Johannesburg, June 2025 | In honour of Youth Day, Jacaranda FM brought its studios to life with the #YouthDayTakeover, an empowering mentorship initiative that saw young radio personalities step into the spotlight for a full day of on-air and behind-the-scenes experience. By opening its doors to aspiring broadcasters from across Gauteng, the station created rare access to professional resources, mentorship, and live radio environments that many young talents wouldn’t ordinarily have the opportunity to experience.
Joy Fakude, Faith Modise, Ricardo Genesis, Walter Ernst, and Karabo Peter, young presenters from community and campus radio stations, took over Jacaranda FM’s flagship shows Breakfast with Martin Bester, The Workzone and The Drive with Rob & Roz. Each received live mentoring from Jacaranda FM’s iconic line-up of presenters and producers as they honed craft, hosted segments, and engaged listeners across broadcast and digital platforms.
“It was incredibly inspiring to see our next generation of broadcasters step into the studio with such confidence, creativity and energy,” said Martin Bester, host of Jacaranda FM’s Breakfast With Martin Bester. “These voices represent the future of our industry—and I can’t wait to hear where they go from here.”
“We set out to create more than just a spotlight; this takeover was a genuine training ground,” added Ravi Naidoo, Programming and Content Manager at Jacaranda FM. “Watching these presenters embrace live challenges and interact with audiences in real-time proves that the next generation is brimming with potential.”
The takeover unfolded as a dynamic fusion of live reads, content creation, social media integration, and production collaboration—all guided by Jacaranda FM’s expert team. The young creatives brought fresh perspectives while learning the craft of storytelling, pacing, and audience engagement in a professional studio setting.
“It was a day full of excitement, teamwork, and incredible talent,” Naidoo concludes. “We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these young presenters!”
The #YouthDayTakeover forms part of Jacaranda FM’s broader mission to uplift and empower young South Africans, creating real opportunities in media and broadcasting. With talent like this waiting in the wings, the future of radio sounds brighter than ever.