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Gqeberha's young entertainment personality, Luvuyo Belu, has secured a stop among the Top 10 finalists of SABC’s TruFM TruTalent Search 2024, in the radio presenter category.
No stranger to the city’s vibrant media scene, Belu has been a household name since the tender age of 15, hosting the popular youth show Big1up on Mpuma Kapa TV (previously Bay TV), and award-winning shows on Gqeberha’s community radio stations, Nkqubela FM and Bay FM.
The 26-year-old is also no stranger to talent search competitions, with the most recent being Johannesburg’s 947 radio presenter search in 2021.
“I made it all the way to the finals, and the support I received from people back home was quite pleasantly overwhelming, people who did not even know me told me they were voting for me; some would even send me money, and I felt like the whole city of Gqeberha was just rallying behind one of their own. That was still a win for me,” Belu reminisced.
Under the #LuvuyoHasTruTalent hashtag, Belu’s journey back to radio has commenced, and he is hoping his name will be announced on March 14, so his next radio stint will take off.
His mother, Nomaza Belu, has always been supportive of her bubbly son’s career, since his early school days.
“I started MCing school events in Grade 8, and for me the fascination was that I was allowed to talk freely and loudly, and just do all the things I got in trouble for doing in class. Then it became external, when I got gigs at the youth shows. Through all of that, my mom was super-supportive,” Belu said.
“On some days she’d even tell me I could miss at least one day of school for work,” he giggled. “She understood that that was where I was headed anyway. Even now in my freelancing period, she’s not weird about anything; she does not ask me offensive, intrusive questions. She’s such a huge support for my siblings and me.”
Belu recalled a time at his former high school, Lawson Brown High School, where his business teacher, Natasha Swartz, stood up for him on several occasions, and motivated him to stay true to who he was. Belu would always get in a bit of trouble because of his talkative, outspoken, nature and as a disciplinary measure the school would not make him the MC for some events.
“Every single time, she would fight for me; she really honed my personality and skills. As troublemakers, we all need a Mrs Swartz, to see beyond the trouble and tap into the talent inside; I can never thank her enough,” he said.
Winning the TruFM TruTalent Search 2024 competition would not only mean a fresh new start for Belu, but he also feels it would be giving his supporters and listeners the friendly, bubbly Luvuyo they all love.
“I’m often told I feel like the ultimate best friend, because of my diversity. I can fit anywhere, comfortably, and I have a way of making people comfortable with me. I’m supportive and very solution-oriented,” he said.
The broadcaster added that he’s also entertaining and is passionate about social issues, especially those faced by the youth.
To vote for Belu, SMS ‘Radio12’ to 39721. SMSs cost R1.50, free SMSs don’t apply. Voting lines close every Thursday at 15:00 and re-open after the announcement on Friday for the next round. For more info, send an email to luvuyo@reallycoolmedia.com
