Like many other boys growing up in a village, Arehone Livhalani Patrick Buda Netshifhatani dreamt of becoming a great radio presenter. Today, his long-cherished dream is fast becoming a reality.
Born in Lwamondo, outside Thohoyandou, and now residing in Nzhelele, the man popularly known as Big Tree in radio circles had a humble start at the community radio station, Nzhelele FM, back in 2020. He hosted a programme called Finding Hope, which aired daily from 09:00 to 12:00 and covered a wide range of topics, including health, beauty, and business.
A month ago, Big Tree joined Radio Thohoyandou, the station he grew up listening to. He now hosts the station's Top 30, a music programme that introduces the latest music trends, broadcast on Saturdays from 09:00 to 12:00. The show has quickly become one of the station's flagship programmes, attracting a growing audience.
"This is a dream coming true for me. Nzhelele FM laid a strong foundation for my career. I gained a lot of experience there, but moving to Radio Thohoyandou feels like a homecoming," he said.
The presenter who inspired Big Tree to fall in love with radio was former Radio Thohoyandou legend Razmatazz Mashige, known for his unique presentation style. "I told myself that one day, I would be like him," he said.
Big Tree shared that his current programme is expanding his knowledge of music. "I now understand what works best for my listeners, and I go all out to find the latest and trending music. I feel like I am truly living my dream, and I hope Radio Thohoyandou is just a stepping stone towards my ultimate goal of working for a major radio station, preferably the SABC," he added.