The Highest-Paid Radio Presenters in South Africa

The pay in South African radio can be quite disparate, with some presenters earning as little as 1,000 to 2,000 rand per month while others take home half a million a month. In this article, we focus on the highest earners as we bring you the top 10 highest-paid radio presenters in South Africa.

10. C Cheese Boy

C Cheese Boy is one of the most controversial media personalities from Gauteng. His career began in 2005 after winning the MTV Base VJ search. He hosted a TV show called “Live” where he walked alongside Bon.

After TV, C joined Y FM and then Radio 702. He’s now the host of “The Weekend Breakfast Show” at K FM and is the highest-paid radio presenter at K FM, earning a little over 180,000 rand per month.

9. Martin Besta

Martin Besta is the host of “The Morning Show” on Jacaranda FM. Besta started walking on radio when he was doing his first year at the University of PE. He then got the opportunity to walk as an announcer at Aloa FM. While still employed at Aloa FM, he got the offer to walk as an announcer at Jacaranda FM. He earns 200,000 rand per month.

8. Tuso

Tuso is one of the most admired radio presenters in the country. He is a presenter at Metro FM and also the host of the television program called “Too Joint City.” Tuso joined City FM in 1983 and has been with the station for 41 years now.

He is known for telling uncomfortable truths and inspiring people to be the best they can be. Because of that, he is one of the highest-paid presenters with an estimated pay of more than 220,000 rand a month.

7. Darren Simpson

Darren Simpson is a presenter and comedian. He was the host of the morning show called “Breakfast Express” on Highveld Stereo, which is now known as 947. He then left Highveld after 15 long years and joined KFM. Simpson has now been the host of the morning show on KFM for the past 6 years and he earns 250,000 rand a month.

6. Tando

After high school, Tando joined the University of Johannesburg, where she found her passion for radio. Tando started her career at UJ FM before moving to the popular youth radio station YFM in 2011.

She has now worked on 14 successful television projects and three radio stations, including the station she’s currently working for, which is 947. Following the exit of DJ Fresh from 947, Tando took over the drive time slot at 3:00 p.m. She now earns 250,000 rand a month.

5. Bani

Bani’s impact extends far beyond just professional achievements. He is a radio and television presenter and one of the finest investigative journalists in the country. Bani is the host of “Breakfast with Bani Bing” on Radio 702.

It’s probably not much of a surprise that he made this list because his show is the most listened-to show on Radio 702, where he started working as a news anchor and progressed to hosting his own show. Uncle Bani earns nothing less than 280,000 rand a month.

4. An

An is a talented radio and television presenter from Tata in the Eastern Cape. She studied politics and international relations at the University of Port Elizabeth. An did not complete her studies because of academic exclusion. However, that did not deter her drive and passion for radio.

After being excluded by the university, An got a small job at a campus radio station, Duk FM. From then on, she joined Highfield Studio, then 5 FM, and kept on going and getting better. An has now been a part of many great radio and television productions. She’s now back at 947, hosting the Morning Show and taking home about 300,000 rand a month.

3. Robert Marawa

Robert Marawa is a sports journalist and radio and television presenter from KwaZulu-Natal. He went to the University of Zululand and studied law but later dropped out. In 1992, the SABC refurbished and relaunched its three channels.

In 1996, Robert Marawa auditioned and was hired as a presenter for SABC. Today, he is a living legend, be it on radio or TV. Marawa signed a lucrative deal with the SABC with an agreed annual salary of 1.8 million rand. By the end of his contract, he would have earned at least 5.5 million rand.

2. DJ Seb

DJ Seb’s real name is Saum J. He studied radio production, and after his studies, he joined Cape Town’s popular radio station, KFM. Shortly after, he got an internship at Highfield Studio and then another internship at Y Academy.

After Y Academy, Seb joined YFM and worked his way to becoming the host of the afternoon Drive show. The Drive show made history as the longest-running Drive show ever within YFM and on all South African radio stations. In 2021, Seb joined Metro FM as the host of “The Weekend Show,” and a year later, he was given a higher position, earning 350,000 rand.

1. Tio Touch

Tio Touch is the host of the afternoon Drive show on Metro FM. He is from Soweto in Johannesburg. He was signed by Death Jam Records in the year 2000, where he would work with the likes of Jay-Z. That’s how Tio’s career as an entertainer began.

Tio was the host of “Life and Times” for many years while still working for Metro FM, earning a salary of 180,000 rand a month. But then he was fired. Metro FM was never the same without Tio, and he was unfairly dismissed. To make things up, Metro FM hired Tio again and jacked up his salary. Tio is now earning a salary of 480,000 rand a month.

Honorable Mentions

– Real to: Known for his smooth voice and engaging personality, Real to has made a significant impact on the South African radio scene. His ability to connect with listeners has earned him a loyal following.

– Real You: With a unique style and approach to radio presenting, Real You has carved out a niche for himself. His innovative programming and interactive segments have set him apart from other presenters.

These presenters have not only become household names but have also secured lucrative salaries due to their talent, hard work, and dedication to the industry. Their success stories inspire many aspiring radio presenters in South Africa and beyond.

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