Brad Brown

Izimvo has the honour of introducing 94.7′s Brad Brown.

Brad, a familiar voice on Johannesburg’s 94.7 Highveld Stereo, is a great example of determination. After an unsuccessful Hot Jock audition in late 2002, Brad got right back into the massive audition lines and tried again. Second time round Brad made it through the preliminary judging and went on to book his place in the final. Although he did not win, Brad used the opportunity to push for an audition show which he finally got in 2003.

As well as Radio DJ on 94.7, Brad is also an accomplished voice over artist, club DJ and successful entrepreneur with interests in three companies.

Website: http://www.bradbrown.co.za
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/bradbrown947
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brad-Brown/158393978752
Location: Johannesburg

Brad 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: I’m not really big on huge social events but my best mate would introduce me as Brad, 33, entrepreneur, radio jock and proper South African bloke.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I have secret ambitions of being the front man of a rock band! Seriously, I got into radio because at the time I got an opportunity to get into the entertainment industry and I thought it would be a way to get to my goal. Thirteen years later I’m still on radio and don’t have a band.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: I love the bush. I really don’t get to go often enough. I also enjoy a round of golf to put things into perspective. With my golf game you realise things can’t get much worse that that!

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South Africa would you like it to be?

A: Ideally it would be in the middle of a game reserve. Nothing to big, but comfortable, all open plan with huge full length glass sliding doors so that it can open up the entire house. If I could run my businesses from the Kruger Park I’d move out there tomorrow.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property

Radio in South Africa

Q: You first stated your radio career at RAU Radio where you hosted various shows and eventually becoming head DJ. What were the most important lessons you learnt while working for the student radio station?

A: The few years I spent on RAU Radio (Now UJFM) were probably the best foundation I could’ve ever hoped for in my radio career. We had a phenomenal group of on and off air talent. Many of them have gone on to successful careers. I learnt two big lessons on campus radio. The first was to find someone you could learn from take their advice to keep getting better. As soon as you think you’re good enough you stop growing. The second was to believe in yourself. I learnt quickly that if you don’t back yourself no one will. Those two lessons haven’t only helped me in my radio career; they’ve been invaluable in my businesses too.

Q: Your 94.7 Highveld Stereo “lucky break” included a failed attempt at their “Hot Jock” Idols like competition. What made you come back again and was there ever a stage where you thought it was not to be?

A: I had sent demo tapes through to Highveld for a couple years with absolutely no luck. I’m the proud owner of a whole bunch of standardised rejection letters. By the time Hot Jocks came around in 2002 I had been on campus, community and retail radio consistently for about 4 years.

I remember standing in that line waiting to audition like it was yesterday. My nerves just got the better of me at the first audition and I blew it. I knew that I was better than that and I decided to get back into the line and try again and ended up winning that regional round and made it through to the final week of the competition.

Although I didn’t win it was a foot in the door at the station and I bugged them until they gave me an audition. I was determined to work for Highveld and the thought never crossed my mind to stop trying.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about working at 94.7 Highveld Stereo?

A: I think it has to be the people. Our line up has some serious superstars on it and I am extremely proud to be part of the same team as the likes of Jeremy Mansfield, Alex Jay and Mark Pilgrim. I am often dumbstruck in that building when I realise that I am on the same line up as those legends.

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: Alex Jay. He is without a doubt the most genuine, down to earth bloke I have ever met. If anyone in the radio industry could afford to have a big head it would be Alex but there isn’t even the hint of an ego with that man. He is so humble it’s amazing.

Q: What advice would you give those wanting a career in radio?

A: Get used to rejection and never give up. There are nowhere near enough radio stations in South Africa so the amount of on air time slots are very limited. Keep sending demos and bug programming managers until they give you a shot. But also make sure that you are 100 percent prepared when the opportunity presents itself. You might only get one shot.

Q: What are your thoughts on podcasting and do you think it will ever become a threat local radio?

A: I’m in two minds whether podcasts are going to be a threat to radio in South Africa or not. I do think that digital music platforms are however already a threat to local radio. We live in a world of instant gratification and the internet and technology is making it easier and easier to get what we want when we want it.

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: We have but fortunately nothing to serious. It is probably the thing that scares me most about the future of South Africa. I think we have a real problem that needs to get dealt with urgently. I also think there needs to be an adjustment in the way average South Africans think about crime for the situation to get better.

The way I see it is if everyone just took care of what they were doing the authorities would be able to deal with the bigger issues. Having a police officer pull you over for speaking on your cell phone is preventing him from perhaps apprehending a more serious offender. I’m not sure if that make sense. By breaking the law yourself you are contributing to the bigger problem. In my mind shoplifting is the same as robbing a supermarket with a firearm, they are both theft. Granted one is more serious that the other but both are still a crime. What are you teaching your kids by breaking the law, like speaking on your phone while driving? You’re teaching them that it is ok to break the law as long as you don’t get caught and that is not ok in my book.

What really grates my carrot is when people write letters to my local paper bitching about how the metro police hide in the bushes with their speed guns catching people speeding. There is a simple solution to that problem. Don’t speed. If you take care of the little things the big things will take care of themselves. It is up to us as individuals to take care of the little things.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: I have thought about it but I do not want to emigrate. After matric I took a gap year (by gap year I mean 3 years) and travelled quite a bit. I lived and worked in the US and the UK and enjoyed living in both but I realised I am South African and this is where I belong.

Q: What are the must-see attractions for visitors to the Soccer World Cup?

A: This country is so vast with so much to see it is difficult to narrow it down. I think time in the bush is a must for any visitor to SA.

Q: South Africa’s greatest export is?

A: The England cricket team.

Life in Johannesburg

Q: If, at the flick of your fingers, you could change anything about life in Johannesburg. What would you change?

A: If we could have Cape Towns beauty this would be the best city in the world to live in.

Q: As a father, what is your families favorite kid friendly restaurant and what would you recommend on their menu?

A: We love Papachinos in Crowthorne. Their pizzas are really good and it’s a great place for the kids. They get to make their own pizzas and they have a really cool area for them to play in with child-minders to keep an eye on them.

Q: If you were tasked with commissioning a postal stamp depicting the beauty of Johannesburg and it’s people, which image would you select?

A: I think the Joburg skyline at sunrise. There is something beautiful about watching the sun rise over the Brixton tower and Ponty on a clear Highveld morning.

Q: You are currently training for the 2010 Comrades marathon. What are your favorite training routes in or around Johannesburg?

A: There are so many. I really enjoy the tree-lined streets in the Ranburg area, especially when the Jacarandas are flowering. There is also a hilly little suburb close to where I stay called Noordkruin that has some of the most spectacular views of Joburg.

General

Q: As a father, radio DJ, voice over artist, emcee and a successful entrepreneur with interests in 3 businesses. Where do you find the time for everything? Do you have any time management secrets that you can share with our readers?

A: I think proper planning is the key. I schedule everything from my runs to my son’s sports games. That way nothing gets forgotten and I manage to work everything in that is important and needs to get done.

Q: Public speaking is rated as one of the most feared activities. What do you enjoy most about it and how did you overcome the natural fear? What is the biggest crowd you’ve MC’d to?

A: I still get nervous when I need to be on stage in front of a lot of people but I’ve learnt to deal with it. I think it just boils down to doing it enough so that you become comfortable with doing it. It’s the old cliché that practice makes perfect. I’ve emceed a few big concerts probably around 12 000 people. But when your eyes are as bad as mine you only see the first few rows of the audience.

Q: Which book would you make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz.

Q: If you had to pick one South African as a mentor, who would it be and why?

A: Madiba. I think he is an amazing man. To go through what he went through and not harbor any hatred is unbelievable. I think we owe much of what we have in South Africa today to him.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: I am sport mad, anyone sporty would be good. I would love to ask Bruce Fordyce if he thinks he would have been as successful as he was and won 9 consecutive marathons if he was at his peak now in 2010.

We’d like to thank Brad for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success for the future.

Reminder to follow @izimvo on twitter for regular updates and our Facebook page to submit question and interviewee suggestions. You can also read all of our interviews on your iPhone using the Izimvo iPhone application.

Don Packett

Izimvo is honoured to introduce MC, Comedian and Speaker, Don Packett.

Don, who used to be an actual clown, is a local comedian who we have been following with a great deal of interest over recent months. Besides leaving audiences in hysterics, Don is also involved in Thunk – a company selling perspective.

Website: http://donpackett.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/donpackett
Latest Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dHrIHGLb_8
Location: Johannesburg

Don was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

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 is a toughie, cos I have different context-relevant friends. One of my oldest and closest mates from school days intro’s me as “This is my famous friend, Don” (which doesn’t hurt with the ladies), while at tech/web/geek events most people would intro me as “@donpackett”, which is always funny. I intro myself as Don, plain and simple. To answer the above: I’m 29, I co-own a perspective lab called Thunk!, and I want to master every board sport on the planet.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I collect currency from all over the world, even special edition coins from SA. The idea is one day my great great great grandchildren can hopefully sell them for a wad of cash. Or laugh at how silly I was. Either way it’ll make them smile. My favourite movie of all time is Snatch. I’m lucky enough to have a framed authenticated film reel (four cells) from the original filming. It’s number 8 of 1000, and hanging on my wall at home. It’s okay, you’re allowed to be jealous.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Besides getting naked? I really enjoy sitting quietly and watching people. Observing people, particularly in malls, is one of my favourite things to do. It’s mind-numbing and at the same time incredibly interesting.

Comedy in South Africa

Q: When starting out as a comedian, at what moment did you know this could be your career?

A: Hahaha. Comedy is definitely not my full-time career, I’d be living on a mate’s couch eating dry Weet-Bix for dinner if it was. I’ve been writing comedy for as long as I can remember, with no actual plan of making it happen. A collection of events (good and bad) drove my decision to call and book my first spot. Greatest thing I’ve ever done. For now it’s an awesome escape from reality and my chance to get in front of an audience and speak crap. Which I do. I love being on stage, so when it gets to a point when it can pay the bills, I’ll call myself a full-time comedian.

Q: What makes South African humor so unique and do you think that our comedy translates well for international audiences?

A: I haven’t tested it abroad to larger crowds yet, so I have no idea. I think South Africans have a great sense of humour. We love making fun of ourselves and the traditional SA stereotypes, which is awesome. I think comedy about the country you perform in always works well. If you can see the lighter side of the country you’re visiting, the locals appreciate it. You’ve taken time to understand what the country’s about, and can often see things that we take for granted, differently.

Q: Do you have any subjects that you will not use in your routine?

A: Once I tried a religious gag about a morning status meeting in heaven. After roll-call, Jesus tells his PR department that he has some excellent pics to share with the world like walking on water and turning water into wine, but now everyone on earth is using his crucifixion pics for all his PR, and it doesn’t make for a good Facebook profile pic. I got some complimentary giggles. I had to try it at least once, but no more religious jokes for me. For now. :)

Q: Being a comedian involves a lot of travel. Which 3 local comedians would you pick for a long road trip?

A: John Vlismas, Rob van Vuuren and Loyiso Gola. All 3 exceptional comedians, but more importantly, smart mo’fo’s.

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: In my first week living in Pretoria, after matriculating and living my whole life in Welkom in the Free State, I was mugged by two dudes with knives. It was my fault, ‘cos I was on my way back from the library. Served me right. It didn’t change my opinion of SA at all though. I was angry with the perps, no doubt, but every city in the world has crime, every place has it’s problems. If you keep emitting good energy, it should slowly start to spread. I love SA.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: I once looked into jobs in Australia, but realised it was full of Australians so I decided against it. Fuck ‘em.

Q: If you were South African president for just one day, what would you change?

A: I’d make a law that states that if you can’t prove that you make an actual contribution to society, and you’re not just leeching off the system, you can stay. The rest can all move to Vryheid.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: It really depends how hot she is. But for a standard, platonic international visitor: An evening shebeen tour of Soweto, bungee at Bloukrans and Mavericks in Cape Town.

Life in Johannesburg

Q: Which stand up venue in or around Johannesburg is your personal favorite?

A: The Comedy Underground at Cool Runnings in Melville is incredible. The crowd is always open to new acts and new material and they’re generally an awesome bunch. It’s also where I started off, so I’ll never ever forget how they made me feel welcome enough to want to continue comedy. It’s like my comedy ‘safe place’.

Q: When planning that perfect night out with that someone special, which restaurant would be your first choice?

A: Harrison’s on 12th used to be my winner, the evening would always end up, uh, fruitful. Now they’re closed, which sucks. I’m a big Thai fan. Kai Thai on Rabie Street has a spa too, so a light meal followed by a thorough massage will no doubt end your evening in nakedness. Good times.

General

Q: What are you going to buy yourself as a 40th birthday present?

A: A big fat something. I dunno what it is yet, but it’s gonna be awesome! You just wait and see. Awe. Some.

Q: If you were able to pick anyone as your mentor, who would it be and why?

A: I’m gonna cheat and choose two: Richard Mulholland and John Vlismas. Rich because, although we own a business together, he’s been doing it longer and is one smart dude. Not one person leaves after an interaction with him not having learnt something new or been inspired to do something awesome. John is not only one of the funniest people on the planet, but also one of the smartest. Go team.

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?

A: Medjumbe Island off the coast of Mozambique

Q: Are there any rituals that you follow before going on stage?

A: I listen to the most hardcore thrash/metal/rock music on my way to every gig. It clears my mind and pumps me up.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: Julius Malema. His replies would be awesome. “What don’t people know about you?” “Ah, you see, many people probably don’t know that I am a firm believer in the process for change within our democratic society. Within these structural facilities that we are currently residing upon, we are certain that if we rid this country of racism and hermaphroditic phobias, then this democratic society will be one that we will strive to create as a system within not only our own democratic beliefs, but ones within that other people from other nations would also want to believe, because our democratic duty to the people of South Africa is one that cannot be ignored as a democratic society, and furthermore…” Beautiful.

Back in June, Don and friends made international headlines when a single prop plane collided head-on with a bakkie they were traveling in.

A huge thank you to Don for taking the time to answer our questions. Be sure to download Don’s wallpaper, said to officially be the worst in the world.