05-08-2025
‘I've finally made it' - Msizi James on securing daytime slot, fatherhood and giving back
With more than a decade in radio broadcasting under his belt, he has touched countless lives throughout his career - something he considers his most rewarding achievement.
Today, he continues to make an impact on the Afternoon Drive show, where he has formed a strong partnership with fellow seasoned broadcaster Thando Thabethe.
He candidly tells Drum how thrilled he is to be in a primetime slot, which is a well-deserved promotion in his monumental career.
'I've been at 947 for four years now, and I've worked at East Coast radio, and 5FM's demographics are similar. I think the time for me to be in the afternoon drive is perfect, because I relate more with the show's demographics, even though they are a little older than me,' he tells us succinctly.
'I'm a father, I'm a husband, I came to Joburg to try and make it. That aspiration aligns with a lot of people. If you think of Johannesburg, it's full of people who are not from Johannesburg, but are here to eke out a living.'
Having been a part of one of the most prestigious radio stations, Msizi has gained the chutzpah, which works for him in his current role at 947, as he speaks to people 'my age and who are going through the same things as me.'
'Being at 5FM has allowed me to speak my mind, and now that I'm at 947, at least I speak to people my age and those older with kids, just like I'm a father,' he explains.
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He has worked with seasoned broadcaster Thando before, and he relishes the opportunity he has to work with her again.
'I've worked with Thando before; she was at my baby shower, and she and I have a good rapport. She owns businesses, as do I, and we understand each other,' he quips.
' I enjoy working with her a lot because we get each other.'
When it comes to changing people's lives, he wallows in the opportunity to be at the forefront of it, saying he loves every minute of it and it's a memorable highlight for him.
' One of the most recent highlights is when I was working at 5FM, we had a segment called emergency funds, we just gave people a R1000 for whatever they needed, even for a groove, so there was this lady who called needing money for medication. We gave her the money, and a CEO of some company called and offered her medication and R20 000 for the nutrition needed for her condition,' he says animatedly.
Like with many of his industry peers, he doesn't particularly enjoy the inconsistency of the industry and finds it rather monotonous, remarking that he has moved around a lot, which is not consistent.
'The consistency of the industry is quite challenging, because new management comes with new ideas, which means you have to align with that vision.'
As busy as he is, he enjoys the duties of being a doting dad who is always there for his son.
'I spend time with my son, we go out on ice cream dates and other activities. I'm a present father,' he proudly says.
' I'm also into golf, I'm going golfing next, it's an expensive sport, so I have to hustle, that's why I have other businesses,' he concludes.
