‘Views and News’ with Clarence

RADIO veteran Clarence Ford is looking forward to finding his voice and strength as he engages with listeners on his new CapeTalk show, Views and News.

Ford will take over the 9am to noon slot from Lester Kiewit from October 3. Kiewit is the new host of the talk station’s morning drive show.

Ford hopes to share his passion for inclusive and social history.

“I keep my feet on the ground and remain abreast of what happens in communities. We need to explore our existence in values and at a subatomic level.

“Much of that will be covered in my show.”

He added: “I do not want to change much from Lester’s show, but I know that I can’t be him.

“I need to find my voice and work around my strengths.”

The former Heart FM presenter said he was both excited and petrified about taking on his new role. “I have been listening to the radio station since its inception in 1997. I love how it has expanded my horizons.

“I received a lot of show preparation in my radio career just by listening to content on this radio station,” he continued.

“I always thought CapeTalk was for people that are more clever than

I am. I am ready to walk this journey and excited to see where it takes me.”

Ford said the Weekend Argus article about his departure from Heart FM created this career opportunity.

“I thought it was necessary at the time for me to talk about it. I was fired 10 minutes before going on air, and I had to keep my composure and professional stature,” he said.

“Once the story was published, I had multiple calls and offers and one of them was a call from CapeTalk as a stand-in presenter,” he said.

In April, Ford stood in for Kiewit when he took leave.

“It was something I always wanted to try. I guess I must have done okay to be called back on a more permanent basis,” he said.

When Ford was offered the job, he initially turned it down as he did not want to take away from the existing CapeTalk programme.

“I said no. I listen to all the shows, and it’s a part of my life. I look forward to taking a drive anywhere because when I get into my car, I listen to CapeTalk,” he said.

“I thought, how can you rip my day apart in this manner and expect me to replace that vacuum?”

Ford said he told CapeTalk station manager Tessa van Staden that if anyone was leaving the group, he would not accept the offer.

One of his current projects is an online radio station named Catch the

Wave, which he will continue.

“We are testing the future of radio. We want to reach a broader audience with a variety of interests,” he said.

Ford described his time off-air from commercial radio as one big lesson.

“I believe that everything happens for a reason. The most difficult part was not getting a salary. I needed to hustle and put things into place in my life,” he said.

“I’ve done quite a bit of small business work, and I will continue to nurture it in my spare time.”

Over the span of his 32-year-long career, Ford attributed his success to having a razor-sharp focus on his goals.

“I always wanted to be a radio presenter.

“When I started, white presenters were afforded more opportunities. I was motivated because I saw Dmitri Jegels on air and he looked like me,” he said.

“I was working as a manager in retail, but I knew I wanted to be in radio. It’s important to believe in yourself; believe in yourself and things will conspire in your favour.”

His message to his listeners is that he will always be the same on-air and off-air.

“I don’t see my role on-air as different to my interactions off-air. Those interactions have empowered me to enjoy whatever success I’ve enjoyed on radio,” he said.

“Do the journey with me. I am not scared to be vulnerable. I love laughing at myself and there are things I will stand firm on. Help me grow the space, I’ve been afforded a space where we can all grow.”

Kiewit said he grew up with the radio always being on.

“There have always been two constants: CapeTalk and Clarence Ford wherever he was on air,” he said.

He continued: “Clarence’s nose for news and conversation, and his deep, personal and passionate knowledge of Cape Town and its 4.5 million residents is a major gain for CapeTalk.”

Van Staden said Ford was insatiably curious about the world and people.

“He asks questions because he wants to understand others and broaden his own world view,” she said.

“Clarence is not afraid to ask the tough questions. He is incredibly generous and gracious and we look forward to walking this new talk journey with him.”