in Bloemfontein during the mid-1990s. Regrettably, the radio station was closed, owing to financial mismanagement inability, amidst unearthing exceptional talent in radio broadcasting.
Tsolo also contributed to the launch of another community radio station, the Motheo FM, which filled the void after BBT Radio shutdown. He plans on using this magic touch to garner a growing audience of the digital radio audience.
Tsolo said he developed a love for radio at an early age in the late 1970s, listening to eloquent personalities. Through the 1980s, more of such masters captured his imagination.
The legends include Tim Modise, Zimbabwean Tich Mataz (real name Tichafa Matambanadzo), and the late duo Thabang Samuel Rampoane and Olihile Lawrence Serasengwe. Rampoane, affectionately called Letona la Batjhaba, presented a youth programme called Tsa Batjha on Radio Sesotho, now Lesedi FM, while Serasengwe presented a mid-morning show on Radio Setswana, now Motsweding FM. Modise and Mataz, both had a stint with giant radio stations that include the now defunct Radio Bop, a commercial radio station in the former Bophuthatswana.
“Radio stimulates the theatre of my mind . . .simply stretches my imagination and tickles my passion for music fancy. These radio legends inspired me beyond any imagination,” said Tsolo.
Tsolo, who has a distinct voice tone and personal vibrancy, had his big break at Radio BBT, hosting the Morning Cruise from 06:00 to 09:00. His colleagues at BBT Radio include the likes of Lele “The Dark DJ” Sebeela, Aubrey “DJ Obrigado” Menong (both late), Lucky Qacha, Sello Nduna and GoitseModimo Seleka, who joined Lesedi FM and Motsweding FM, radio stations belonging to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
“I took the decision to explore digital broadcasting after I discovered community radio stations had infightings influenced by politicians. These fights are detrimental to the advancing and sustainability of community radio stations.
“At some community radio stations, the struggle is between board members and the management. This means there are parallel structures making the station unable to function to its optimum and the money-making strategy gets hampered because of those problems arising from prolonged infighting,” said Tsolo.
