April 2008 Style Star

5fm DJ,
Koula, is one of South
Africa’s most liked radio personalities and is
also admired for her professional approach to radio, her funky persona, and her
love for South African music. As you read this, Koula is also busy preparing to
run her second Comrades Marathon in a row for charity. Now, how’s that for a
challenge?

But Koula
has always been up for a challenge. Like the time in her final year of studies
at RAU when she decided she wanted to make a go of it in the radio industry.
She put together a demo tape, sent it off to 5fm, and a week later, the
producer called to say she had potential. Nearly a year later, after submitting
many demo tapes, she landed a job at 5fm.

Over five
years later, Koula is now a household name on 5fm with her jamming shows from
10pm-1am, Mondays to Thursdays. She also does DJ stints at clubs nationwide and
there are plans for her to co-host a TV music chart show called
"Salted" during the second half of this year, to be aired on SABC.

Even with an
already busy schedule, Koula has once again decided to run the Comrades
Marathon, following her effort last year, when she was challenged to run the
race for charity, by SAfm’s Thabiso Sikwane. This April, Koula, who makes
running a priority, will run 120km a week in preparation for the grueling race
in June.

She says running
teaches her so much – from time management (squeezing in training runs in a
hectic schedule IS possible), to the importance of setting goals, and the
importance of looking after and respecting her health and body.

Okay, so
there’s no doubt that she is fit, but what about Koula’s personal style? She
describes it as eclectic, and maybe a bit kooky (her words). Koula admits that
over the last two years, she has moved away from the cargo pants and sneakers
look, opting for a more feminine approach to her style. She believes that if a
woman is totally comfortable and secure in her own skin, that is feminine.

Koula’s
hairstyles have received as much attention as her work has over the years, as
she has experimented with different looks. As far as she is concerned, life is
too short to be boring and predictable.

Whatever she
wears, Koula always looks fabulous. Perhaps her style has more to do with her
vivacious personality than the clothes she wears. Whatever it is, Koula stands
out in a crowd, and she has given many a reason to listen to the radio again.

Koula’s
greatest ambition is to love, love and love some more. She believes that our
main purpose on earth is to love others, even when the circumstances are
difficult. That’s what she tries to do everyday. Her advice is to "follow your
heart if you want to live life passionately!".

Introducing
gsport’s April 2008 Style Star, funky 5fm DJ, Koula!

Koula, you’ve become a household name on radio since
joining 5fm; how did this dream become a reality?

I joined 5fm
in December 2002. During my final year of studies at RAU (where I completed my
BA Journalism degree), I decided that I was going to try and make a go of it in
the radio industry. I put a demo tape together, sent it off to 5fm and prayed
for a miracle.

A week
later, I heard back from one of the producers who said he thought I had
potential and we should meet up and chat. That was in January 2002. Just after
I’d sent in my demo, 5fm announced that they were looking for new female DJs
and they were obviously flooded with applicants. From then on, it was a process
of elimination.

Every
afternoon, between lectures, I’d head off to the SABC to record mock radio
shows that would be submitted to the station manager on a weekly basis, along
with the other hopefuls. The list was eventually narrowed down until it was
just me left. A very stressful 11 months before I knew for sure that I’d got
the job!

What was your background before you joined 5fm?

I studied
Journalism at RAU. I also hosted a few shows on RAU Radio during my first two
years of varsity and moved on to host a show on Edgars Music Radio during my
last year of studies.

What’s your favourite music and what are you
currently listening to?

It’s really
difficult to narrow that down to one specific genre. I appreciate all GOOD
music, regardless of genre but generally lean towards the indie/alternative
stuff. Currently listening to Muse’s "H.A.A.R.P." album. They are
phenomenal! Also loving Adele, Feist, Regina Spektor. And the new Goldfish
album is also brilliant!

You’re a big supporter of SA music. How do you feel
about the state of the local music industry?

I’m really
excited about where the scene is at right now. I think bands have realised they
can’t just sit around and wait to be "discovered". They’re actively
networking and arranging their own international tours, getting slots at big
international music festivals, working with overseas producers, getting airplay
in other countries.

And there
are definitely gonna be spin offs from that.. It’s so great to see people being
pro-active and positive, instead of the negative "No one supports SA
music" attitude that lurked around for a few years.

What are your other career projects, aside from your
radio commitments?

I do a fair
amount of voice overs for TV and radio, and also DJ at clubs nationwide most
weekends. I’ll also be co-hosting a TV music chart show called
"Salted" during the second half of this year which will be aired on
one of the SABC channels.

You ran the Comrades for charity last year. What
prompted you to do it, how did it go, and what did you learn from the
experience?

I was
challenged to run the Comrades for charity by SAfm’s Thabiso Sikwane. It was
her idea to get a group of crazy female DJs together and besides raising money
for charity, show that anything is possible if you apply yourself.

I definitely
wasn’t a runner at that stage but with a fantastic running programme compiled
by Nick Bester, I went from zero to Comrades in 8 months. It was a terrific
experience… although it took about 3 days for it to sink in that I’d actually
completed the run.

I remember
at the end of the race, I was so grateful that I could stop and not have to run
anymore, I didn’t know if I’d ever put on running shoes again. But once the
pain had subsided and I had time to take everything in properly, I was already
itching to attempt the next Comrades.

Running
teaches you so much – from time management (squeezing in training runs in a
hectic schedule IS possible), it taught me the importance of setting goals and
the fulfillment of achieving them and it also taught me the importance of
looking after and respecting your health and body. When life gets super-busy,
most times you don’t even realise you’re neglecting yourself and now I make
running a priority.

What do you enjoy most about running?

Well,
there’s definitely that runners’ high! And that rush of adrenaline when you’ve
had a good, solid run. It’s also a great way of dealing with- and getting rid
of stress. And when I do long runs over the weekend, it is honestly such a
special time.

You’re out
on the road while most sane people are still sleeping, but you get to watch the
sun rise and see spectacular scenery. One of the most memorable races I did
last year, was my first half marathon in Pretoria.

The first
11km’s were uphill (and I HATE hills). Thabiso and I were really taking strain
but we eventually got to the top of this "mountain" and there was a
pipe band playing ‘Amazing Grace’ as the sun rose over the capital. I will
never forget that!

When you’re
not running for a good time and you’re just out on the road to enjoy yourself,
it’s a great time for prayer and talking to God as well. All in all, I’d highly
recommend it!

I’ll be
running on average 120km’s a week before tapering down in May in preparation
for my next Comrades.

Who are your favourite sports stars?

I’d say
Lance Armstrong, based purely on "It’s Not About the Bike" and his
incredible determination to beat cancer. Obviously Bruce Fordyce and Nick
Bester are big heroes too!

 How would you
define your personal style and how has it evolved over the years?

Hmmm…
Eclectic? A bit kooky? It’s a difficult question to answer – I don’t try and go
for a particular look. If a garment grabs me, I’ll buy it. And as comfortable
as I feel in skinny jeans and pumps, I also love glamming up in a cute cocktail
dress or elegant evening gown. Over the last two years, I have veered away from
the cargo pants and sneakers I used to love and have opted for a more feminine
style. Everyone has to grow up eventually!

What’s the inspiration behind your funky hairstyles
which have gained quite a reputation over the years?

I have a
great hairstylist! Brett Crawcour’s been styling my hair since I was 15 (that’s
almost 12 years now) and I trust him completely. He will never compromise my
hair’s condition for any major colour change I want. Healthy hair comes first!

He’s had
some way out ideas but they’ve always worked out beautifully. And life really
is too short for boring, safe, predictable styles. I’ll usually have an idea of
the colour I want and perhaps a style but otherwise I’m happy to let Brett do
what he wants.

Where do you shop for clothes?

If I see
something I like, I’ll buy it – wherever/whatever the shop is. But if I need an
outfit in a hurry, I usually go to Guess or Foxy. I know they’ll have snappy,
fun outfits. Foxy has the best accessories too!

Do you have a beauty routine?

Just the
usual: cleanse, tone, moisturise. And brush and floss. I’ve always drunk lots
of water so that’s a given… although I struggle to get 4 hours sleep, let
alone 8! If I have some extra time, I’ll go for a pedicure. Always leaves me
feeling relaxed and pampered!

Who are your Style Icons?

Gwen Stefani
and Fergie are both fantastic! They make the transition from funky to
uber-feminine so smoothly and aren’t afraid of wearing outrageous items.

gsport strives to celebrate femininity. How would
you define femininity and what role does it play in your life?

I think if a
woman is totally comfortable and secure in her own skin, that’s feminine. It
can be displayed in so many different ways and every woman is unique so it’s
difficult to stick a definition to that but she who is at peace with who and
what she is, is already there.

I’m quite a
homely person. I love "nesting" – fixing up my house, cooking, having
friends over for dinner and pottering about in my garden. For me, that’s
feminine and that’s the woman I am.

Which SA women do you admire?

Our unsung
heroes, really. There are thousands of stories of women who have selflessly
sacrificed their lives to take care of orphans and the sick and needy. And
there are thousands of untold stories – of survival and overcoming the odds. Those
are the women I admire.

What do you enjoy most about being South African?

I love the
diversity of our country: our 11 official languages and the many cultures that
are inter-woven. We have such beautiful nature and wildlife and sunsets… There’s
honestly no other country like ours. The list could go on and on!

What is your advice to women who are struggling to
find their passion in life?

If you have
no idea what your passions are and no goals or aspirations, the most important
thing is to take some time out for yourself. Spend a few hours in a peaceful
environment, switch off your phone and just have some "you" time. Ask
yourself, "If there’s anything in the world I could do or be now, what
would I want to be?". And don’t be surprised at the answer! You have to
follow your heart if you want to live life passionately!

Who are your role models and why?

I’m a
Christian so often I look to people in the Bible but most especially Jesus as a
guide for living my life.

What inspires you?

So many
things! Mostly nature, though. A beautiful flower, animals, sunrises and
sunsets, majestic mountains.

What is your greatest ambition?

To
love, love and love some more. I truly believe that our main purpose on earth
is to love others, even when the circumstances are difficult. That’s what I try
to do, each and every single day.