Arts&PleasureTHE INDEPENDENT on Saturday27 April 2013 PAGE 111222

JJOOCCKKSS

FELIX Hlophe is a seminalhumorist within Durban’scomedy circles.

As a stand-up entertainer heis one of the pioneers of Zulucomedy and is well known forhis off-beat jokes and hisreferences that are oftenspecific to Durban.

Speaking about how he gotinto the business of ticklingpeople’s funny bones and whathe likes most about makingpeople laugh the Umlazi-bornfunnyman says that he likes tobe able to tell people the truth,but do it on a funny way.

“I think I have always beennaturally funny and people arealways able to relate to that sideof me,” he says. “For mecomedy is a great way toentertain, but it’s also a goodway to reflect on who andwhere we are as people andlaugh while we are doing this.”

It is this love for humourthat has seen Hlophe becomeone of the more recognisableentertainers in the city.

Now, however, it is notcomedy that is taking up mostof his time. As a breakfast radiojock for newly-founded VumaFM, Hlophe is bringing hisunique brand of humour to theairwaves. “I like the fact thatour show is very simple and weare a family-oriented breakfastshow,” he says. “What we try todo is to broadcast with people,

not just broadcast for them. it’salways good not to assume toknow everything and I thinkthat is what makes usdifferent,” he added.

On weekdays he hosts theKwasa breakfast show withacting powerhouse LeletiKhumalo and on Saturday’syou can catch Hlophe flyingsolo on the Morning Driveshow, where he runs throughthe latest entertainment andlifestyle news and speaks tolisteners about what they thinkabout it.

According to Hlophe, beingpart of such a new radio stationis one of the best things thatcould have happened to hisalready flourishing career andhaving to do it with Khumalo isan added bonus. “She is a verywell-known person in SouthAfrica from her background intheatre, film and television.Now we are both going fullsteam ahead with radio and it’soften challenging, but it’s greatto be able to work with someonethat you respect and can addvalue to what you are trying todo. We are learning from eachother,” said Hlophe

Although he has worked inradio as a prankster before,Hlophe acknowledges that it isdifferent compared to havinghis own full-on show.

“I think the biggestchallenge in radio is thepreparation. There is a lot ofwork that happens behind thescenes and that requires a lot ofteamwork as well as discipline.If you don’t have those twothings, you will tend to struggle.

“Also the fact that there is nolive audience requires you to bevery flexible and you have toimagine people listening to youout there,” he said.

It is, however, not just thebreakfast show that is Hlophe’snew baby. He recently became afather and is a proud dad toImani, his eight-month-olddaughter.

About juggling fatherhoodwith his busy career, Hlophesays that family will alwayscome first. “I think family iseverything, they are thepeople who keep yougrounded and remind youof who you are.

“And I am veryhumbled by being a father,it’s a great experience totry to nurture anewborn.”

On his futureplans and what heis cooking upin his pot ofhumour, thefunnyman notesthat he is not onlylimiting himself toradio and after severalyears of procrastinating,he is finally preparing totake the small screen by stormthis year. “I think a lot of peoplehave respect for Durbanentertainers now and they see

that people who are fromDurban can do well in theindustry,” he said.

“Right now I am going intotelevision and will be makingmore appearances on people’sscreens.

“It’s also going to be a newchallenge for me personally andthat is what this business is

about – doing newthings and neverbeing stagnant.”

After a hectic Friday night out or after spending an evening at homearound a braai, most of us wake up on a Saturday morning with ourfavourite radio jocks murmuring in the background as we go aboutour day. Sihle Mthembu spoke to three of Durban’s top weekendjocks about life, comedy, music and parenthood.

TEN YEARS. That is how longDurbanites and people inKwaZulu-Natal alike haveknown Jane Linley-Thomas.

As a radio jock she is amongthe longest serving on EastCoast Radio’s team.

Speaking about how she gotinto broadcasting, Linley-Thomas notes that it hadalways been her dream sinceshe was young to get into theentertainment world.

“Since I was a little girl Ialways wanted to be here,” shesays.

“This year is my 10th year atEast Coast Radio. I got into thebusiness in what feels like alifetime ago while living inCape Town, after which I leftand came back to Durban tojoin Red Cap Radio. I really amliving the dream, I’m soblessed.”

Other than being the host ofthe popular weekend breakfastshow, Linley-Thomas is amother to three young children.

She recently gave birth totwin boys Rocco and Lula,something which she says hasnot really slowed down heralready hectic schedule – buthas put things into perspective.

“The day my gynaecologisttold me I was having twins,every thing else in my life paledin comparison,” she says.

“I was so overwhelmed Icould hardly breathe. As isalways the case I can’t imaginemy life without these littlepeople and am so grateful theychose me as their mom.

“Having had Rocco and LulaI realise that it is much easierthan I thought it would be.Cooper, my first-born, who willbe three in August, is so good

with them which is such a joy,and as I always say to people ittakes a village to raise a child,let alone twins. We have themost incredible support andlove from our tight friends andfamily.”

Speaking about what being amom and wife means for hercareer as a radio host, Linley-Thomas says her show fitsperfectly into her lifestyle andthat is why she enjoys it somuch – although she does havesome qualms about waking upso early.

“This show has been themost perfect fit for me while Ihave hatched my babies. Myprevious show was the 6-9pm,which would have difficult withthree kids under two years old.

“Other than getting up at4.30am nothing could be better,”she says, smiling.

SPORT, fashion and music.They are three things that don’t often mix, but in the lifeone radio jock the three havefound themselves linked.

Eshowe-born ZandaMthembu is one of the mostloved music show hosts in theprovince.

She is the voice behindGagasi FM’s Top 30 countdownevery Saturday morning.

But for most radio listeners,it is a little know fact thatMthembu, 26, got her start onair as a sports presenter at thedefunct Durban youth radio.

“I got into radio a few yearsback as a sports presenter forDurban Youth Radio (DYR)while I was in tech.

“I wanted to be a radio DJwhen I started at DYR, butbecause the only platform theyhad at that time was for a sportspresenter I took theopportunity and learnt to be asports presenter. It expandedmy understanding andknowledge of other thingsbesides being a DJ.”

She notes that it isimportant to learn new thingsas well as to take up newchallenges to grow in radio.

“I’ve actually gone fromsports to newsreader to full-onDJ and now also a musiccompiler. It’s all a matter oftaking an interest in what youdo and doing it because youlove it – the rest comesnaturally,” she said.

As a keen listener ofmusic, Mthembu has something of a varied taste, butsays that she likes listening to

deep house and often prefers music to be simple.

“I’m a laid-back person,simplicity usually does it forme. I love lounging and

listening to deep house.” Among her favourite five

songs right now she counts DJGanyani’s Xigubhu, ZonkeDikana’s Viva the Legend and

Drake’s Thank Me Now.Speaking about some of the

major challenges she has had toface through her career inradio, Mthembu says thatamong the things that peoplewho listen to her don’t knowabout her is that she is shy. Shehas to keep it under control when she goes on air.

“I think one of the majorchallenges would have to belearning the equipment we usein the studio and having toconstantly think on your feet.I’m shy, but because radio issimilar to TV, we toughen up sothat others don’t see that side,”said Mthembu.

Outside the booth, however,Mthembu has a different kindof passion. She has her ownfashion label and says that thefashion project is one of themain focuses of her life rightnow.

“I’m working on my clothinglabel called Miss Glamour forladies,” she said.

“Right now I’m focused ongetting my clothing brand offthe ground. I love fashion,hence I decided to start my ownlittle thing and, hopefully, it’llgrow bigger,” she says.

JOKER IN THE PACK: Durban funnyman Felix Hlophe says that having his own radio show is a new and welcomechallenge for him.

STAR STRUCK: As host of the weekend breakfast show on East Coast Radio, Jane Linley-Thomas regularly speaks to someof the country’s leading entertainers. She is pictured with David Poole and Dominic Peters from Goldfish.

Jane Linley-Thomas ECR

ZandaMthembuGagasi FM

FULL STEAM: After 10 yearsin the business and being amother to three children,Linley-Thomas says she isnot slowing down.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Gagasi FM jock Zanda Mthembu saysshe is a shy person.

Felix HlopheVuma FM

FASHIONISTA: Mthembuwants to showcase her lovefor fashion with her newlabel, Miss Glamour.

ON THE UP AND UP: Hlophe,who hosts the breakfastshow on newly foundedVuma FM is know for hisirreverent brand of humourand being one of thepioneers of Zulu comedy.

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