As a young boy, Collen Siaga used to listen to Phalaphala FM's veteran radio hosts, Makonde Mbedzi, Mpho Nefale, and the late newsreader, Mbulungeni Mafenya, dreaming of becoming a radio presenter like them when he grew up. The man from Dzimauli Luheni set out with unbreakable determination, and today he is working his way up towards becoming a top radio presenter.
Tallman, as he is known in radio circles, is part of the team behind the revival of the erstwhile Radio Thohoyandou that went off the air many years ago. The radio station, which was started by the former Venda homeland and broadcast from Thohoyandou, closed shop and merged with the former Radio Venda after the dawn of democracy. Now, Radio Thohoyandou is back on the air with a dynamic new crew.
Tallman presents the reggae music program every Saturday between 17:00 and 20:00. The program is already making waves and becoming very popular among reggae music lovers and die-hard Rastas.
Regarding how he became a presenter, Tallman said that his love of radio had led him on a mission to knock on the doors of local community radio stations in search of an opportunity to showcase his skills. "It was by chance in 2022 that I heard about a new community radio station, Nzhelele FM. I went there, and after some rigorous auditions, I was hired to present a reggae music program. Unfortunately, the station closed down, and my dreams were shattered, but I did not give up. As they say, when one door closes, another one opens. Radio Thohoyandou reopened its doors, and I was hired as one of the presenters."
Tallman said he already felt really at home at the revived radio station. "The atmosphere here is electric, and we are like a family. I feel I am achieving my dreams bit by bit, and I will give all I have to ensure that this station reclaims its former self. My long-time dream is to work for one of the big stations at the SABC."