14 Sep 2026

He may call into many radio stations across the country, but for Kegane Direlang, there is only one true home: Radio Botswana 1 (RB1).

For decades, Mr Direlang has been one of RB1’s most loyal, iconic and recognisable regular caller. The moment he appears in public; people rush to get a glimpse of the man behind the familiar voice that has kept the airwaves abuzz for years.

“Radio is my best friend and I never leave it wherever I go. I always tune in to hear programmes of the day and night,” he said with a smile. Whereas he admits to calling other stations from time to time, his heart belongs to RB1.

His love for the national broadcaster was on full display during the station’s recent countrywide roadshows to celebrate 60 years of Independence.

Mr Direlang travelled with the team throughout the country, ensuring he was visible and vocal at every stop.

One of the most emotional moments for him came in Matsiloje, the home village of the late and popular Radio Botswana announcer, Phillip ‘Mokgankgara’ Moshotle.

“It was a painful moment for me because Mokgankgara came from this village. It is like he was broadcasting live from his own village,” he recalled.

A true custodian of RB1’s history, Mr Direlang remembers many of his departed colleagues in the art of phoning-in. These include the late Mr and Mrs Mhlongo, and the late Keolopile Dithatho from Tshane. The group would ‘rock’ RB1 the whole night on the Kalola Matlho night programme before switching to other radio stations the following day.

 

Where they got the money to buy airtime remains a secret, but one thing is certain: they featured on every station and on every topic.

“Dithatho would claim that he bought P200 worth of airtime per day just for calling,” Direlang said.

Their passion was so strong that, he said they even formed their own association of callers so that their voices could be heard.

Some radio announcers admitted that Mr Direlang was difficult to cut off the line even when his time had expired and others were waiting.

Over the years, he paid tribute to both former and current Radio Botswana presenters and announcers who shaped his journey.

He mentioned the late Mokgankgara, as well as Henry Lechuti, Michael Kaote, the late Thuso ‘Thozoski’ Letlhoma, the late Brooks ‘Maboroboro’ Monnaanoka, and Lesego Kgajwane.

Among news readers, he singled out former Justice Gaolekwe, Boemo Dibeela-Nyadza, and Kgajwane as outstanding voices that deepened his love for the station.

Direlang, one of the few remaining veteran callers, said he depeneds on the goodwill of individuals and companies who appreciated his passion for radio.

The station, he noted, started broadcasting before Independence from Mafikeng in South Africa, before moving to Lobatse and eventually to Gaborone, and has carried Batswana through different challenges and achievements.

Believing that presenters deserve more public recognition, he suggested that the Department of Broadcasting Services should produce a poster with photos of producers and announcers, so that listeners could know and appreciate them.

He also proposed that RB1 should establish a platform to honour loyal callers like himself with awards for their immense contribution over the years.

He further commended the DailyNews paper, a sister publication under the Department of Information Services, for its growth since Independence.

“The paper has improved both its content, appearance and professionalism,” he said.

To hi, radio is more than entertainment. It is companionship, history, and identity. And for RB1, he remains the voice that listeners grew up with, the caller who turned tuning-in into a way of life. ENDS