Cape Talk is more than 702-speak, says the programme manager in an interview with Hazel Friedman
Radio 702 – South Africa’s most successful commercial broadcaster – has spread its proverbial wings to the land of the mountain, sea and celebritydom in the form of Cape Talk Radio.
And spearheading the launch which takes place on October 14 is the station’s recently appointed programme manager Brett Hilton-Barber, former news editor of 702. Widely touted as the station’s golden boy, Hilton-Barber is understandably buoyant about his new appointment. And he’ll be timeously tapping into the transformations that have suddenly turned the mother city into the mistress of self-reinvention.
“We’re not simply transplanting 702 in the Cape,” explains Hilton-Barber. “Although the news and talk-back format will remain essentially the same, Cape Talk will be adapted to the more laid-back nature of the city while plugging into the intrigue.
“Capetonians are an opinionated bunch but they’re more interested in cultural issues than in doom and gloom coverage,” he points out. Which makes Cape Town the perfect hunting ground for the newly repositioned Radio 702, with its shift away from hard in-yer-face news to a more entertainment- oriented format. And like it’s Gauteng counterpart, Cape Talk plans to avoid the populist approach in favour of niche marketing. Make that upmarketing.
“The fact that we’re based in the city centre will keep us in touch with issues affecting the city, while helping to maintain a cosmopolitan outlook. We’re not going to stay in traditional comfort zones.
“We’ll use an eyewitness approach to news and issues, covering everything from Cape Town’s reputation as the world’s red-light district to good old-fashioned fish’n’chips stories. Call it peri-peri in the peninsula.”
* The planned Cape Talk radio format is as follows: the early morning slot will be occupied by John Maytham (formerly from SAfm) and The Independent’s Les Aupiais, who will provide a mix of news and entertainment. This will be followed at 9am by Martin Jordison, formerly from Radio Good Hope, who will serve as the Cape counterpart of 702’s John Robbie, focusing on hard news. The agony aunt slot will be taken by lifeline counsellor Lisa Chiat at midday, followed by Gaye Davis and Trevor Davids in the quirkily titled Gaye and Sister in which the Mail & Guardian’s political writer banters with sister – a golf-playing coloured transvestite. From 7pm Cape Talk will share transmission with Radio 702.