'BEE' radio personality spreads his wings

GROWING up Alice, radio personality Mafa Bavuma never imagined himself working among world leaders in one of the biggest cities in the world.

Presenter and producer of current affairs, Bavuma, 32, who is known for his smooth voice and infectious laugh, recently reported on the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

"It was my first time outside the country but it was a great experience to be exposed to international media and to be among world leaders," he said. Bavuma is part of the breakfast show team, called The BEE, on Umhlobo Wenene and he also heads the station's current affairs department.

He enjoyed a braai at his favourite hangout spot, Blawa Chisa Nyama in New Brighton, ordering braaied meat with dumplings, with a glass of Coca-Cola.

I love radio because... it allows me to use my creativity, the first to know, to inform and educate the masses.

I'll know I've made it when ... when I have accomplished a complicated task, just when most people think I cannot make it and I rise above. I just love being an underdog.

The people who have taught me the most are   ... my mother and father, the Christian values they instilled in me at such a young age, is one of the reasons I believe that I am the most humble and generous person alive.

I have a soft spot for ... for my listeners because I every time I'm behind the mic I believe they are my customers – without them I'm nothing – even outside the studio. I always give them love and warmth irrespective of my mood.

I should have studied  ... theology, my father wanted me to be a priest, his first-ever present to me was a Bible and umsimbithi (a stick used by Methodist preachers). I was about 10 years old then.

I'd love to party with ... Ha ha ha ... Robert Marawa. He can make a sport show so appealing and funky which makes someone who does not have an interest in sport interested too. This is what I have been doing with the current affairs show, Zibuzwa Kuthi, to make it appealing to people of all ages.

When I was 16, I wish I knew  ... how to spend and how to save, save and save some more.

My music weakness is  ... soul music and a bit of old school R&B – the likes of Musiq Soul Child, Silk, Keith Sweat –  eish! I just love the "old school" jams.

Nothing makes me happier than  ... to see everyone around me happy and having a good time.

My favourite item of clothing is  ... casual wear, even if I have to be formal it has to be casual formal. So, please don't judge me when you see me like that at a funeral or wedding, I am not being disrespectful, it's just my style.

I absolutely hate ... moody, show-offs, over-sensitive and not-so-sociable people. I just can not stand them, sorry.

I am saving to buy  ... a mansion.

I share my life with  ... my lovely Kim and my adorable boy, Buhle. I live for them. My cellphone, I am in demand.

In 10 years I see myself ... in radio. I don't see myself doing anything rather than radio, this is my life. Even if I am moving up it still has to be in radio. TV? I am not sure if I have the face, you will be the judge.

My favourite places in the metro are  ... I love the kasi flavour of Blawa Chisa Nyama, I love meat (the listeners know that) and the meat they make there – and, ooh – their stew and dumplings, even my wife does not meet their standard.

You will also find me at Lunga Jazz Bar in Nhose, Zwide, they play soul music and jazz for mature and older people.

To unwind I like to visit the beach, it is a nice sight for a creative person, PE is blessed with a number of restaurants I frequently visit with my family, there's no place like Mzantsi. - Yoliswa Sobuwa