MUT Radio is entering a new era following the imminent departure of its foundational Technical Manager, Ntokozo Buthelezi. A cornerstone of the campus broadcaster since its inception five years ago, Buthelezi has wrapped up his tenure whose behind-the-scenes expertise kept the station running seamlessly 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Throughout his five years with the station, Buthelezi was the quiet force driving MUT Radio’s on-air quality. His extensive technical duties included producing the station’s promotional content, cutting and mastering podcast audio, compiling music rotations, and maintaining the vital broadcasting infrastructure that connected the station to its listeners.
Buthelezi’s stay at the MUT Radio is defined as a legacy of strict professionalism and high work ethic. Reflecting on his departure, MUT Radio Programme Manager Awethu Kelese shared a personal look into what it was like working alongside the technical expert. Kelese, who re-joined the station in 2023 under Buthelezi’s management, recalls a leader who held his team to incredibly high standards. “He was very strict when it came to work, especially when submitting content for my show so he could create promos,” Kelese said.
That perspective deepened in October 2024 when Kelese moved into the main station office full-time, experiencing firsthand the intense, high-pressure environment of keeping a radio station live around the clock. “I fully understood the amount of pressure and responsibility that came with the role,” Kelese reflected. “We worked very well together. Buthelezi’s work ethic is truly out of this world. We could be friends outside of work, but when it came to work, it was time to work, nothing personal,” said Kelese.
According to Kelese, one of Buthelezi’s most lasting contributions to the team was instilling a culture of rigorous, professional communication. “One of the biggest lessons Ntokozo taught me was the importance of communication,” Kelese noted. “Even if something had already been discussed verbally, he would still ask you to send an email and copy all relevant people to ensure that communication was always clear and professional.”
For the close-knit team at the broadcaster, losing a founding member who helped build the station’s technical framework from day one is no small shift. Describing the departure as a “bittersweet moment,” Kelese expressed the collective sentiment of the station as they watch a trusted colleague move on to his next chapter. “It is a bittersweet moment seeing him leave the station. I wish him nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavours.”