Century of Radio in South Africa

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Radio has always been more than a medium for education, information and entertainment.

In South Africa, it has shaped identity, resisted silence and even driven development. It is this unique intersection that inspires the term ‘radiocracy’ – a blend of radio, democracy, and development.

At a recent UKZN Durban Alumni Association-hosted gathering, UKZN alumnus Advocate Mr Robin Sewlal spoke on ‘Radiocracy’: 100 Years of Radio in South Africa.

Sewlal reflected on his lifelong passion for radio, his legal background and his belief in the enduring importance of accuracy, integrity and literacy in broadcasting.

Sewlal’s journey began as a Law student, his legal studies intersecting his love for media. His career eventually took him to DOME Music Radio, a project that cemented his passion for the medium. “Radio has always been my love,” he said. “It’s not just about speaking - it’s about storytelling, responsibility, and connection.”

Central to Sewlal’s message is the conviction that radio must be accurate and balanced. “Facts are sacred, opinions are free,” he reminded his audience. Unlike platforms where misinformation spreads unchecked, radio demands clarity, balance, and credibility. For him, integrity comes from the broadcaster - inside out - while credibility is bestowed by the listener, outside in. Together, these values explain radio’s extraordinary longevity.

Radio’s resilience lies in its ability to evolve with the times. Sewlal pointed to Radio 702, which transformed from a music station into a talk powerhouse in 1988. “Stan Katz, who pioneered talk radio, admitted he didn’t know what he was doing. But it worked, and it changed the industry.” Beyond technology, radio adapts through programming styles, personalities and storytelling methods. It remains deeply connected to other media forms, complementing print, television and digital platforms. “Radio comes from print,” says Sewlal, tracing its roots back to the written word in plays, advertisements and stories. Its cinematic quality, “painting pictures in the mind is what makes it so compelling.”

Sewlal’s belief in radio as a driver of development is embodied in his Press for Literacy project. “The more you read, the better you speak, the better you communicate, the better you write and the better you listen,” he explained. Radio, he believes, can anchor a national movement to strengthen literacy and empower citizens.

South Africa’s radio history stretches back to 18 December 1923, when the first broadcast took place in Johannesburg with Cape Town following on 14 September 1924, and Durban on 19 December 1924. Fittingly, the first voice heard on radio was a woman’s - a symbolic moment in the history of communication. From its earliest days, international content dominated, featuring programmes from the UK, the USA, and Australia. Over time, Afrikaans programming developed alongside English, reshaping the cultural landscape

In 1950, Springbok Radio became South Africa’s first commercial station, filling homes with serialised dramas and comedies such as Squad Cars, Men from the Ministry, and 10 o’clock Tales. These shows highlighted radio’s unique magic: imagination. Later, stations such as Capital Radio, Radio 702, and Radio 604 emerged, exploiting loopholes in apartheid broadcasting laws. They brought fresh voices and perspectives, challenging the state’s monopoly and paving the way for greater diversity.

Sewlal says the future of radio rests on three pillars: accuracy, integrity and literacy. Radio’s ability to educate, inform, and entertain remains vital, but its greatest power lies in fostering democracy and development. “Radio forces you to be clear, balanced and accurate. That’s why it remains so powerful, so appealing and so trusted,” Sewal concluded. A century on and South African radio continues to adapt, inspire, and unite - true to the spirit of ‘radiocracy’.

The UKZN Durban Alumni Association gathering thoroughly enjoyed the talk, followed by a lively question-and-answer session.

The evening ended on a high note with refreshments and networking. The talk was part of an ongoing series being presented by the Association.

Words: Ayabulela Mbhele

Photograph: Albert Hirasen