Reviving radio: Nigel Pierce's energetic comeback on Heart 104. 9 FM

IOL News

12-06-2025

The Nigel Pierce Show features Jamie-Lee Domburg (Traffic) and Jeremy Harris (Sport) and brings you home with power and personality.
Image: Supplied.
Nigel Pierce, veteran radio Jock and broadcaster is back on radio after a hiatus of six years and he is already making his presence felt with pulsating sounds and sharp tongue comments that has his fans in a frenzy and distractors holding their breaths. He hosts the Monday to Friday afternoon Drive Show on Heart 104.9 FM with Jamie-Lee Domburg, on traffic, and Jeremy Harris, on sport.
Weekend Argus reporter Edwin Lombard asked him a few questions on his new show.
You bring so much energy to your new show, you remind me of a solar panel (Lol). Is that the idea with the show: to be fast paced, energetic and pack a punch?
Radio hasn't felt alive in this town for years - it's been on pause, just playing in the background. But real life isn't background noise. It's messy, emotional, and urgent. We're here to bring it back to the forefront, to start conversations that matter, and to talk honestly about what's keeping our listeners up at night. No filters, no fluff - just real voices and real issues.
Tell me about the new Nigel Pierce. What else is there to know about Brand Nigel Pierce?
I've been through the pain, sat with it, and let it teach me. I'm not the same - I'm more aware, more grounded, and more in tune with myself and others. It hasn't been easy, but every difficult moment shaped me. Growth hurts, but when you take the time to reflect, that's when real progress happens.
On a Friday you keep to the theme of 80s disco music. Is the show about nostalgia for those who were doing the disco scene 40 years ago, or is it also an attempt to bring younger listeners (Gen Z) to like 80's music?
From Monday to Thursday, we're here for everyone - whether you're just starting out in life or you've seen it all. We keep it real, relevant, and welcoming. But Fridays? That's when we let loose. We turn up the energy, turn down the stress, and create a space where our older listeners can cruise into the weekend smiling, and the younger crowd can start the party early. It's more than music - it's a feeling. And on Fridays, that feeling belongs to all of us.
You seem to have effectively and cleverly combined social media and radio (congratulations on 21 million likes) Is the strategy to broaden listenership across borders and age boundaries?
That's the goal - bringing both platforms together in a way that makes sense. They're stronger when they work side-by-side.
You keep referencing the fact you're listening to radio stations across the globe. Is that the end-game - to be not only national, but international, what does the landscape look like in terms of your and HeartFM's competition?
If we want to be great, we have to learn from the best. I've been lucky enough to attend radio conferences around the world, and every time I've walked away inspired - with ideas I never would've come across otherwise. I also constantly listen to stations from all over just to stay sharp and keep evolving. Honestly, I believe this show has what it takes to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best out there. Why not us?
You got in a spot of bother in the past with your utterances and antics on radio. How aware are you of what you say on your new show as not to offend anyone, and are you given feedback by management if you might have tread on some sensitive toes?
I try not to let fear guide my choices. If something's right, I'll back it — I trust my experience, and I know I'll land on my feet.
I know that you have some legal background and dabbled into property investment. What other pursuits do you have that is away from radio that keeps you relaxed?
I help people feel more confident when they speak - whether it's in a boardroom or just having a tough conversation. Through corporate training, I guide teams to become better communicators, so they connect more clearly and work better together.
Do radio DJ's ever retire or do they just run out of steam and things to say?
Retirement is not on my radar. I've had the break I needed, and now I'm back with more energy than ever. Honestly, I feel more fired up than I did at 18, and the passion I have for this work hasn't faded one bit. If anything, it's only grown.
You have been in radio for a long time, what lessons have you learned and what advice do you have for up-and-coming radio DJ's?
Be brave enough to be yourself, even when it's uncomfortable. Speak up for what you believe in, even if it means taking a risk. It's not about picking fights, it's about making people think. Do it with respect, but don't water yourself down. Your honesty, your flaws, your realness — that's what people connect with. Share the lessons from your mistakes.