As we are celebrating 60 years of Umhlobo Wenene FM get to know me, Esona Funeka better<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. <\/strong>Define Esona to us<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My name is Esona Funeka. I was born and bred in East London. I am the second of three children (my twin sister and younger brother). I am the host of Umhlobo Wenene\u2019s evening Current Affairs show, Apha Naphaya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. <\/strong>Who inspired you to love radio and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I fell in love with radio when I was still studying towards my National Diploma in Journalism at the now Nelson Mandela University, where I majored in radio and television broadcast. As part of our practical studies, we had to develop our own radio shows with our own unique content. I also had the opportunity to be part of Madibaz Radio during that time, where I was the afternoon-drive show English and isiXhosa newsreader. I had the opportunity to meet seasoned radio personality Lulu Haarmans and her producer Khayakazi Koto who further ignited my love for radio. I later moved on to join community radio station Bay FM, as a weekend breakfast co-host as well as newsreader before I was given the opportunity to be part of this prestigious national radio station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. <\/strong>What does radio mean to you and what drives you to do what you do?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To me radio means the opportunity to share information and knowledge on issues that speak directly to and affect our people. It is not only a platform to entertain and engage, but very importantly, to empower our people\/ audience. After all, knowledge is power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. <\/strong>If you were not on radio, what would you be doing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before joining Umhlobo Wenene I was involved with the Eastern Cape Community television station Bay TV, where I had the opportunity to explore in-depth the field of Journalism. I was working as a news anchor, reporter, video editor, producer, camera operator and voice over artist all at the same time! That is when I decided that I did not want to be limited in terms of what my skills are as a journalist. If not on radio, I would\u2019ve been doing something else in the field of journalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. <\/strong>What would you like people to remember about you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I worked hard to get to where I am, I wasn\u2019t simply handed opportunities in life. Also I am a firm believer that if it is meant to be yours, nothing can stand in the way of you getting it. I am a passionate hard worker who thrives when challenged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. <\/strong>State 5 facts that we don\u2019t know about you<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 I am a believer in Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 I am a surprise child! My parents didn\u2019t know they were having twins, even the doctors didn\u2019t see me coming until everyone got the shock of their lives on the 15th<\/sup> of November at 11h54.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 I don\u2019t like being alone (maybe it\u2019s because I have never been alone, not even in the womb!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 I absolutely love to sing! And I hate it when people cannot harmonize because I can sing in Soprano, Alto and Tenor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 I hate cleaning. BUT I\u2019ll cook and I\u2019ll wash the dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. <\/strong>What\u2019s your favorite \u201990s song that you still listen to?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Without a doubt, Vicky Sampson\u2019s Afrikan Dream!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. <\/strong>What is the best gift you’ve ever received?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hope. Faith. Love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. <\/strong>What are your social media handles?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I had to think twice about this one. Lol, I\u2019m not big on social media, BUT I\u2019m working on it! It\u2019s Esona Funeka on Facebook and _esodi on Instagram<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10. <\/strong>What role has Umhlobo Wenene FM played in your life?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n First and most importantly UWFM has given me a job in this time of job scarcity and a high unemployment rate. I\u2019m truly grateful. The station has also given me a voice and a platform to showcase my talent, and to do my bit in helping to uplift my community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11. <\/strong>Umhlobo Wenene FM turns 60 years this year: what does being part of this massive and successful brand mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is certainly a privilege to be part of this brand, and to know that I have also contributed – in whatever small way – to the success of this station. I am proud to be associated with Umhlobo Wenene!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12. <\/strong>Give us 5 of your clan name?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n MaTshezi omhle, uMaTenza, uSaliwa, uMkhabela, uCetshane, uMkhont\u2019obomvu! <\/p>\n\n\n\n 13. <\/strong>What is your favourite traditional meal?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Umngqusho! Ndiwubawela ngoku.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 14. <\/strong>Last but not least : give us a message for your listeners<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Enkosi kakhulu ngothando nenkxaso eniyi nika esi sikhululo. Please keep supporting Umhlobo Wenene FM because we do this for you; to keep you updated, empowered and entertained. And we are nothing without you!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":6006,"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"class_list":["post-4159","presenter","type-presenter","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"show_id":[922],"x_social_media_link":"","instagram_social_link":"","tik_tok_social_link":"","facebook_social_link":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umhlobowenenefm.co.za\/umhlobowenenefm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/presenter\/4159","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umhlobowenenefm.co.za\/umhlobowenenefm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/presenter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umhlobowenenefm.co.za\/umhlobowenenefm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/presenter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umhlobowenenefm.co.za\/umhlobowenenefm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4159"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.umhlobowenenefm.co.za\/umhlobowenenefm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/presenter\/4159\/revisions"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umhlobowenenefm.co.za\/umhlobowenenefm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/show\/922"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umhlobowenenefm.co.za\/umhlobowenenefm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6006"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umhlobowenenefm.co.za\/umhlobowenenefm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}