Styles Mbatha named winner of the #ECRPresenterSearch 2021

The five-week journey began with a nationwide online search where radio presenter hopefuls posted their virtual auditions on social media. After over one thousand entries, the judges had the tough decision of selecting a top six.

The top six went through several challenges on-air at a live broadcast to test their skills and really separate the natural-born stars from the amateurs.

ECR then let the listeners vote for who they wanted to hear on KZN’s NO.1 Hit Music Station, where Kaydee Timm, Styles Mbatha and Ndabe Zondi were revealed as the final three.

During the Grand Finale, all three joined Stacey and J Sbu and we live-streamed the entire thing! (You can watch it here)

One hour before the winner was announced Stacey and J Sbu announced the 2nd runner up.

Listen to the moment here:

Although there could only be one winner no one was walking away emptyhanded Kay Dee, named 2nd runner up, won R5 000 and a weekend away holiday. Ndabe, named 1st runner up, won R10 000 and a weekend away holiday, and Styles Mbatha, the winner of #ECRPresenterSearch walked away with his own show and a cash prize of R20 000, along with Beats by Dre headphones to kick off his radio career in style.

Styles says he is elated that his dreams have finally become a reality.

Styles was born in Dundee and raised in the Pietermaritzburg, who was unemployed will now take on the world in the job of his dreams; broadcasting live on KZN’s NO.1 Hit Music Station on his brand-new show.

East Coast Radio’s Programming manager says he is looking forward to welcoming a new voice to the line-up.

“Finding an all-rounder like Styles is rare. While his natural talent to communicate and engage is what led to his selection, he not only sounds and looks the part, but understands the need to create compelling content across platforms. His audition video was by far the best one that we received, and this made him a strong contender from early on! I am excited about working with him in his new show to develop his skills as a radio presenter, and I hope our audience will closely follow his growth with the station,” Derbyshire said.

Speaking of our Programming manager, Zane Derbyshire sat down with Stacey and J Sbu prior to the Finale to discuss what he looks for in a ECR presenter and give some advice to the finalists, and anyone else hoping to find a career in radio:

And so the #ECRPresenterSearch came to a beautiful, and sparkly end!

We also invited Styles to his new home, the ECR studio and had a very important chat with him, because we just had to know: who was the first person he called after his win? What is going to do with the money? And what does this win really mean to him?

Take a listen to the exclusive interview below:

East Coast Radio would like to thank everyone who entered the #ECRPresenterSearch.

Tune in to hear Styles Mbatha and your favourite ECR presenters via ecr.co.za, the ECR App and DStv Channel 836 for more updates.

Main image courtesy of Julian Carelsen/East Coast Radio