Ray White off to greener pastures

According to White, Telkom Media has offered him a job which he is starting on 1 April 2008. “New pay channels will open a lot of opportunities for journalist. In the past people didn't have options; the SABC controlled everything. I am going to help Telkom Media with setting up a television and radio newsroom and will be working on their online publication.”

White joined the SABC in 1993 after completing his national diploma in journalism. He took over the Rise and Rock Breakfast Show on Radio 2000 in March last year, co-presenting it with presenter Nicole da Silva.

"The main core of the show has been the music. We have played rock tunes from yester-year and today – music that is not played on other stations. The show's popularity grew to countrywide proportions,” says White.

Music format to change again

Ray White and Radio 2000 will be parting ways as the music format of the station is to change once again and this time White cannot follow.

“In September the powers-that-be changed the music on the station to a more widespread adult contemporary one. After three online petitions, various Facebook groups and hundreds of emails, things managed to settle down. We also injected more into the show by raising issues facing South Africans – sensitive or not. This has led to heated debate, mixed with good music the show continued to grow. The battle for good rock continued though with the Breakfast Show determined to give the public what they wanted.

“Our listeners showed diversity, with listeners from all racial groups becoming involved in the battle for good rock. Afrikaans music on the station was also called into question. Steve Hofmeyer was our guest two weeks later and we featured on his blog,” adds White

"It is because of my passion for rock and pop and the fact that this forms the core of my show that I cannot continue. It's a pity because there is definitely a market for rock and pop with most commercial stations, not exploring the full potential of these areas".