UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH TONY FRIDAY
BORN Antony Makoni amid a spate of gunfire in an unfortunate incident during the Zimbabwe liberation struggle of 1979, his birth was nothing short of spectacular.
His mother went into labour right after she slipped on some rocks while running away from the threatening and deafening sounds of gunshots from dissident attacks.
Despite his dramatic entry into the world, Tony has a no frills approach to life.
A seemingly far cry from the path he then chose to follow as a highly engaging radio presenter, he is surprisingly humble and down to earth. He proudly boasts of the old school feel he is popular for. Those who are in touch with the Hey Days know him as Tony Friday who is a true guru when it comes to old school music, he dearly labels blasts from the past.
Tony is currently a shows producer and radio presenter with Zifm Stereo. Zifm Stereo was launched in August 2012 and had Tony as the first voice people were to hear from this first ever privately owned radio station in the country.
He is also currently championing the mental health awareness campaigns through the efforts of Global Institute of Emotional Health & Wellness (GIEHW), an organization he founded in 2017.
We caught up with Tony and delved deep on his views on his career, relationships and mental health...
Who is Tony Friday and where did the name come from?
TF: Tony is a humble, very low profile radio presenter, producer and entrepreneur. He started his career in the entertainment business as early as 15 years of age at which time his parents were indifferent – an advantage at the time for many such pursuits were quickly shunned and barred in society. At the time he was working as assistant DJ to the late Ashton Mwanjira popularly known as The Black Saint. He only managed to get onto radio at the age of 20.
The name –funny story- came about when I thought I had it in me as a singer and went on to record a track titled Friday celebrating a weekend mood. The name caught on in the hood from youngsters around and has stuck since then. The singing had an abrupt demise after the song was played on radio for a couple of weeks, I realised that it just wasn’t my territory.
How did you achieve the break into radio life?
TF: I did not achieve the break, I broke into it. I persisted from when I was only 16 until the very day it finally happened when I was 20 years old. It was an issue of continued efforts, a known drive and a deep-set desire to be where I wanted to be - on air!
What was the biggest challenge at the time?
TF: Like everything else you would want so badly, I faced many challenges, the greatest of which was making that first entry onto the arena. Everyone wants someone with experience and I had none. All I had was my speaking talent, my DJ skills and a good attitude.
How has your journey in the entertainment business been thus far?
TF: It’s been one awesome journey. I have worked extensively in three different countries and have consulted for a number of stations across the region and globally as well. I decided at one point that I wanted to leave Zimbabwe for a while, made a specific prayer which was immediately answered through a Malawi job offer. From then, it’s been open doors!
What advice would you give to parents of arts oriented children?
TF: I would say support them in any way you can. If it doesn’t work out, they won’t say you didn’t try because they still have a long way to go before they find their feet. If it does work out, they excel with a bang because of your support.
If you may describe your job?
TF: I would say that my job is a passion and a mission. As a DJ who specialises in Old School music, I find that it helps people connect with their past in a special way, much like a time machine of sorts.
Then combined with my entrepreneurship, I would say when I write, say, or send a message on social media that leads to someone getting personal healing - my job is done. My natural talents were endowed specifically for that, my voice and my mind!
On healing, kindly shed light on your mental health campaigns?
TF: I focus on the youth and have found that their major challenges are through the interconnectedness of mental problems. Like the domino effect, relationships turn sour, failure economically and these all lead to them drowning their sorrows anyhow.
This in turn leads to other social challenges like substance abuse, depression and in some cases suicide. For me, mental health defines a state of that which affects the way you think, feel and ultimately act.
What would you say in closing?
TF: I do hope we will get to a point where mental health awareness is as wide and as broad so that it is effective.
Families and eventually societies will benefit through the love mission that starts with the self when one focuses on their mental health.
If the government could also initiate through incorporating mental health education into the mainstream curriculum it would be an awesome milestone.
Tony Friday is now part time radio presenter on Zifm Stereo and fully absorbed in his work on campaigns and advocacy for mental health wellness as CEO and founder of GIEHW, where he works with 60 other frontline counsellors from across the globe. Catch him 6-10 am Saturdays on the Breakfast show for a feel of the mellow old school.