Johannesburg - This week we feature radio personality, TV presenter, and rock musician Martin Bester.
Bester is popularly known for being the host of Breakfast with Martin Bester, every Monday to Friday between 6am and 9am on Jacaranda FM.
Bester began his radio career at Algoa FM before getting an offer to host a show on Jacaranda FM.
Recently, during the Best of Pretoria Readers’ Choice Awards, Bester walked away with two awards for himself and his show.
He won Best Local Radio Personality and "Best Local Radio Show. He’s also picked up accolades at the Liberty Radio awards.
As an award-winning TV presenter, he has anchored several television shows, including Wie’s my Liefie.
His music career has taken him to several places, and he has equally featured in different notable events such as KKNK in Oudtshoorn and Innibos in Mbombela.
You are able to interview any SA politician on air. Who do you choose to interview and why?
It would have to be the obvious one - President Ramaphosa. I would have way too many questions for him going back to all those tough decisions he had to make at the start of lockdown, about his appearances on TV throughout the pandemic, the violence last year, the challenges within the ANC at the moment right up to their stance on the Russian invasion into Ukraine.
The biggest misconception people have of you is....?
The biggest misconception people have about me is probably that I am just a presenter and do nothing more than that when I have been a musician all of my life. For me, music goes back even further than radio. I am a recording and performing artist and my previous original rock band I started in Johannesburg was via the name Kinky Robot and then in 2016 I went solo and into Afrikaans music as well under my own name and solo band which keeps me busy.
The meal that most reminds you of your childhood is...?
My granny’s bean soup. She used to make the most amazing soup with beans and meat (there was meat in everything she made) and I remember it being so wholesome and delicious and I am craving it right now.
Your favourite item of clothing in your closet currently is...?
Definitely my coat and jacket collection. I have a bit of a problem when it comes to black coats and jackets - I have a few and the thing I love about winter is that I can wear them and I have been doing that now as it gets colder. My favourite one is the one I most recently bought which is an extra-long, thick coat with a fluffy hoody which is complete overkill but I love it.
You are able to see any musician in the world live in concert. Who do you choose to see?
There are so many to choose from. I would love to see Harry Styles live. I am a big fan and his concerts look really interesting and he really surprised me when he collaborated with Shania Twain at this year’s Coachella. I would also love to see classic legendary rock bands like Led Zeppelin, maybe with John Bonham’s son on the drums. I also wonder if Tracy Chapman is still performing.
The one thing that has caught your attention on social media in the past week is ....?
I think how compassionate South Africans can be. It’s been heartbreaking to see the floods and the disaster in KZN and how people are trying to help people out where they can using social media as a tool. I’ve seen people try and help families and causes and it’s something we see through Good Morning Angels on my show every week and seeing how people do this on social media and rally behind every crisis or disaster is encouraging.
If you were left on a deserted island with either your worst enemy or no one, which would you choose?
That’s a very interesting question. I would probably, as much as I hate to say it, choose my worst enemy. I am a very sociable person and although I like my alone time, I love conversation and love reasoning, debating and arguing with people. It keeps life interesting and spicy. I guarantee we would be friends by the end of it. People don’t listen and talk to each other enough.
Your favourite restaurant in SA is...? And what do you order?
When I lived in Johannesburg there was a north Indian restaurant close to where I stayed called Taste Of Punjab. Every now and then when I pass it, I do pass there and pick up some food. Since I moved to Irene, I discovered a restaurant called Prive which is delicious and amazing and I love the pizzas at the end of a kuier at Railways Cafe as well.
The Netflix series everyone should be watching is...?
I watch such a random array of series on Netflix - everything from Haters Back Off to Cobra Kai. A movie I recently watched recently on Netflix was Leonardo DiCaprio’s Don’t Look Up. I thought that was brilliant. I can be very random and very wide - especially when I go on a binge.
How would you like to be remembered...?
I honestly don’t think about that much. But I guess I want to be remembered for the things I love doing, which is performing and entertaining and being a voice for the voiceless.