Rob Vember
Rob Vember
Izimvo has the great pleasure of introducing 5FM’s Rob Vember.
Rob, formerly on Heart 104.9 FM in Cape Town, first joined national broadcaster 5FM in early 2008. He has since become a fan favorite and can be heard discussing the news of the day every night, Monday to Thursday, between 7pm and 10pm. Rob also hosts the Sunday 10:00 to 14:00 slot.
Rob once broadcast for 126 hours and 15 minutes in a bid to set a South African broadcasting record, and bungee jumped from the Orlando Towers in Soweto.
Website: http://www.5fm.co.za/djs/rob-vember
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rob_vember
Location: Johannesburg
Rob was kind enough to answer the following questions:
Personal
Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.
A: This scenario plays itself out in 2 very different ways depending on who the close friends are. There is the “intellectual” bunch who understands and agrees with my notion of “fame” in South Africa – the notion that unless your name is Nelson Mandela you’re really not a South African celebrity so a simple introduction using my first name would suffice. Then there’s the hooligan bunch of friends who will shout from across the room “Hey this is Rob Vember from 5FM”!
Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.
A: I often hate the need to look “glam” or at the very least presentable that comes with the job. Most days you’ll catch me at my local PnP in shorts or a track pants. Most days I’m behind the mic wearing exactly that!
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?
A: I haven’t had a holiday in easily 5 years! I don’t get away. I’m a self-confessed workaholic! Since joining 5FM I’ve had 3 days off in 2 years! I do love the outdoors though. Recently went to the Lion Park and played with a few cubs, magic!
Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South Africa would you like it to be?
A: tough one… It would have to be along the coast somewhere in The Cape! Open spaces, a lot of natural light and hi-tech! Or… in the bush somewhere with LOADS of animals!
This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property – Looking at starting your own business? Why not open your very own guest lodge in Naboomspruit. Paradise Lodge, a fully game fenced 159 Hectare lodge, is a bargain at R3.5m
Radio in South Africa
Q: You first started your radio career at Heart 104.9 FM in Cape Town. What were the most important lessons that you learnt while working for a regional radio station?
A: Regional Stations generally have the upper hand on National Stations as they have the ability to “own” that region more so than a national station would. A regional station really has the opportunity to get real close and personal to its market so its important that you as a DJ get to know that market as well as possible!
At a national level you need to be careful not to fall into the trap of making one region your point of reference, it often does happen naturally broadcasting from Joburg that Joburg becomes your focal point be it with something as simple as the weather, someone in Cape Town really doesn’t give a damn that Joburg’s weather is crappy or vice versa. But certainly on a regional level you need to immerse yourself in the culture/s of that region.
Q: You are part of the 5FM playlist committee. How do you personally go about making selections?
A: It’s often a difficult task because you need to think beyond your personal taste and consider what the core market would want to hear. At the end of the day pop music is fairly formulaic and we generally do get it right! And this often means putting your personal taste aside. If it was up to me you’d never hear the likes of Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber or The Jonas Brothers on air!
Q: South Africa has a rich history when it comes to radio and radio personalities. If you were to establish a South African Radio Hall of Fame, who would be your first inductee?
A: Unfortunately a lot of the really good ones have really big egos so I’m going to refrain from boosting anyone’s ego even further.
Q: If you were to start your own radio station, who would you contact for your morning and afternoon drive shows?
A: LOL I’d claim breakfast, I believe any DJ who lives, eats, breathes and sleeps the medium aspires to host a breakfast show so I’d be crazy to own my own station and not have a go at breakfast. As for afternoons, I think one of the great on air losses albeit from talk radio in recent years is Tom London. I think he’s great and believe he would be a hit on a music format as well!
Q: What advice would you give those wanting a career in radio?
A: There is no easy answer to this much asked question in my opinion. It really is a tough industry to get into. My route in was remarkably quick and easy but I see on a daily basis how people struggle to get in. The best I believe you can do is to be prepared to start at the bottom, put in the hard graft at your campus or community station and make noise on that level where inevitably you have more freedom to do so. Use that platform to get noticed on a commercial level. It’s all hard work and it should be!
Q: What are your thoughts on podcasting and do you think it will ever become a threat local radio?
A: I think podcasting is fantastic. I get my weekly dose of The Chris Moyles Show (BBC Radio1), Jonathon Ross (BBC Radio2) etc via podcasts. I don’t believe it should be viewed in opposition to the medium of radio but we should use it where possible to boost our respective on air brands and be seen as an extension to the brand. It’s the perfect opportunity much like a blog for example for one’s show to live outside of its live on air slot. Also in the South African context, internet penetration is minimal in comparison to other first world markets so podcasts are still a long way off from being a threat to radio… certainly until broadband in South Africa becomes much cheaper and much more accessible.
Life in South Africa
Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?
A: Unfortunately the answer is “yes of course” I have been affected by crime many a time. Most noticeably a few years ago myself and two mates were held-up at gunpoint in a Spur early on a Sunday evening. Four gunmen took their time going from table to table taking what they could from patrons.
One has to however remain positive and if necessary see the funny side in things like in this instance, the smoking section was left untouched (at this point all smokers are smiling and thinking “see it has its benefits”) and shockingly after being robbed of our cash we were still made to pay for our meals by using our debit cards! Life goes on, it always will. I refuse to be held captive mentally in my own country.
Q: How would you rate the performance of the current government since the last general elections and what areas would you like them to improve upon?
A: Eish… Where to start? It is really difficult to see through all the bickering and politicking what progress is actually being made. Certainly with its installation the current administration made all the right noises but I guess they all do around election time don’t they.
However this government seems to be plagued by one distraction after the other. If it’s not Zuma’s sex life, its Malema’s party life and so it seems to continue. I just wish they’d all just get on with business and deliver on their promises.
Of course we continue to see progress and the necessary changes regarding HIV/Aids which is great and much more of the same is needed but where else is the government actually progressing?
I am a cynic by nature but I would also not hesitate to point out government’s positives. I would like nothing more than for Zuma to prove me wrong, and I’ll continue to wait for that day.
Q: What are the must-see attractions for visitors to the Soccer World Cup?
A: I think the usual Robben Island trip and safari game drives are great and are probably considered standard for any visitor but there’s no better way to experience South Africa than by a road trip up the Garden route. I’ve travelled the route countless times and it never ceases to amaze me. Leaving the Cape over Sir Lowry’s Pass and heading all the way up into the rural Eastern Cape. Phenomenal!
Q: South Africa’s greatest export is?
A: Corny but true… Nelson Mandela, made in SA for the world to treasure!
Life in Johannesburg and Cape Town
Q: You travel between Cape Town & Johannesburg on a weekly basis, how do you find the traveling between the 2 cities?
A: Not quite on a weekly basis but yes I have become all too familiar with OR Tambo and Cape Town International. I generally get the earliest possible flight out of Joburg on a Friday so that I get a full day of Cape Town in and back on the first flight on a Sunday to be in time for the Top 40. It’s both tiring and stressful. If the return flight is delayed by anything more than 20 minutes then I miss the Sunday show so it’s always a gamble really. I hate flying though. Only because it’s so damn uncomfortable. Being my size is no fun when stuck in economy. Not to mention of course the generally shocking service delivered by most of our local airlines.
Q: Where is your favorite weekend hangout in or around Cape Town?
A: Having been in Johannesburg for 2 years now, whenever I’m back in Cape Town I can’t seem to get enough of the iconic city center and the surrounds. I guess it just confirms the fact that I’m home!
Q: If you were tasked with commissioning a postal stamp depicting the beauty of Cape Town and it’s people, which image would you select?
A: It really is a tough one, simply because of the diversity of people that Cape Town has but being 2010 it would have to be an aerial shot of the new Cape Town football stadium filled with Capetonians with Table Mountain as the backdrop and the Sea Point shoreline in the foreground. It doesn’t get any better than that!
General
Q: If you could invite any three of today’s current radio personalities to dinner, who would you invite and what would you serve for dessert?
A: I’m guessing you meant local but since you didn’t specify I’ll take liberties… Chris Moyles, Howard Stern and Ryan Seacrest. My grandmother’s “lekker finger pudding”, you ain’t tasted anything like it!
Q: Which book would you make required reading for all matric pupils?
A: I think for starters we need to teach them how to read!
Q: If you had to pick one South African as a mentor, who would it be and why?
A: Once again Nelson Mandela comes to mind but he would be the first to point out that he’s only human. So there’s not necessarily one person who I’d select as a mentor but I tend to live and learn by studying other people and learn from the best and worst that they have to offer.
Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?
Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?
A: Once again assuming you meant local but I’ll take liberties on the question… Kim Kardashian. What wouldn’t I ask her should be the question. :)
We’d like to thank Rob for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success for the future. Reminder to catch Rob live on 5FM 19:00 – 22:00 Mon – Thu and 10:00 – 14:00 every Sunday.
Be sure to follow @izimvo on twitter for regular updates and our Facebook page to submit question and interviewee suggestions.
