Kealeboga Dihutso

Kealeboga Dihutso is a straight talker, a man who calls a spade a spade and never shys away from probing whoever to get the truth. 

This is the same man who kept politicians on their toes when he was the host of “The Chair” a weekly show on Duma Fm.

He was at some point accused of being biased and taking sides with other political parties but that did not stop him from doing what he had set out to do.

This week, the well known radio presenter takes Voice reporter, Daniel Kenosi through his life, radio and the future.

Q. Good day Dihutso, Please take us through your daily schedule?

I go to work at around 4am every day, because I am the head of news at Duma Fm which means I am the editor I make sure that the news that air at six are ready.

At around 6:10 I go on air for my morning show called ‘Mayhem’ which runs from six to nine every morning.

After the show I go back to the newsroom and prepare for the mid morning news.

I sometime take a break and go home before proceeding to do my part time jobs; I am a blogger for a local newspaper and a media consultant.

Q. Interesting, I thought you are just a guy who sits behind the mic and do the talking but you seem to have a lot at hand. How do you handle so much work?

Well, in theory it looks like a lot of things but it’s actually one thing.

My blog, being on air and being an editor are essentially the same thing because it’s question of handling same information and same issues but on different platforms.

But I am looking forward to increasing my contribution to the print media where I started my career.

Q. What do you think should be changed about radio now comparing to radio presentation back then?

People no longer want to listen to music on radio. You know with technology, things have changed and people have music on their phones and some even more than what is on the radio music library itself so we should divert from too much music and deal with news.

Q. You became very popular with your political show which used to air on Tuesdays.

How easy was it working with politicians who at some point accused you of taking sides?

For me it was easy. When I was growing up I was always the odd kid, one who was easily hated and it’s something I have grown to be comfortable with.

Even within the family structure I was more like a black sheep so I had no problems being in the minority and had no problems with people resenting what I do.

I was probably the fist in the family to get dreadlocks something which was hated.

At some point I took long to finish school as I was busy with something, also worked for a bank and later quit to join the media and that didn’t impress my family at all.

So I am used to being unpopular and it even works better for me when I am unpopular and annoying everyone.

That’s why I was strict on my show. If I didn’t care much of what my family thought of me when growing up, why I would be shaken by a stranger.

Q. How challenging was it when you had two guests arguing and you being in between?

That wasn’t a problem at all. I am as dishonest as the next man but when it comes to my work I always have a problem with anyone who is dishonest more especially to the media.

The only problem I always encountered were guests who wouldn’t want to come to the studio because I am a straight talker but as soon as they landed in my studio, I took control.

I wouldn’t even mind having our president in my studio.

Q. Talking about the President, the man is snubbing local media but giving audience to  international media houses.

Do you think he will one day give in and let us have a word with him?

It’s funny you bring this up. Well! I personally think he would not have any problem being interviewed by the local media.

He has in fact been interview on Duma FM and by other local papers so we shouldn’t really take it that he hates the local media that much.

Q. Do you regard yourself as a celebrity and do you ever get women throwing themselves at you?

I have never thought of myself as a celebrity and I always feel uncomfortable when people refer to me as such on facebook.

And I never really have women throwing themselves at me, maybe because of my wedding ring that I tend to flash now and then and besides most people know my voice but don’t know the face.

 Q. We hear of radio managers who take advantage of young women who want to explore radio and use their powers to get sexual favours. Are you not one of those?

It’s an unfair accusation in most cases but I would be naive to say I have not seen programme managers and managers in general even in big corporations out there doing such things.

In radio most of these accusations come when ladies who are regarded as bad presenters get the job, that’s when you have people suspecting that the person did something to get the job.

Q. You are very young and married. Please briefly take us into your marriage life.

VISIBLE: Kealeboga Dihutso

I have been married for five years but I don’t really know that at 33 I should be regarded as young.

My wife is my best friend ever in the world. We are very close and we spend most of the time together.

I got married at a very young age and surprised most of my friends who thought I couldn’t make it. Here we are and still going strong.

Q. So what are the plans for the future or you will just remain on radio forever and ever?

I would love to be a media house owner in the near future.

I went to the States not so long ago and I realised that there are a lot of opportunities in this country so I want to squeeze myself in and make money.

It’s very likely that I may not be on radio full time after 2014 and pave for the upcoming young guys.

Q. Where and how did you grow up?

I grew up in Mogoditshane and went to St. Joseph College.

Like I said earlier I was a naughty child when growing up.

I am the only child but this is Botswana and you never know, I may be having siblings somewhere out there.

PROFILE

Name: Kealeboga Dihutso

 Date of birth: 10 Sep 1979

Marital  status:Married

Home village: Mogoditshane

Current read: Destiny Magazine

Dihutso