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12 February 2018 Photo Supplied
Get your blend of rock and legal with the Kovsie FM Breakfast Show
Richard and Fifi from the Kovsie FM Breakfast Show
Richard Chemaly completed a BCom degree at the University of the Free State (UFS) in 2010 before he enrolled for an LLB, and is currently doing an LLM in legal philosophy. He was also a familiar face on campus as SRC President. After jetting around the world, Richard is back in Bloemfontein. Since becoming a DJ for the Breakfast Show at Kovsie FM, he is now responsible for starting the day for listeners on a good note.

Blending law and entertainment fell into my lap. After locking up my Hillbrow apartment, I travelled for a year, accidentally fell in love and moved back to Bloemfontein. Nobody wanted to hire me. Could have been my unconventional Facebook presence, or appearing on ANN7… I don’t know. I was already in the entertainment field because one of my business partners and I started a beer distribution company, which got us a lot of free beer. We then realised that if we started an entertainment blog, which we did, we’d get free access to cool parties, which we did. It just made sense to venture into entertainment law, which suited my personality.

Radio was never my thing, and I have always regretted that. Music was always my thing, though, so the transition was easy. My co-host, Fifi, is my polar opposite. As a young black female who likes old R&B, trap and alternative pop, she brings everything I can’t as an old, hairy Lebanese punk-rocking dude. The dynamic is incredible.

I’m a big lover of mornings and I try to get in an early morning jog and hunting for geocaches before I aim to make even the grumpiest morning listener smile. With an exceptional knowledge of current affairs, it is easy to get across to our diverse listenership. Quick wit and my co-presenter also help! The Breakfast Show sets the tone for the day, and we get good feedback.

I would still like to take over the Musicon and become a pilot. 

News Archive

Childhood passion becomes a successful career
2016-12-19

Description: Dr Thapelo Makae Tags: Dr Thapelo Makae 

Dr Makae took up his studies at the South Campus
of the UFS, and now serves as a community vet in Tshwane.
Photo: Anja Aucamp


Dr Thapelo Makae’s youthful passion has been a driving force in his chosen career. He says: “Like any veterinarian, my love for animals started from childhood. Growing up, I always asked myself why animals didn’t have doctors like we kids did, when our pets fell ill or died.” While veterinary services were unknown where he was raised in the Phelindaba location in Mangaung, Bloemfontein, Dr Makae started doing his own research as early as Standard 1 (Grade 3). He affirms, “I’ve always wanted to help these creatures that, it seemed, no one could help.”

Having started his academic journey on the South Campus in the CPP (as the University Preparation Programme was then known), Dr Makae obtained an undergraduate degree in Agriculture, later completing an honours degree in Agriculture. “It was at this stage,” he says, “that I was recruited by Prof Johan Greyling and the late Dr Luis Schwalbach. With their support, I completed my MSc Agric, besides having the opportunity to be a junior lecturer in Animal Physiology. Dr Schwalbach was my supervisor, my mentor, and a veterinarian himself, and I worked very closely with him. He encouraged me to pursue my passion and the dream to go ahead and study Veterinary Medicine.”

Realising that dream, Dr Makae is now employed at the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as a community veterinarian. Among his many responsibilities, he is charged with serving the communities of the Tshwane Metro, where he visits farmers, assisting them with health and vaccination plans, and providing advice to help them develop their skills.

Dr Makae also seeks opportunities to pass on his dream. “What I am most passionate about is going to schools and giving talks to schoolchildren, especially those from previously disadvantaged communities, who might not know much about Veterinary Medicine,” he says.

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