KNOWN for her cheerful voice and bubbly personality, Algoa FM’s Roch-Lè Bloem celebrates ten years behind the mic and looks back on a dream made reality.
“I was 7 years old when I fell in love with broadcasting. I would always pretend to be a radio or tv presenter. For my 7th birthday, all I wanted was my own little portable radio. My parents bought me a radio, one that had a cassette and CD player function. While I was playing around with all the buttons, I discovered I could record myself speaking over the cassettes. So I took my dad’s box of cassettes and recorded myself speaking over most of them. I would read and talk about celeb gossip from People magazine, pretending to be this cool radio presenter that can hook you up with the right info. My dad then lent one of his cassettes to a friend and he got a call saying, ‘I think you gave me the wrong cassette, but tell your daughter she sounds good, she’s going to go far on the radio’. Years go by, and now I’m on commercial radio as a presenter with my own prime-time show,” she reminisces.
Her family has been a big driving force for her, noticing her talent from a young age and supporting her.
“For most families, sport would bring them together, whereas with my family it was music and dancing. Growing up, we would always listen to the radio on our way to school. On Friday nights my dad would either put the radio on or play music from his wide selection of CDs- all genres and all eras, and we would dance and sing to every tune. Sundays would always be radio Sundays because the stations would play Jazz, RnB, or oldies for us to enjoy. So radio has always been there.”
Bloem has a BA degree in Media, Communications, and Culture as well as a BA Honours Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Nelson Mandela University and, although she has incredibly supportive parents, she was not always sure if her dreams would materialise.
The radio host, who has interviewed global superstars such as Rita Ora and Craig David, started in community radio. But at the end of her fourth year, she saw a bit of a dead end. Her bags were practically packed for a move to Japan when she received a message from the programmes manager of Algoa FM.
“He said, ‘I’ve heard a lot about you, I’ve listened, what’s your number?’ I threw that application for the Japan position away so quickly,” she says with a laugh, adding that she went for the interview and got the job on the spot.
“I had to leave Bay FM the same week of the interview to start at Algoa FM the following month.
“I always think about that moment and ask myself ‘What if I gave up?’ I would have missed this amazing opportunity. I wouldn’t have been where I am today. It’s a powerful message to myself and many others to continue to fight for your dreams and lift yourself up even when you feel discouraged,” said Bloem, who refers to her three years hosting the drive show with Roland Gaspar as a career highlight.
Talking about what she was surprised to find out about her industry, she notes the pressure there is to always be credible, not only behind the mic but outside of the studio too.
“What we say and do is a reflection on not only us but the station we work for. It’s a reflection of the character you’ve shared with the world on air, so the pressure would be to remain authentic but still be aware of what we say and do in accordance with being a public figure.”
As someone who runs her own communications and media company, mentors young girls, and is a public speaker and therefore a public figure, Bloem acknowledges the dark side of the industry.
“There is an indirect expectation from your fans/followers/listeners and your workplace to share your life with them whether it be on social media or on-air. They want to connect with you and you need to be open to sharing your world with them. This is also the reason why I keep my private life – private. I’m willing to share everything, just not my home life – it’s my sanctuary. It’s a decision my husband and I made a few years back when I started at Algoa FM.”
Bloem also mentions being misunderstood and judged while in the public eye, can have an effect on mental health.
” We constantly need to remind ourselves and others that we are only human. So what you say can hurt. Not everyone is happy with your achievements, growth, and the lessons you’ve learnt along your life journey so it becomes an added challenge and constant reminder to keep your head up, do YOU, and ingest only the positive,” she says.
The broadcaster with the contagious laugh and vivacious personality, known for posting behind-the-scenes clips of her dancing along to her favourite music while on the air, says that although there is no off button for broadcasters who are constantly bombarded with negative news, it is important to keep a level head.
” The challenge is to mentally and emotionally detach ourselves from the emotional element and rather focus on the facts,” says Bloem.
Although Bloem celebrates ten years behind the mic this year, she has been in the entertainment industry for 15 years, having worked as a TV presenter and media lecturer in the past.
“I like a challenge and I can take the pressure. I kind of thrive off it. However, in my opinion, I feel that if people just think before they speak and do, live life with joy, peace, and kindness, the world will be a better place,” she says.
When asked what she had to say to the version of herself who started the radio journey ten years ago she said, “You are a superstar in the making, don’t give up, and don’t let anyone stop you from following your dreams!”
You can catch Roch-Lè Bloem on Algoa FM hosting the weekday morning show from nine to 12 and Saturdays from 12 to 3 pm. Follow her behind-the-scenes journey on @rochlebloemsa on FB, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
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