Kobus Rudolph is the founder and CEO of Radio Rippel 90.5 FM – a non-profit community radio station, broadcasting in Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa. He was raised in Pretoria in a home where Christianity, music, drama and literature was part of his life. He taught Northern-Sotho – one of South Africa’s indigenous languages - at a high school in Centurion. In 1984 he started his broadcast career as a radio presenter/producer for the National Radio Broadcaster where he was involved in youth programming. After six years he became a television producer and director for the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

Reach the world on a normal, everyday radio station
In 1992 he realised that there was a need for “radio for the community” and on the 1 August 1995 Radio Rippel 90.5 FM went on-air in Pretoria. “Although 90.5 FM is a “secular” radio station, our goal is to reach the unreached and to get people to know Christ. Rippel 90.5 FM is good, clean, family radio. We broadcast, news, sports, pop, rock and MOR music, but the difference is that Rippel 90.5 FM is based on Christian principles. It is here where one reaches the world. Christians mostly listen to Gospel radio stations. The world listens to secular stations. We also want to serve the community, give them hope, life and an expectation for the future.

“People should have an angler’s outlook on life – “Have an expectation for the future”
(Sakkie Steyl – South African top businessman : January 2000)
“You see, I am a very keen saltwater angler. Many times, you wake up early in the morning, in wind and rain, and go out to try to catch a fish. Many times with no success. But the next morning you rise again, because you believe that today is the day. Today you’re going to catch the big one. Regardless of what happened previously. That is the expectation I am talking about!”

In the past 11 years the station has grown from literally a handful of supporters in 1995, to between 70 to 80 thousand loyal listeners.

Kobus’s big passion and inspiration in his life is his wife Gretha. They have two teenage children Liezel and Conrad. Kobus has been an enthusiastic musician and he loves the outdoors. He is currently the chairman of Pretoria’s Rock & Surf Coastal Angling Club.

His mission in life is to reach the ultimate goal that God has for his life. “To fulfill one’s calling, to help make it possible in my wife’s and children’s lives, as well as in other people’s.”

“I love spending time with my wife and children. I like being with them. I believe in “quantity” time! Then I also love a good barbeque, at least 4 times per week and dining with close friends.”

The best book I’ve read, and read again and again – apart from the Bible, is Steve Farrar’s: “Finishing Strong.” It is a must read for every man! “You see, in Christian life, it is not how you start that matters. It’s how you end!” (Steve Farrar – Finishing Strong. www.multnomahpublishers.com)

March 2006

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