Jack of All Mics | Thabiso ''TT'' Tema on Radio, Reinvention & South Africa’s Story

What does it take to stay relevant for nearly 30 years — in one of the toughest industries in the country?

From the early days of SAFM in the 1990s to Metro FM, SABC Sport, Classic FM and Power FM, Thabiso “TT” Tema has built something rare in South African broadcasting:

Trust. Credibility. Longevity.

In this episode of Context with Sebenzile Nkambule, veteran broadcaster TT reflects on a career that has spanned sport, news, politics, radio, television, and the changing story of South Africa itself.

But this conversation is about more than broadcasting.

It is about: reinvention, staying power, mastering craft, and learning how to evolve without losing yourself.

We explore:

- Breaking into radio in the mid-90s — and facing the pressure of a demanding, conservative SAFM audience

- The discipline behind great sports broadcasting — from Setswana TV commentary to national television

- The SABC as an institution — mentorship, newsroom culture, politics, opportunity, and why public broadcasting still matters

- Moving from sport to hard news without losing credibility

- The changing state of South African media — trust, public discourse, and what audiences expect today

- Football, flair and fandom — Sundowns’ dominance, Chiefs’ struggles, the generational talent problem in South African football, and whether over-coaching is killing creativity

- Why young broadcasters today face a more informed, demanding — and unforgiving — public than ever before

At its heart, this episode asks a deeper question:

What does it take to build a voice — and a career — that lasts?

Whether you care about media, football, public broadcasting, leadership, reinvention, or the art of staying relevant, this conversation is full of wisdom, honesty, and hard-earned perspective.

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