The man behind the microphone: Humphrey Birkenstock
Earlier this year I joined a tour group in Israel and boy, did we make up a motley crew! It was on this special trip that I met Humphrey Birkenstock, a man of integrity, leadership and warmth. Humphrey is the Station Manager of Rainbow FM, a Christian Radio station and it is my delight to introduce you to him …
You grew up in the ‘Old South Africa’. What was that like?
I was born in the dark days of early apartheid rule on 16 December 1960, in Kliptown - where five years earlier, over 3 000 representatives of resistance organisations had gathered to draw up the Freedom Charter.
I was raised by my mom, Audrey, and together with my siblings, Timothy and Grizelda, grew up in a Godly environment. The Church of the Nazarene was instrumental in shaping my missionary vision and guiding my relationship with Christ during my younger years.
When did your radio career begin?
I was running a promotions company identifying Christian talent and exposing them on a local stage. Being on radio had always been my dream and the closest I could get to living my ambition was to organise Gospel concerts. I was looking for an avenue to serve the community on a broad platform and when the chairman of Rainbow FM, Pastor Seggie Naidoo, invited me to do an interview for a Father’s Day programme, I jumped at the chance! Ten years ago I joined the station and in those early years we were up against many challenges. It was only by prayer and a good measure of faith that we succeeded. Establishing the radio during those years was very trying and required a lot of determination! Now I am standing at the helm of this fine product and am amazed by what the Lord has done in my life.
You are a very amusing man. How do you stay so positive and upbeat, even though you are busy?
Being a people’s person is part and parcel of what I do. It is expected of me to bring joy, hope and encouragement to the hopeless and the only way you can convince folk that Jesus is a friend of those who are poor in spirit, is to show them that it worked for yourself. The joy of the Lord is my strength!
I have tried everything else and discovered that only God’s joy keeps me going through a 24 hour lifestyle. Radio presenting is not an act and I desire to live my life to the full…intending for my positive attitude to point the lost to Christ.
Your wife, Anita, is so gracious. Tell us about her.
Our first meeting was rather strange - I tried to recruit her and her brothers to attend one of the Gospel concerts that I had arranged! Fortunately she accepted the offer…I think she got more than she bargained for. I was upfront with her that my calling included serving the community at large and she understood that. We have been married for 15 years this month and have two wonderful boys. Anita has a calming effect on my hectic lifestyle and she keeps my feet firmly on the ground.
What other projects are you involved in?
My dedication to Christian broadcasting has opened up a number of opportunities of service to the Body. For eight years I served on the executive board of the Association of Christian Broadcasters and now am the media liaison for the African Pastors’ Forum. This opportunity has allowed me to venture out of the borders of SA and realised my dream of setting up international networks.
As chairman of Community Radio, my role at The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is my favourite call of duty. My involvement has given me an increased awareness of the broadcasting industry. Until a year ago, I had a brief tenure as a director of the United Christian Broadcasters Africa. I have received a wealth of information on the dynamics of Christian broadcasting within Africa and hope that my contribution during that period shed some light on the way we perceive African Christian broadcasting (which previously had only a Eurocentric approach).
Two highlights this year were; being recognised by the business sector to adjudicate for the BBQ Awards - a ceremony for previously disadvantaged achievers in government and in business; and being elected to an executive committe recognising unsung heroes during the struggle years.
Final tips for budding Christian radio DJ’s?
Identify your calling. Communication is the key to being a successful radio presenter - if you have a hard time relating to people ‘on-air’ work is not for you. Finally and most importantly, be yourself! “You have been wonderfully and uniquely made” Ps 139:14. True success is living out the Great Commission and I believe you do this by making time for others and only doing what God says.
Favourites:
Gospel singer:BeBe Winans
Place to visit:Israel, because of the similarities to our nation.
Way to relax:Travelling, reading news and current events and hanging out with my family.
Fact file:
Rainbow
FM 90.7
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Community broadcaster serving the communities of the West and south West rand parts of Johannesburg and the northern suburbs. We also have streaming audio (where you can listen via the internet).
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Celebrating the joyful message of reconciliation, healing and hope through Jesus Christ. We have been a voluntary association since our inception and depend largely on the volunteer support of our audience for time and resources.
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We represent the body of Christ and serve all Christian denominations.
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We have successfully hosted and facilitated pastors’ forums in our area and have a network of almost one thousand pastors on our data base.
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Our ministry has adopted local children’s orphanages highlighting the plight of God’s special children and we have now become the official facilitators of Rosca house.
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For more info please see
www.rainbowfm.co.za
By Jackie Georgiou
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