GO getter

Tracey Lange's distinctive voice carries both wisdom and laughter. The veteran radio and TV presenter is using her platform to encourage ordinary people to share their extraordinary stories. Christi Nortier tunes in.

- Christi Nortier

What started as a weekend hobby for Tracey Lange has turned into W a lifelong love and career in radio and television. After 16 years in radio and 11 years on TV, Tracey is still as passionate about spreading positivity across the airwaves as she was at 23. She has been a presenter at all the biggest commercial radio stations in Cape Town and hosted Dancing with the Stars SA. Since 2012, she has started three TV shows, namely Bravo, Tussen Ons and #Studio3. Her work has highlighted the stories and talents of people from all walks of life. Tracey shares what inspires her work, where she finds her drive and why Mondays are actually better than Fridays.

What sparked your interest in radio and television?

When I was 23, I became interested in radio and my mom encouraged me to volunteer at a community radio station in Somerset West. She believed that young people should explore their passion first-hand. 'Don't worry about the money,' she said. 'Find something you love and carry on doing it. The money will come later.' 

I was hooked from day one. I volunteered for a year before I got my first gig at Good Hope FM as a news reader on Priya Reddy's show. That was 16 years ago, and it became my career. Just 12 months after I started at this major radio station, I decided I wanted to try something in TV. I researched different shows and made contact with the producers. Two weeks later I had an audition and landed my first TV role.

You've carved out a spot in a very competitive industry. How?