Radio 702 pioneers praise broadcasting icon Issie Kirsh

News of the passing of broadcasting legend Issie Kirsh on Sunday, 18 May, left us saddened. Kirsh played a major role in reshaping South Africa’s media landscape during the darkest days of apartheid when he founded Radio 702, then tagged “The rainbow of sound”.

I was privileged to join 702 during its pioneering first year to help start the community service department and be part of the team to build the station and craft the blueprint for commercial radio. Issie’s philosophy underlying 702 was that it was to be more than a pop station piping out music, a station committed to serving the community.

Issie’s niece, Linda Mirels (née Kirsh), who had recently graduated as a social worker, played a vital role in the early stages of development to ensure that this value was successfully embedded in the ethos of 702.

Reflecting on her uncle’s legacy, Linda said, “Uncle Issie believed deeply in the power of community voices long before many did. He sent me to Australia in 1979 to research a community radio station that had caught his attention. His foresight, vision, and compassion propelled 702 to amazing heights, and it became an invaluable resource centre with many community efforts, both off and on air.”

Linda enlisted my support as a fellow social worker, and little did I know that 702 would become my way of life and the basis of a life-long friendship with this remarkable family.

The legendary Kirsh brothers, Natie and Issie, began their interest in broadcasting in the early 1970s with the advent of Swazi Music Radio. Already major players in the Swaziland business arena, the acquisition of the shortwave transmitter was a new challenge, and Swazi Music Radio made a significant contribution to the development of commercial radio in this part of the world.

It provided the roots upon which 702 was built, and took the lead in serving the needs of minority groups including black, Indian, Portuguese, and Jewish audiences. Many will remember “The Jewish Sound” with the wisdom of Rabbi Yossi Goldman, one of the early pioneers of radio, who helped set the tone for things to come.

With the establishment of the homeland of Bophuthatswana, the Kirsh brothers acquired a broadcasting licence from the Bophuthatswana government, with Issie at the helm. With the launch of 702 on 28 June 1980, beaming back and forth between Johannesburg and Ga-Rankuwa through a network of “wires”, the South African broadcasting horizon was forever changed, with Issie and 702 boldly leading the way.

With Issie’s son, William Kirsh, joining the leadership team and the evolution to Primedia Broadcasting in 1994, 702’s interests expanded to reflect a multistation portfolio, with 94.7 in Johannesburg and KFM and Cape Talk in Cape Town. It expanded into diversified media channels, united in a commitment to independent media and community engagement. Today, Primedia is a leading private media power house in South Africa, rooted in the solid foundations laid by Issie.

By changing the face of broadcasting in South Africa, Issie changed thousands of lives. It wasn’t just the lives of people whose careers flourished in the radio industry, but millions of listeners who benefitted from independent and relevant news, entertainment, and community service. His impact is borne out with just a few tributes included here from some of the founding 702 team members:

Lance Berks, the son of the late John Berks, said, “Everything my late father achieved at Radio 702 and beyond began with Issie’s belief in him. He held Issie in the highest regard, not just as a visionary, but as a man of great integrity and generosity whose faith forever shaped his career and legacy.”

Said Gary Edwards, “Issie leaves a great legacy. Along with John Berks and Daryl Jooste, I first met him more than 50 years ago in the early days of Swazi Music Radio. He fitted easily into the “nice guy” category. Decent, compassionate, and generous, he skilfully helped those around him achieve the goal of making 702 a success story from which we all benefitted.”

“I will forever be grateful for being part of Issie Kirsh’s team that launched 702,” said Martin Woolf. “He was an astute businessman, but never forgot to show interest in his employees. Soft-spoken and kind, Issie was a rare breed of businessman.”

Said Bangu Masisi, “702 Music Radio unexpectedly changed my career path completely since 1980 during challenging times in this country. The work ethic and teamwork we shared created my fulfilling career beyond 702. Thank you Mr Kirsh for creating this opportunity for so many of us.”

“My relationship with Issie Kirsh spanned many years, starting with Swazi Radio and all the way through 702 and Primedia,” said Stan Katz. “He was a mentor from whom I learned much, not just about media, but about life in general. The world has lost a true gentleman.”

“So saddened to hear this news. Issie was a complete gentleman,” said Martin Bailie, “and I owe him a huge deal of gratitude for his support at the start of my career. He was patient and kindly to a young upstart Irishman, and I’m forever in his debt. Condolences to the family and wider circle of friends.”

Said John Robbie, “I worked for Issie for 30 years. We didn’t see him often, but when we did, he would always ask us about our family. 702 has a proud history of irreverence, bravery, charity, and fun, all started with a dream followed through by Issie Kirsh. Hamba kahle [go well] Issie”

Dominic O’Byrne, the son of the late Paddy O’Byrne, who was the first breakfast show host on 702, said, “It was a privilege to have known him, worked for him, and benefitted so much for all he did for my family. The man brought about a seismic shift in the way actuality, entertainment, and media management worked in South Africa. It’s a massive, enduring monument to a man who was respected, much loved, and honoured. Farewell mensch – you leave a mighty legacy.”

Issie Kirsh was a special human being. His innate goodness is the very substance upon which the soul of 702 was shaped. Wishing Mushe, Louise, William, Danny, Jacqui, and all the family a long life. May his memory be a blessing and an inspiration to all media to build bridges rather than barriers, and to be a voice for honest and constructive conversations that may be a catalyst for unity.

• Rina Broomberg is a former 702 station manager and later managing director of 702 and Cape Talk. She is also the co-founder of CliffCentral and Podcast Party, pioneering podcasting in South Africa with the aim of shaping a future where dialogue transforms into positive change.