12-06-2025
Robin Sewlal's 'My Radio Memory': A Century of South African Radio
Advocate Robin Sewlal, the editor of the book: My Radio Memory: Listening to the Listener
AS HIS show of appreciation for the impact it has had on his life advocate Robin Sewlal has produced a book that takes a nostalgic look at 100 years (1923-2023) of radio in South Africa.
The Durban launch of the book, My Radio Memory: Listening to the Listener, happened at Ike's Books, on Florida Road on Tuesday, and also drew friends and others, who like Sewlal, have been awed by the airwaves.
The book is a compilation of anecdotal accounts of 100 people from around the country reminiscing about their radio experiences, a splash of yesteryear adverts and some reflection on 12 radio stations that are no more.
Springbok Radio, Radio Truro, Capital 604 and Classic FM are some of the stations that are no longer in the broadcast industry mix.
Sewlal said he gave the book a 'light-touch edit' so that the listeners' hearts and voices could be heard. His passion for radio dates back to his boyhood, a time when he was keen to know about the atrocities of the past.
"Radio played a phenomenal role during the dark days of apartheid," said Sewlal
Back then he listened regularly to a host of overseas stations on shortwave. When LM Radio became Radio 5 (now 5FM) in 1975, he thoroughly enjoyed the shows presented especially by John Berks
He met his favourite presenter (Berks) at an outside broadcast on Durban's beachfront, as a teenager.
After that conversation, Sewlal's love for radio intensified.
He holds the work done at Audwax Music Radio in high regard, the station at the then University of Durban-Westville. It served as a communication tool to challenge the system engulfing the country.
Sewlal believes that Capital Radio and 702 were instrumental in "getting real, authentic news to the listener".
