Khumari brings in new skills

POWER FM ’ s only award-winning producer, Tsepo Khumari, arrived in Johannesburg from Los Angeles just in time to join celebrations as the station marked two years on air.

Khumari, 24, arrived from LA last week after spending four months at Power106FM, learning about the interesting world of radio.

He is the first African to receive training from the US station. “That place is Joburg times 10. It ’ s quite busy and there is so much art there, everywhere you go.”

About his four months abroad, he says: “I was editing and arranging music. I also did sales and marketing. They have a full team dedicated to the digital space there – what you hear on radio also comes out in videos and images.”

His eyes light up when talking about the superstars he rubbed shoulders with. “I saw the whole cast of Empire , Walé, Kanye West, Kid Ink and a whole lot more. It was a really great experience. ”

But he admits to missing SA food because US food is not quite what it ’ s made out to be. Khumari produces Masechaba Lekalake ’ s

Power Life. The show won an award at the MTN Radio Awards in 2014.

Khumari was this year nominated in the best content producer category and says working with Lekalake is challenging, but enjoyable.

“Masechaba is very strict and highly organised, but she mentors me a lot.”

Lekalake had only great things to say about Khumari. “It ’ s exciting having him back. He ’ s really young and has a powerful story.”

The young man from Virginia in Free State says he has been in talks with his bosses and may soon be producing other shows.