Like a seasoned radio presenter who has been driving prime show slots for years, Univen FM's reggae and African rhumba presenter Dzuvha Mphaphuli is in a class of his own when he slides behind the microphone.
Known by thousands of reggae and rhumba music lovers as "Buka li sina mutshila" (literally translated it means "the big animal without a tail"), Mphaphuli has a voice tailor made for radio broadcasting.
Listening to him talk, he reminds one a lot of former Radio Bophuthatswana and Metro FM's legendary presenter Ronnie Zondi, talking about current issues in his hoarse voice like a news editor who had cut his teeth in busy newsrooms.
In an interview with him at Univen FM's studio on Saturday morning (3 December), Mphaphuli told this newspaper that he had been trying to break into the broadcasting industry for a very long time, until former Vhembe FM's Rhumba presenter DJ Mawelewele opened some doors for him. "After I sent him a demo, he invited me to the studio and taught me the ropes, including how to adjust the microphone when one is on air. I am what I am because of [Mawelewele]," he said.
Mphaphuli, who is also one of the best programme directors around, said he kept himself and his listeners updated by reading different newspapers every day, including online news reports. "When I am not on air, I stick to stations like SAFM and Radio 2000 like glue. I believe in empowering my listeners with the latest news as it happens," he said.