BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE: “Thank you South Africa for embracing me.”
These words were echoed by Eswatini-groomed Radio DJ Wilson B. Nkosi as he celebrated 37 years on radio yesterday.
The inspiring story of legendary broadcaster Nkosi saw him being celebrated for being on radio for over three decades on the Chill Factor Show on Metro FM, hosted by Paul Mtirara, yesterday. The interview took place at 1.15pm on Metro FM.
Nkosi was born on April 24, 1975 in a small town called Piet Retief and later moved to Eswatini, where he grew up. He attended Evelyn Bearing High School in Nhlangano from Form 1 to 5. His show airs on Metro FM on Sundays and is dubbed, ‘Sounds and Stuff Like That with Wilson B. Nkosi.’
Nkosi shared with fellow broadcaster Mtirara that he applied to join the then Metropolitan station when he was still in Form 5 and was told at the time nothing was available. After completing his studies, Nkosi got a reply from the SABC informing him of the launch of Radio Metropolitan, as METRO FM was known then. His dream as he grew up was always to become a radio DJ.
He then auditioned and was informed that he would be on trial for three months, and 37 years later, he is still on Metro FM. He joined the station when he was 19 years old.
He said, “I applied by writing in, and I was interviewed and given three months, and it’s been 37 years now.”
He went on to share that he has been lucky and blessed, and he was grateful to the people who gave him the opportunity. “I love everyone at work. From people who joined last week to years ago, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like me. I am grateful for the opportunities because you can never get used to this.”
He shared that his craziest encounter with a fan was when a fan told him she was going home with him. “I didn’t know this woman from a bar of soap. Yeah, that was my craziest encounter with a fan.”
When Mtirara asked him what was his highlight in his radio career, he said, “Not to sound modest or arrogant, but my highlight would just be being here on Metro FM. Thank you South Africa for accepting me and embracing me. I am grateful.”
When asked about the late legendary colleague Eddie Zondi, who passed away in 2014, he revealed that they were like brothers. He shared how one time they had gone with Bob Marawa to perform somewhere, and Zondi devised a plan that saw them end up in Cape Town unplanned.
He concluded the interview by sharing that he will replay the moment in the comfort of his home later, as it will play over and over. After the interview, the rest of the show’s fans called in to congratulate the legend and share songs that best define him.
