We're halfway through July, marking the halfway mark for Good Hope FM's 50th birthday month. That's no small fry, as it's the first commercial radio station in Cape Town to reach the 50-year mark. As a result, they launched a new weekend show, 'The Full House', on the first Sunday of the month.
Good Hope FM Station Manager Brendan Ficks talks us through the achievement and how they're celebrating all through July.
1. Congratulations, 50 years is no small fry! What did it take to be the first commercial radio station in Cape Town to reach the 50-year mark? Ficks: Indeed, I'd say the biggest achievement for Good Hope FM is not that it is merely 50 years old, but rather that it is still a leading radio station in Cape Town. The brand has remained relevant over five decades and has over 600,000 loyal listeners. It's part of the commercial radio portfolio of the SABC and proudly holds its ground next to its national sister stations, 5FM and Metro FM. The station has re-invented itself continuously through its branding, on-air imaging, music and on-air presenters, hence the branding of Good Hope FM 5.0.
2. What's the secret to creating good regional/community radio? 
Ficks: The main ingredient of a successful regional radio station is to be in touch with the bread and butter issues of their listeners. Our listeners are interested in the shenanigans of celebrities such as Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Chris Brown but they really get talking when you address issues affecting them every day, such as the drug problems in the Western Cape and teenage pregnancies. It is also important to highlight achievers in your region on a regular basis. This includes featuring a local football team winning their league to ordinary people achieving wonders against all odds.
3. Give us a short synopsis of Good Hope FM's highlights throughout your history. Ficks: Good Hope FM was launched in 1965 as Radio Good Hope FM/Radio Goeie Hoop, a regional radio station of the SABC. Some of the earliest presenters include Andre Walters and Riaan Cruywagen. Radio Good Hope FM then launched Radio Kontrei, which was later renamed KFM and sold to Primedia. A major shift happened in the mid-1990s as more radio licences were issued and Good Hope FM had to operate in a much more competitive environment. The station has been positioned to target the 16- to 34-year-old market with contemporary music and content. This strategy has paid off as it forced Good Hope FM to re-invent itself for every new generation of listeners.
4. Part of that is your new weekend show 'The Full House', with celebrity, dancer, actor and TV presenter, Lalla Hirayama and entertainer, entrepreneur and writer, Taryn Louch as co-hosts. Interesting that they're part of the Cape team yet based in Johannesburg... What can listeners expect? 
Ficks: Yes, we are thrilled that they have joined the Good Hope FM team, and with them being based in Johannesburg it is a nice fit for our strategy to integrate a broader audience and ties in nicely with Good Hope FM now being available to listen to nationally on DSTV channel 903. Listeners should tune in weekly for their show 'The Full House' from 9am to noon. Listeners can expect lots of fun, high energy and excellent radio value as the two 'hot and happening' ladies will deliver all the latest gossip and industry news, first hand.
That's certainly lots to celebrate, but Good Hope FM's spreading the cheer - in addition to their own birthday celebrations, the Good Hope FM team is running a 'Souper Heroes' drive this month, aimed at donating 67 litres of soup for Madiba Day. There will also be a big '5.0 Gold' themed birthday party for listeners and VIPs, but hold your horses on that count as details are still to come.
Keep an ear out for more by tuning into 94 to 97FM, listening live online or follow their Twitter feed by clicking here.
