ZIWAPHI • VOL 3 NO 25 • 18 DEC 2009 - 14 JAN 2010

MASHISHING

A former herd boy from Mpumalanga will be bringing the Fifa World Cup 2010 to listeners of popular Swati radio station Ligwalagwala FM.

Talented soccer commentator Bheki Letswalo says he will take the station’s soccer fans to the various stadiums around the country with him through his spirited and energetic commentary.

“I promise my fans real soccer action! Even though they will only be listening, they will feel as if they are on the pitch watching the match live,” said Letswalo.

Already, the Ligwalagwala FM sports team have started World Cup programmes in which they profile the countries that will take part in this historic event. They also constantly remind listeners how many days are left to kick-off.

“I want listeners to remember that I was part of the commentators who presented the World Cup. My legacy must be that they enjoyed every single moment,” Letswalo said.

The 34 year old Letswalo was born in the rural village of Mashishing, after which Lydenburg was renamed in 2006, where he looked after cattle from a young age.

“As a herd boy looking after my dad’s cattle in the afternoons and on weekends, I would come back home with my friends and go to the neighbour to listen to soccer matches. I would sometimes imitate the commentators, like Roni Masilela from Radio Zulu, with a passion! At the time I never knew that I was already paving the road to my dream,” said Letswalo.

Because his parents were poor farm workers, they could not afford to buy their own radio but, when Letswalo passed Standard 5 with distinction, the farm owner, George Hayward, presented him with an old-fashioned Omega radio.

The rest is history.

In 2005, equipped with his diploma in radio communication and broadcasting from Intec College, he immediately approached the station - and got the job!

Since then, he has provided the commentary during countless live soccer matches, including the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

“I have never looked back, because I always try to approach every match with equal enthusiasm. I am glad when people appreciate my work. To me, commentating is like preaching: you need to show the goods, not just talk about them,” he said.

Ligwalagwala FM’s manager of sport, Tony du Toit, said Letswalo was a true asset to the station, which has 1 469 million listeners.

“He is a dedicated and energetic commentator who loves and respect his job,” said Du Toit.

World Cup 2010 - here I come - says Bheki Letswalo