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The Story of 702 – David Williams, Chris Gibbons, David Saks

David Williams unpacks his co-authored book 'The Story of 702' (Camera & Editing: Darlene Creamer)

9th March 2026

     

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Much has been said and written about Radio 702, but until now the full story of how it was founded, the impact it made and the enduring legacy it has left has not been told. In Touch In Tune and Independent: The Story of 702 provides just such a history. Largely based on the reminiscences of those who were part of the saga during the station's formative decades, it will be welcomed and appreciated by the stations many thousands of devoted fans, past and present.

“No newspaper or broadcasting station in South Africa had been closer to the momentous political events of the 1980s and 90s than 702. More than playing a reporting role, the station had itself become part of the process that opened up democracy”.

In the final decade of apartheid rule, a feisty new independent station called Radio 702 exploded on the scene in South Africa. Innovative, in-your-face and exciting, it revolutionised the local broadcasting scene, breaking boundaries and challenging conventions as never before. Radio 702 became the station that everyone was talking about. From the outset, it imbedded itself in the community it served, continually finding new ways to connect and engage with its audience so that listeners could feel that the station truly belonged to them. In the process it became a beacon for much of the country's most promising broadcasting talent, from the legendary John Berks to John Robbie, Jenny Crwys-Williams, Dan Moyane and many others.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Williams is a South African journalist, author, and broadcaster, specialising in sport, political economy, and business. He has worked as a Deputy Editor of the Financial Mail and Deputy News and Sports Editor at Talk Radio 702. Williams is also known for his books on sport and military history. He has been a senior anchor on business TV channels Summit and CNBC Africa, where he interviewed numerous leading CEOs, economists, civil servants, and politicians. His book "On the Railway: The Great South African Train Story" explores the rich railway heritage of South Africa, including the luxurious presidential White Train and the goods trains that served as the economic lifeblood of the country.

 

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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