20 Years of Hope: How Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels Became South Africa’s Radio Heartbeat

If you’ve ever tuned into Breakfast with Martin Bester on a Wednesday morning, chances are you’ve had a lump in your throat. For the past two decades, Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels has quietly, and sometimes not so quietly, transformed lives across South Africa.

From funding life-saving surgeries to rebuilding homes lost in disasters, this weekly radio segment has become much more than a feel-good feature. It is a movement celebrating its 20th year of pure South African heart.

A legacy built on kindness and radio magic

Launched in 2005, Good Morning Angels has evolved from a small radio kindness act to a nationwide force of compassion. What sets it apart is not only the scale of its giving but also the personal connection. Listeners do not just hear the stories; they feel them. More importantly, they act.

Jacaranda FM managing director Vuyani Dombo aptly describes it as “the beating heart of Jacaranda FM.” In 2024 alone, their annual Golf Day fundraiser raised over R4.85 million to support people and families facing crisis.

The initiative’s strength lies in its village-like approach. Whether a corporate donor provides equipment or an everyday listener pledges R100, the stories aired each week generate a tidal wave of support. This uniquely South African spirit is ubuntu, wrapped in a radio signal.

Martin Bester, the voice behind the impact

Long-time host Martin Bester, who has brought these stories to the public’s attention, speaks with sincere gratitude: “Every Monday and Wednesday, we’re reminded just how powerful collective kindness can be.”

It is not merely about donations. It is the ripple effect: how paying one child’s school fees may lead to a future doctor, how a donated wheelchair restores dignity, or how rebuilding a home renews hope for a family.

Why it still matters, especially now

In a country where the cost of living is high, inequality is stark, and government safety nets often fall short, Good Morning Angels fills an essential gap. It operates with dignity and humility, avoiding sensationalism while amplifying resilience.

Listeners in Gauteng and beyond see the segment not only as a tear-jerker but also as a symbol of what radio can achieve when it stops talking at people and starts listening to them.

The next chapter: Two decades and counting

With 20 years behind them and a special Monday edition added in celebration, Good Morning Angels is not slowing down. If anything, it is doubling down.

Stories continue to pour in and help keep it flowing. Every week, South Africans are reminded that no matter the challenges, a community stands ready to lift someone up.

Also read: Decoding the Gen Z Stare: Is Silence the New Attitude?

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com

Source: TimesLIVE

Featured Image: South Africa Today