After a 12-year hiatus, radio host and entrepreneur Nyiko Bilankulu is making a remarkable return to the airwaves. This 33-year-old radio presenter, hailing from Meadowlands Zone 10 in Soweto, has always had an unwavering passion for radio, and now he’s thrilled to be back in the game.
Bilankulu’s journey in radio has been quite the adventure. He initially departed from Trans Africa Radio in 2011, where he served as the station manager. However, the allure of radio never faded. With over a decade of radio experience under his belt, the magnetic pull of the broadcasting world proved irresistible.
“I always wanted to run a radio station that broadcasts to more than 30 countries in Africa via DSTV,” Bilankulu shared enthusiastically. “And with the world of podcasting, we are giving Africans a radio station that will be on TV.”
Indeed, the return of Nyiko Bilankulu marks an exciting era for radio enthusiasts across the African continent. Trans Africa Radio is set to provide 24/7 broadcasts to audiences far and wide. The station is even embracing cutting-edge technology that enables Outside Broadcasts from virtually anywhere in the world. Their mission is clear: to help more Africans connect with their roots and appreciate the rich tapestry of African music and lifestyle.
“The technology will allow us to have Outside Broadcast anywhere in the world. We want more Africans to know and understand Africa through music and lifestyle, and we will be able to communicate that on a daily basis,” Nyiko affirmed.
With a star-studded lineup, Trans Africa Radio is poised to take the airwaves by storm. Bilankulu proudly announced a partnership with a cadre of accomplished On-Air Personalities, including actress Dawn Thandeka King, Andile Dlamini, Mxolisi Masango, Nomvelo Makhanya, and himself as NyikoTheGreat. These are just the initial names confirmed for the station’s new lineup, with more exciting announcements slated for Friday, 22 September.
Reflecting on his early days in radio, Nyiko Bilankulu reminisced about his start at Trans Africa Radio in 2011. Back then, he was a novice in broadcasting. It was the station manager, Mika Stefano, who recognized the potential in Nyiko’s unique voice and encouraged him to pursue a career in presenting.
“I worked at Trans Africa Radio for 6 years as a presenter,” Bilankulu shared. “I then got an opportunity to work at Capricorn FM in Polokwane, Limpopo.”
Now, with his triumphant return to Trans Africa Radio, Bilankulu is poised to make a significant impact. His new show, scheduled for Mondays from 3 pm to 4 pm, will be broadcast live on DSTV and an as-yet-unnamed TV channel. This means that Trans Africa Radio will be beaming its programming to 54 countries while simultaneously streaming it live across all digital platforms.
Nyiko Bilankulu’s message to aspiring talents is one of unwavering determination: “Do not stop. There’s space for everyone. Keep pushing until they open the doors for you.”
As Nyiko Bilankulu makes his grand return to radio, he is not only creating a buzz but also paving the way for a new era of broadcasting that promises to showcase Africa’s immense talent and cultural richness to the world.