Makhosi Khoza is one of the most eloquent voices in South African radio – so it’s no wonder that he drives a brand new Electrum Gold Volvo V60. As the father of a two-year-old baby girl, Makhosi says, “Safety is the first thing I look for in a vehicle before considering anything else.”
Currently a jock on East Coast Radio, Makhosi Khoza is respected for being one of the most likeable radio personalities in South Africa…and for a person who’s been at the top of his game for more than a decade, he certainly shows no sign of slowing down.
Having worked on every conceivable slot on radio, Makhosi has become something of a “jock-of-all trades” – a title he readily admits was not easily gained. “I got into radio by accident, getting involved in the campus radio station at university,” he says.
This eventually landed him a spot on Capital Radio and even a management position on Durban Youth Radio. “Capital Radio was a great place to learn, and came at a time when a lot of South Africa’s best were all working at one station; people like Andre Bloem and ‘Just Ice’ had a very strong influence on the way I view the medium today.”
Sure there have been many successes, but Makhosi admits there have been some low points in his long career, not least of which was the closing down of Capital Radio. “The day Capital Radio closed down was really sad for me personally, and after that I went almost a year without a job.”
Despite being unemployed Makhosi bought his first car after Capital Radio closed down, something he confesses was the manifestation of being a bit of a petrolhead. “It was a cream Toyota Conquest,” he says, “that car really took me places.”
According to Makhosi, being born in Swaziland to a family that emphasised having a secure future has played a critical role in the way he has worked over the years, and the way he “brands” himself today. “Being on radio is about maximising the opportunities you get, and I’m sure there was a great sense of pride back at home, because I’m one of a few Swazis to have cracked the South African radio industry,” he says.
In his personal capacity, Makhosi has opened up an academy to train people who want to be on radio.
Speaking on why he decided to set up such an initiative, he highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge and relaying skills to other people. “It’s important for people in my position to share what they have and help other people fine-tune their skills,” he said.
As host of East Coast Radio’s The Work-Zone, Makhosi said it’s a wonderful experience because people love the show and were giving positive feedback. “This is a great time for me,” he said, “and I’m happy to be a part of the East Coast team.”