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Monday, 20 April 2009 |
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Simphiwe Mdlalose
While studying for a B.Comm degree at University of Limpopo (Turfloop), he got involved in the founding of Radio Turf when it received its licence. After completion of his studies in 1995 Simphiwe Mdlalose painfully said goodbye to his beloved Radio Turf.
Because of his love for radio, Mdlalose, who lived in Gauteng, made a personal vow to return to Limpopo sometimes in the future to complete his unfinished radio business.
Thirteen years later the ambitious Mdlalose returned to Limpopo to head the province’s first commercial radio station, Capricorn FM. “It was a dream come true after more than a decade of thinking, visualising and planning my return to a province I fell in love with.
To return to Limpopo Province as CEO of Capricorn Fm, after my studies at Turf and my involvement with Radio Turf, was the realisation of a dream. I am fulfilled,” enthused Mdlalose.
Instead of looking for a job in the corporate sector as a B.Comm graduate, Mdlalose pursued his radio dream by working for an organisation called the Community Radio Station Forum. It is this work that entrenched him in the industry.
At the Forum Mdlalose worked with many emerging community radio stations in which he was the key man in assisting these stations to start their stations and to sustain them.
For four years he worked with over 70 stations and travelled widely in the country and abroad. Simphiwe’s major breakthrough came in 2001 when he and Given Mkhari founded the MSG group. The company has interests in various industries, particularly in the media industry.
It was through this company that Capricorn FM was to be born. “When ICASA issued a request for proposals for a commercial radio station in Limpopo, Mkhari and I decided to bid for the licence to operate in Limpopo. We were equally excited as it had always been on our plans. When we were announced as the successful bidders for Capricorn FM we were crazy and overwhelmed with emotion. I did not sleep that night,” reminisced the CEO of Capricorn FM.
The challenge for the new CEO was to put together a management team that would not only ensure that systems and structures were in place, but to get the new station to soar to great heights.
“It was not easy to put a winning team together. Shabba was difficult as he did not want to leave the bright lights of Gauteng; It took three days of prayer for Cyril Chetty to accept the job of Chief Operations Officer; Plucking Jerry Ramodike from the SABC in Auckland was not very difficult but it wasn’t easy either; Thabiso Kotane was resolute about taking the new challenge in Limpopo; Josias Ncube had to be persuaded to leave PhalaPhala to join the new team. I am proud of this team and it is the individual brilliance of these great people that has taken to the very pinnacle of our achievements,” Mdlalose explains enthusiastically.
But who is Simphiwe Mdlalose? Born on 6 December 1974 at Imbali in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, Mdlalose grew up in Soweto.
He did his primary education at Ekwenameni Primary School in Pietermaritzburg, went to Soweto but returned to KZN to complete his matric at Pholela High School in 1992.
He then went north to study B.Comm at University of Limpopo where he completed his studies in record time. Since then it has been radio all the way.
Meeting Mdlalose at CAPPELLO restaurant at the newly opened Thorn hill Complex, one is struck by the man’s class. Dressed impeccably as usual (he was once voted the best dressed man in Limpopo), the man exudes confidence, clarity and vision.
“Look, Capricorn FM is an inspirational and inspirational radio station; it is a way of life. We are changing the lives of thousands of people with our developmental and empowering approach. The people are important to us.” philosophises the handsome chief executive who also doubles as the host of the Sheltered Zone, a 09h00 – 12h00 gospel programme accompanied by spirituality.
His message to the youth of Limpopo is simple: never stop dreaming; never give up; there is no instant route to success; get as much education and skills as possible.
About his future, as we part company, Mdlalose is very clear, “I will become a media mogul; I will create opportunities for lots of young people; I will do philanthropic work; finally, I will drift towards ministry and provide spiritual food to the people.”
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