East Coast Radio’s drive-time presenter Bongani Mtolo has started an initiative that helps high school kids and varsity students meet local celebs and other successful people they can look up to.
Bongani left his career as a successful car salesman to follow his passion for radio and he is now one of the most popular drive-time hosts in Mzansi – proving you’re never too old to chase your dreams.
Read more: ‘I often slept under my desk, money was tight’ – East Coast Radio host Bongani Mtolo
“I left my job because I was more passionate about radio and when I left, like many other people, I was scared and thought, ‘What if it doesn’t work’.” He told Drum.
The 29-year-old started the initiative because he felt many children from rural areas don’t dream big enough – that they limit themselves by thinking being a teacher, nurse or lawyer is all there is.
“I began this organisation with the vision of wanting to inspire. Whenever I’d go to rural areas I’d meet some of the smartest kids and find out that most of them have never met a successful person, so what I do is invite influential people to motivate the learners – both high school and varsity students.”
Bongani tells DRUM he doesn’t receive outside funding for the initiative. “This programme is funded by myself because a lot of the time when you are funded by brands, they tend not to communicate your programme the way you want them to or they tend to taint the image you have for your brand. So for now, I fund it.
“I want my story to inspire someone, and my long-term goal for the programme is to have high school tours and just inspire everyone. My wife is the backbone of what I do, I love her so much and I’d like to thank her for the support,” he said.
