Bio

Graig-Lee Smith started his radio broadcasting career in 2005, after he was invited to be a guest dj on Good Hope FM. Fast forward to 2014, he now presents RSG youth program Befonk and their revision programme. And busy completing his journalism degree at CPUT, in Cape Town.


Besides broadcasting he loves writing, producing work for Media 24 (Kuier magazine, Health24 and Fin24). Food & Culinary journalism is one of the things he loves writing about.

We hope that this blog would attract many radio broadcasting fanatics, food enthusiasts and citizen journalists.

Twitter: @Graigo

A taste of summer…

Food has always been one of the best specialised beats for a journalist. Tasting food has two things…it tastes really good when you request another portion, or the complete opposite where you totally hate it.

I’ve had the pleasure to visit Salero Tapas & Vino restaurant at the V&A Waterfront. Being there a couple of times the cuisine and hospitality always made me go back for more. Before even tasting the food and wine I was mesmerised by the beautiful views of the restaurant.

I was welcomed by one of the head-waiters/managers and immediately felt at home. He asked whether I wanted a sunny view, seat on the balcony or inside where the temperature was cooler. I was thoroughly impressed by the level of hospitality. When you first walk in you are welcomed by all the waiters, the African inspired decor and chandelier which stood out, it complimented each other perfectly.

With over 200 wines I opted for a glass of De Grendal Durbanville … it wasn’t one of the best wines I’ve had, it was smooth on the tongue, it complimented the starter. For starters I had a Blue Cheese, Pear & Toasted Almond salad. I enjoyed the cheese, it went perfectly with the wine.

During my drinks and starter I sat at one of the best tables, overlooking Robbin Island, boats traveling along the Atlantic seaboard. With a mere 22 degrees, the sun was blazing hot to a point where I asked the waiter to move to another table. 

When I moved inside the restaurant I was amazed by the calm atmosphere, soft jazz music in the background with a slight breeze. I remember making a note to myself saying : ‘I felt so comfortable, I could remove my shoes and relax with a book’. 

The waiter was friendly but I felt she could have been more friendlier and polite. At one time she disappeared and I had to call another waiter to be served. She didn't get my orders wrong and food was always prepared on time.

The chef's choice, “Prawns- Spanish style” immediately caught my eye. And it was cooked to perfection. The flavours, butter garlic, lemon and parsley sauce was just as good.  I ended off my meal with the most divine dessert…waffle topped with vanilla ice cream, strawberries with a dash of honey.  

I’ve had one of the best three course meals in 2014. I would definitely recommend Salero Tapas & Vino restaurant to anyone who loves good food, wine and a relaxed atmosphere. 

MTN radio award winners 2014

The MTN awards held in Johannesburg is one of the most prestige award ceremonies in South Africa. It's where thousands gather for one night to recognise the talented radio ambassadors, legends and bright stars. 

“Participating in the MTN Radio Awards is a commitment to excellence and it is really encouraging to see the broader radio industry adopt these awards and demonstrate their commitment to making better content for their listeners,” says Lance Rothschild, CEO of the MTN Radio Awards.

The winners are: 

AFTERNOON DRIVE PRESENTER (DORITOS)

Campus

Winner: TUKS FM 107.2 - Werner Bothma and Cassy Clarke - The Drive Way

Community

Winner: RADIO TYGERBERG - Anton Treurnicht – Vuurvas

PBS

Winner: LIGWALAGWALA FM - Dumisa Mavuso – Asembe Drive Show

Commercial

Winner: 567 CAPETALK – John Maytham - John Maytham Show

AFTERNOON DRIVE SHOW (GAUTRAIN)

Campus

Winner: TSHWANE FM - The Offramp

Community

Winner: MIX 93.8 FM - Ballz.co.za

PBS

Winner: RADIO 2000 - Drive Time Experience

Commercial

Winner: GOOD HOPE FM - Ozone

BREAKFAST SHOW PRESENTER (MCDONALDS)

Campus

Winner: UJFM - AB Da Costa - The Continental Breakfast

Community

Winner: RADIO ISLAM - Sulaimaan Ravat - Saabahul Muslim

PBS

Winner: UMHLOBO WENENE FM – Putco Mafani - BEE Show

Commercial

Winner: TALK RADIO 702 - John Robbie – The John Robbie Show

BREAKFAST SHOW (CITY LODGE HOTELS)

Campus

Winner: TUKS FM 107.2 - The Wake Up

Community

Winner: MIX 93.8 FM - Blewitt for Breakfast

PBS

Winner: UMHLOBO WENENE FM - BEE Breakfast Eyondlayo Ekuseni

Commercial

Winner: TALK RADIO 702 - The John Robbie Show

BUSINESS AND FINANCE SHOW (BUSINESS CONNEXION)

Winner: KAYA FM 95.9 - KAYA Bizz

COMMUNITY PRESENTER (MDDA)

Winner: RADIO TYGERBERG - Benescke Janse van Rensburg

COMMUNITY PROJECT (UNITED STATIONS)

Campus

Winner: MFM 92.6 - Safety Campaign

Community

Winner: RADIO TYGERBERG - Madiba Day (Put a Plaster on Poverty)

PBS

Winner: LOTUS FM – Warm Hearts Campaign

Commercial

Winner: PRIMEDIA BROADCASTING – Stop Rape

CONTENT PRODUCER

Campus & Community

Winner: MIX FM 93.8 - William Scott

PBS

Winner: MUNGHANA LONENE FM - Justice Shipalana

Commercial

Winner: GAGASI FM - Jacinta Ngobese

DAYTIME SHOW

Campus

Winner: TUKS FM 107.2 - The Lunch Break

Community

Winner: 101.9 CHAI FM – The Law and You

PBS

Winner: THOBELA FM – Sedibeng Disposable Nappies

Commercial

Winner: KAYA FM 95.9 - Georgie in the Afternoon

DRAMA PROGRAMME

Community

Winner: VOW FM (Voice of Wits) - Law Focus - The Right Stuff, Female Miners

PBS

Winner: UMHLOBO WENENE FM - Ithini Na Lento?

MULTI-CHANNEL PROMOTION

Winner: JACARANDA FM 94.2 - Lala Kakuhle Tata

MUSIC SHOW

Campus

Winner: MFM 92.6 – Worldwide Top 40

Community

Winner: EAST RAND STEREO 93.9 - Top 40 presented by Pedro Fernando

PBS

Winner: THOBELA FM - Thobela FM Top 10 Le Thabo

Commercial

Winner: METRO FM – Metro FM Experience

MY STATION

Most Votes

Winner: THOBELA FM

Most Loyal Listeners

Winner: GROOT FM

NEWS AND ACTUALITY PRESENTER

Campus and Community

Winner: RADIO ISLAM - Sulaimaan Ravat

PBS

Winner: LOTUS FM – Taresh Harreeparshad

Commercial

Winner: 94.7 HIGHVELD STEREO – Jacob Moshokoa

NEWS AND ACTUALITY PRODUCER

Campus and Community

Winner: VOW FM (Voice of Wits) - Paul McNally

PBS

Winner: UKHOZI FM - Busisiwe Mkhize - Ezanamuhla

Commercial

Winner: TALK RADIO 702 & 567 CAPE TALK – Cecile Basson - The Money Show

NEWS AND ACTUALITY SHOW

Campus and Community

Winner: VOW FM (Voice of Wits) - Law Focus - Female Miners

PBS

Winner: SAFM – AM Live

Commercial

Winner: METRO FM – Talk with Sakina

NEWS BULLETIN READER

Campus

Winner: VOW FM (Voice of Wits) - Mvangeli Nzuza

Community

Winner: VUKANI COMMUNITY RADIO - Khungeka Mji

PBS

Winner: UKHOZI FM - Nokwazi Mbhele

Commercial

Winner: TALK RADIO 702 - Lebogang Moeketsi

NIGHT-TIME SHOW

Winner: TSHWANE FM – The Airforce One Show

Community

Winner: GROOT FM 90.5 – Mis en Mis Uit met Hendri Myburgh

PBS

Winner: MUNGHANA LONENE FM - Minkondzo ya Tingwazi

Commercial

Winner: POWER FM 98.7 - Power Life

ON-AIR PACKAGING (DELTA AIR LINES)

Campus and Community

Winner: TUKS FM 107.2

PBS

Winner: RSG My Wereld

Commercial

Winner: 5FM

PROGRAMME INNOVATION

Winner: JACARANDA FM 94.2 - Martin Bester Drive Let's Give Kili Horns

PROMOTIONS STUNT / EVENT

Campus

Winner: TUKS FM 107.2 - World Record Attempt

Community

Winner: 101.9 CHAIFM - Yad Aharon Radiothon

PBS

Winner: LESEDI FM - Champions League Promo

Commercial

Winner: EAST COAST RADIO - Freebie Thursday

RADIO DOCUMENTARY

Winner: SAFM - Nelson Mandela's Soundtrack

SPORTS COMMENTATOR

Winner: LESEDI FM - Thabo Kofa

SPORTS REPORTER

Winner: Primedia Broadcasting – Mark Lewis

SPORTS SHOW

Campus

Winner: UJFM 95.4 - The Sports Network

Community

Winner: MIX 93.8 FM - Ballz.co.za

PBS

Winner: UKHOZI FM - Ezemidlalo no Victor

Commercial

Winner: METRO FM - 083Sports@6 with Marawa

TRAFFIC PRESENTER (GAUTRAIN)

Winner: METRO FM – Rob Byrne

WEEKEND RADIO SHOW (BUILDERS WAREHOUSE)

Campus

Winner: TUKS FM 107.2 - Top 30

Community

Winner: ALEX FM 89.1 - The Mixtape Radio show

PBS

Winner: SAFM – Media@SAFM

Commercial

Winner: KAYAFM95.9 - Top 40

NOMINATION AWARDS

BURSARY WINNER: Anathi Sidali

BRIGHT STARS

Salendran Thulukanam - ECR

Tyson Molemela – O-FM

Karien Basson – RADIO TYGERBERG

Mpho Phalatse – SOSHANGUVE COMMUNITY RADIO

Dewald Noel van Niekerk – TUKS FM 107.2

Terry-Ann Adams – TUKS FM 107.2

HALL OF FAME (NIELSEN MEDIA)

Omar Essack – KAGISO MEDIA

Lumko Mtimde – MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSITY AGENCY

Ian Crewe – PRIMEDIA BROADCASTING

Angie Kapelianis – SAFM/SABC RADIO NEWS

Putco Mafani – UMHLOBO WENENE FM

Munadia Karaan – VOICE OF THE CAPE (posthumous award)

LIFETIME ACHIEVER

John Berks

STATION OF THE YEAR

Winner: TUKS FM 107.2

Community

Winner: RADIO TYGERBERG

PBS

Winner: UMHLOBO WENENE FM

Commercial

Winner: TALK RADIO 702

GOODHOPE FM NEW DJ LINE-UP 2014

It’s that time of the year again where new voices are introduced to different time-slots in radio. Some stay on for decades while others move on to greener pastures. 

Goodhope FM recently released their line-up which came into effect on 31 March 2014. I must admit that there are younger voices, which in my opinion is good for bright stars growing in the industry.

I hope all of the dj’s excel and may they grow from strength to strength.

The brand new Good Hope FM on-air line-up will be effective from Monday, 31 March 2014.

Monday – Thursday

01:00 – 06:00     Automated (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

06:00 – 09:00     Good Hope FM Breakfast - Guy McDonald, Sandra Rosenberg

                        (News), Carl Wastie (Sport), Erin-Lee Saunders (Traffic)

09:00 – 12:00     The Nigel Pierce Show - Nigel Pierce, Sibs Matiyela (News)

12:00 – 15:00     Lunch on Mars – Stan Mars, Vania Cloete-Collison (News), Dalin

                       Oliver (Sport), Zaid Omar (Soccer 3-4-3 – Thursdays:  from 12:35 –

                      13:00)

15:00 – 18:00     The Ozone – Sean Loots, Leigh-Anne Williams (News), Eugene

                            Mpatheni (Sport), Geri Olwagen (Traffic)

18:00 – 20:00     Ayanda Tini Show – Ayanda Tini

20:00 – 23:00     The Ready D Show - Ready D

23:00 – 01:00     Luwayne Wonder

                          

Friday

01:00 – 06:00     Automated

06:00 – 09:00     Good Hope FM Breakfast - Guy McDonald, Sandra Rosenberg

                        (News), Carl Wastie (Sport), Erin-Lee Saunders (Traffic)

09:00 – 12:00     The Nigel Pierce Show - Nigel Pierce, Sibs Matiyela (News)

12:00 – 15:00     Lunch on Mars – Stan Mars, Vania Cloete-Collison (News), Dalin

                                                  Oliver (Sport)

15:00 – 18:00     The Ozone – Sean Loots, Leigh-Anne Williams (News), Eugene

                         Mpatheni (Sport), Geri Olwagen (Traffic)

18:00 – 22:00     Drs’ in the House – Dr Jules

22:00 – 02:00     Nightfunk – DJ Mixi

Saturday

02:00 – 06:00     Automated

06:00 – 09:00     Weekend Breakfast Show – EBI, Aimee McDonald (News),     

                           Lonwabo Mbadlanyana (Sport)

09:00 – 12:00     Good Hope FM Top 30 – Graeme White, Aimee McDonald

                           (News)

12:00 – 15:00     The Teen Show - Carl Wastie, Sibs Matiyela (News)

15:00 – 18:00     Freakin Weekend – DJ Loyd and TK, (News TBC)

18:00 – 22:00     Drs’ in the House – Dr Jules

22:00 – 02:00     The Godfather’s House - Dino Michael

Sunday

02:00 – 06:00     Campus DJ - Darryl WIlliams

06:00 – 09:00     Weekend Breakfast Show – EBI, Tamara Metrowich (News)

09:00 – 12:00     Mornings with Leigh-Anne – Leigh-Anne Williams, Tamara

                           Metrowich (News)

12:00 – 15:00     Sunday Lunch with Danilo – Danilo Acquisto, (News TBC)

15:00 – 18:00     DJ Loyd (News TBC)

18:00 – 22:00     Sunset Smoothie - Bradley Knight

22:00 – 02:00     DJ Mixi

 Goodhope FM