Tholi B Talks About His New Drive Time Show: En Route 6!

We’ve heard a lot about Dineo Ranaka and why she’s leaving her 15:00 – 18:00 show on YFM but not much about the man who’s taking over and what he plans to do with the show.

For those who missed our interview with Tholi Bologo aka Tholi B, read it HERE so you can get familiar!  His real name is Rofhiwa Bologo, he was born in Venda where he spent most of his childhood. He moved to Jo’burg in the mid 90′s and attended Florida Park High in the West Rand, that’s where he completed his matric in 1998.

I quizzed Tholi about his new role at YFM and this is how the Q& A went:

Brown Shuga (BS) : Congratulations on the drive time show. When did you know you were getting the job?
Tholi B : Ndo livhuwa, Thanks. We started discussing the offer in the first week of February. (JC speculated in the same month)

BS: Are you ready for the publicity and invasion it brings to your personal life?

TholiB: I know what to keep private in my life and what to share, so I guess I’m ready. I was never really one to chase publicity though, so lets see how it goes

BS: Okay cool. So tell me about the drive time offer. Was it a negotiation between you and YFM or just a ” Tholi, we are offering you drive time and this is how much we’re gonna pay you.” How does it work?

TholiB: We negotiated for some-time, I actually only signed the contract a month later, I’m glad they recognise my worth though.

BS: Awesome. Now, you are replacing Dineo, who had great success on the slot. Aren’t you nervous?

TholiB: Dineo is a big deal, and yes there are definately nerves there, but I know what I’m capable of.

BS: Tell us about the show, what is it called, what can we expect?

TholiB: The show is called “En Route 6″ because that’s where we’re going, taking a journey from 3 to 6pm. I don’t just come up with names, I like creating a sense of creativity, an event or belonging, a community, ‘thinking out the box’ and creating a lifestyle and not just a radio show. Listen up for the awesome fresher features. (His 18:00 – 21:00 show was called Room 6 – 9)

BS: What’s gonna happen to the Generations sketch you do on the show, Generators? 

TholiB: That’s everyone’s big question. Generators is definately moving with me, we will have it Wednesdays in the knock-off hour (5-6pm).

BS: Phew, that’s good news! This might seem like an obvious question but how is the performance of a radio DJ measured?

TholiB: That’s actually a good question. It’s complicated these days in the world of how popular one is on social networks and how big of a TV star you are, or whether you’re a crowd puller or not, but programme managers will tell you its about Radio Audience Measurements(RAMs) which come out every 3 months or so. If listeners are tuned in you are safe and if numbers go down you are not safe.

(FB Message I sent to Tholi in 2008 after hearing him on the 12:00 – 15:00 show)

BS: Sounds simple enough. One thing that I’ve always admired about you is the respect you have for your listeners & it’s something very rare on radio today. Is it a conscious thing or that’s just you?

TholiB: Thats just who I am. It’s my weapon of choice and it works for me

BS: It defs is. So when exactly did you fall in love with radio and which DJs did you listen to, growing up?

TholiB: I fell in love with Radio the first time I heard YFM in 1997 but always thought it was out of reach. It wasn’t untill 2005 when i thought to myself ‘I can do this’. Every DJ on YFM did it for me.

BS: How and when did you end up at YFM? 

TholiB: I went to AK in 2005 to try out some of my creative radio features and he really liked the “Street Team” idea, where I would pretty much be a presenter on the streets of GP. That worked out very well and 2 years later I gave Bondo Ntuli (then programmes manager) my on-air demo, plus I had already made abit of a name for myself with the Joint Street Team and there was a graveyard slot available which I filled from April 2007. (Read more)

BS: And now you’re doing drive. What in your opinion makes a great drive time show?

TholiB: I make a great Drive Time show, Lol. I don’t think there’s a set formula, not anymore anyway. You must just do kick-ass Radio

BS: Mmh.. okay and 2 reasons why we should tune in to your new show?

TholiB: 1. Because im a freakin great Radio Jock and 2. Because there will be a lot of entertaiment, inspiration, information, great music, laughter and a warm voice driving you.

BS: Heheh now that I can vouch for. On to another area you did very well in, are there any plans to have another season of Ba Kae on SABC 1?

TholiB: The Bakae plans are on the cards, as you know its not all up to me but we are discussing with channel.

BS: That’s good enough, we’ll wait. What is your favourite Venda saying and what does it mean?

TholiB: My mom always says “Thabelo ndi tshitangu”, and I love this. It means “A prayer is a shield”. Nothing can touch me, with a prayer all is well and whats meant for me wont pass me by. This Drive Time show was meant for me…..

BS: Ndo livhuwa for your time Tholi, ndi ni tamela mashudu.

The End.

Catch Tholi B’s first drive time show, En Route 6 on  YFM 99.2 from 3-6 pm on 02 April 2012. 

 

 

 

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