20in140: CapeTalk celebrates 20 years of talk radio in the Mother City

The station - considered a reliable, trustworthy and caring member of the family by its audience - has progressed greatly from the late 90s start-up at the then Pepper Street studios. The station took to air with actor John Maytham behind the microphone on the morning of 14 October 1997.

The station has amassed a loyal terrestrial and online audience - 92,000 terrestrial and 192,00 on Twitter and is known for providing credible and balanced news, while challenging those in power.

Some of the most iconic media personalities have called the CapeTalk studio home and continue to remember their time with the station as one of the highlights of their careers. Famous CapeTalk voices then and now include Kieno Kammies, Pippa Hudson, Martin Bailie, Mike Wills, Aden Thomas, Lisa Chait, Nigel Pierce and Bobby Brown.

These personalities and their memories of the iconic stories of the past two decades have flooded the airwaves this month. Videos of the personalities have been shared on social media and online. The 20in140 campaign reflects the top twenty stories covered by CapeTalk since 1997 including the Planet Hollywood restaurant bombing, the Sizzlers massacre, the Table Mountain fire and the passing of Nelson Mandela.

“CapeTalk is passionate about sharing information in a way that enables our audience to improve or simplify their lives. Listeners tune in to learn to something, to keep up to date with news, to broaden their perspectives or because they want companionship. We felt it fitting to celebrate our birthday month by reflecting on some of the stories and personalities who’ve helped us do just that. Twenty years ago, we asked residents of this city – and beyond - to join in the conversation with us. We look forward to the next twenty,” said CapeTalk programme manager Tessa van Staden.

20in140 can be sampled on-air Monday to Friday at 8:10am on the Kieno Kammies show and viewed thereafter on social media and the CapeTalk website.

Some of the story highlights include:

1998 - Bobby Brown - Planet Hollywood bombing
2000 - Lisa Chait and Monique Strydom - Monique and Kallie hostage drama in the Philippines
2001 - Martin Bailie - 9/11 terror attacks
2003 - Nigel Pierce - Sizzlers Massacre
2005 - Nissa Allie – Baby Jordan-Leigh Norton murder
2010 - Aden Thomas - FIFA 2010 world cup
2013 - Africa Melane - Passing of Nelson Mandela

20in140 video can be viewed here: www.capetalk.co.za/features/217/cape-talk-20-capetalk20-birthday.

Listen to John Maytham’s debut 1997 broadcast. [MP3]