The Story of 702: New book details station's rise, and the turmoil that nearly destroyed it

A new book offers a detailed look at the early years of the iconic talk radio station 702 and its influence on South Africa’s media landscape.

The Story of 702: In Touch, In Tune and Independent, written by David Williams and Chris Gibbons with David Saks, explores the station’s first three decades and its role during a pivotal period in the country’s history.

Saks said that while the station was not originally intended to drive political change, it became an important platform in the 1980s by reporting on events that were often absent from state-controlled broadcasting.

"It really became a platform for reporting on what was really happening throughout the unrest, in the townships, in the homelands, and you weren't getting that from the SABC, which was a government monopoly.

"It wasn't just a political revolution that 702 helped to bring about, but it was a social upliftment initiative. It brought the communities together in a way that no radio station had done before. It was a cultural revolution."

The book brings together recollections from some of the station’s best-known voices, including John Berks, John Robbie and Stan Katz.

It also reflects on internal challenges within the station, which Saks said highlighted how good leadership helped it emerge stronger and remain an influential voice in South African radio.

"There are egos and turf issues and some very thin skins as well. There were bad management decisions. It happens. But it really was very serious. At one stage, it looked like it was going to kill the whole station altogether. Good sense and sensible leadership ultimately prevailed, and 702 came out, if anything, even stronger."

The idea for the book came from Issie Kirsh, the station’s founder, who wanted the full story told after stepping away from the business.

ALSO READ: Remembering visionary Issie Kirsh, who launched 702, a platform for 'all voices' in 1980s apartheid South Africa

"The book has a long genesis. I worked on and off on it for well over a decade. I'm just really, really happy that the baby was born eventually. It's a fantastic story. It's a wonderful success story," said Saks.

To listen to Saks in conversation with 702 and CapeTalk's Mandy Wiener, use the audio player below: