Ryan Hopkins | April 18, 2024
Karabo Masemola was born in 1998 in Newcastle, KZN and grew up in Klerksdorp, NW. I was an active and creative who has always had entertainment amongst the things I love most. I performed in some competitions during my school years and went on to study for my Honors in Dramatic Arts at the University of Witwatersrand. While studying, I started a talk show on my YouTube channel The Share Button with Karabo Masemola and started being exposed to MCing gigs which have helped propel my career. My love for storytelling inspired me to purse a career in radio.
What makes radio different is the power of the medium, and its ability to paint images in the minds of the listeners, hence it being the theatre of the mind. Through the stories that are shared, lives are impacted positively and daily. I appreciate my ability to be a vessel through which people can sometimes find healing. It’s like therapy for me.
“I Appreciate My Ability To Be A Vessel Through Which People Can Sometimes Find Healing“
I started being a radio broadcaster in 2020, at an online radio station which was based in Johannesburg. In 2022, I joined Alex FM as host of The Mixtape Show every Friday night, and in April of 2023, I became part of the weekday lineup with The Real Deal Yangempela from 9am to 12pm (Mon – Fri). Am currently on the drive time show called The Fastlane on Alex FM from 15:00 to 18:00 on weekdays.
My audience is the youth and we are all about empowering young people to develop themselves with regards to skills and gearing them up for world and our country that is riddled with you unemployment.
I have a powerful and dedicated team around me including my director Slabsta, my executive assistant and stylist Abongile Zakwe, my makeup artist Naledi Letsoalo, videographer Anam, and photographer Dotnet Photography. Working with them has been empowering, and the brand and company have grown so much since they’ve committed to contributing their skills and energies into making it all a success.
Graduating in my Honors in the Arts, MCing for thousands at the Durban Summer Beach, winning a radio award for Best Digital Media, being an Alex FM presenter, amongst countless others are part of my highlights and the challenges experienced thus far are mostly on me, I have been continuously working on myself and my ability to create good radio. I have grown exponentially though, thanks to the daily show. I am still maneuvering my way around the media and entertainment industry, so I am yet to come across more challenges and conquer them.
Success to me means self love, happiness and contentment. These go hand in hand for me. To be truly successful, I believe that you need to have a certain amount of self love and trust, you also need to be happy with where and WHO you are. All of these go along with being content with your life. It’s not all about money. That’s only a fraction of it.
What would you say is the secret to remaining relevant?
Being in touch with what is happening in the world. People want to know about what’s new and what’s happening. Give the people what they want, also my positive energy and vibe. Beyond the storytelling and information sharing, I am a great vibe to be with or listen to. Even better on radio! As for critics I don’t “deal” with them. I listen to what they say and filter it all, only taking in what works for me, my work, and my brand.
Your readers can tune in every weekday from 15:00 to 18:00 on Alex FM 89.1 , www.alexfm.org otherwise they can download our Alex FM app.