We caught up with Schwarp who tells us more about the change and how he's been focusing on all these upcoming projects.
If this year has taught me anything, it's that the world evolves, priorities change and so we as people need to do the same. So after being offered to continue to host my show, I decided that after two and a half years in the same seat, it’s time to close this specific chapter.
I’m grateful that since I started my commercial and corporate career in 2014, I get to wear multiple professional hats: digital strategist, columnist, TV producer and host, podcaster, multimedia journalist and more recently writer. The latter and my role as digital lead at Jacaranda FM will be top priority.
Jacaranda FM has shown significant growth in our online users in the last two years. In 2019 we dominated the South African radio digital space as the most visited website for a South African radio station. Six months into 2020, we still hold this top spot for a music format radio station. Taking my growing portfolio as digital lead, as well as my writing and upcoming TV commitments into consideration, wrapping up my Jacaranda FM radio shows just made the most sense.
Nick Grubb 14 Jan 2019
I’ve been working on air since 2011. The thing about hosting shows for nine years straight (across different stations) is that it becomes part of who you are and how you engage with what is happening in the world.
Since starting ‘Weekends with Renaldo Schwarp’ in February 2018, it has grown from strength to strength, not just based on audience numbers but from a commercial perspective as well. To say it was a blast would be a massive understatement! The Jacaranda FM audience has a tendency to grow on one quite quickly, so it will be a while before I get used to spending my weekends without them.
I’m sure I’ll be back behind the mic in the next few years, but being a fully-fledged 'slasher', I’m excited about the move (I hopefully also get to fully enjoy sleeping in on a Sunday morning).
We truly have an amazing audience, extremely engaged and always ready to help. We see it every time we set out to help those in need with our Good Morning Angels initiatives. It’s rewarding to serve an audience like that. I might be biased, but we really are a kick-ass team. Great leadership and some really skilled individuals making sure the station evolves as we navigate the current pandemic and life post-Covid.
It’s evolution... In my line of work, there is no time to get complacent, bored or set in your ways. Over the years I’ve created a few awesome things for a variety of platforms and being able to share stories on radio, television and online is extremely fulfilling.I turned my passion into a paycheque.It’s a lot of hard work, but so much fun!
Any career highlights you’re particularly proud of?The notion of creating work that is truly meaningful and representative has become quite important for me. I started to consciously make this shift just before I produced Skeef: Die Dokumentêr in 2018 and the results have been amazing.
At the start of 2020, the opportunity to write a book presented itself to me. Without giving too much away, the book is roughly based on my documentary, Skeef. It’s one of the projects that I’m most excited about, mainly because it is a new challenge. Writing a book is no mean feat, but the process has been lovely so far; a lot of late nights, copious amounts of coffee and zoom interviews. I’m excited to see the book on the shelves by mid-2021.
What are you most looking forward to/enjoying so far?I’m truly enjoying seeing how the pandemic has forced brands to lean into digital and how we as media professionals had to relook our approach to serving our audiences.
Consumers are more open to digital offerings during the pandemic, this places an increased value on digital experiences. As a digital native, l have always had a reverence for periods of change – if managed correctly, it leads to innovation and growth. But to innovate and grow, change is required in culture, in strategy and in the way of working.
What’s at the top of your to-do list (at work)?We are living in such uncertain times: job losses, business closures and millions of children are bearing the brunt of an unprecedented pause in their education. Issues that all affect our audiences. Top of the to-do list for me and my team is realigning our digital content strategies to reflect the (new) needs of our audience, and relooking events and virtual experiences.
They Called Me Queer, a book curated by Kim Windvogel and Kelly-Eve Koopman. It’s a fascinating compilation of essays and poems that highlight the experiences of LGBTIQA+ South Africans. Netflix's recently released documentary, Disclosure is also extremely insightful and a must-watch.
I believe in working hard, but I believe in indulging even harder. It’s how I maintain a balance.
Connect with Schwarp on LinkedIn and/or follow him on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
