T Bоse reveals why 20 years at Kaya 959 almost didn’t happen
· Citizen
Thabo “T Bоse” Mokwele has opened up about the career lesson that changed his relationship with radio and ultimately helped him remain at Kaya 959 for two decades.
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The veteran radio personality reflected on his journey after spending four months at home after losing his radio gig at Metro FM.
For T Bоse, the time away from the microphone was more than an unexpected break. He realised his success had made him too comfortable, and he was no longer pushing himself to bring fresh ideas and energy to his shows.
During this period, he reflected on how he had stopped preparing with the same dedication as before and admitted he had relied too much on his experience instead of innovating.
This realisation made him determined to approach every broadcast as if it could be his last, always staying curious and committed to giving his best.
‘I started taking it for granted’Speaking on Kaya 959 about the experience, T Bоse admitted that losing the contract was partly his own doing.
“The reason I lost the contract was partly my doing. I could see that I dropped the ball because being on the radio was quite easy for me, and so I started taking it for granted and focusing on other things,” he said.
According to the broadcaster, those four months away from radio made him realise just how important the medium was to him.
He decided that his show and the microphone needed to become his priority, regardless of what other opportunities came his way.
“I decided to prioritise radio over everything. If you want to meet me, you must wait for me to finish my show first,” he said.
He also pointed out that although a radio show may take only about three hours, the commitment is comparable to a traditional nine-to-five job when you consider everything around the show.
That mindset meant turning down opportunities that interfered with his time on air, even when the financial rewards were tempting.
Why T Bоse chose Kaya
After clocking exactly 20 years at Kaya 959, the broadcaster said he had received other offers but ultimately chose to remain where he felt a genuine sense of belonging.
“Nothing feels greater than the feeling of belonging. Being a part of something feels great. This is the place, man, and I can see myself in it,” he said.
His relationship with the Joburg-based station has survived changing seasons, management shifts, and the inevitable uncertainty that comes with the media industry.
T Bоse admitted that management changes can still make him anxious because of experiences from the past.
Yet, after two decades, his loyalty to Kaya remains clear.
For a broadcaster who once learned the hard way not to take the microphone for granted, T Bоse’s story is a reminder that sometimes losing something can make you appreciate exactly what you have.
Listen to the podcast for the full conversation on T Bоse’s 20 years at Kaya 959.