Crystal drops mic after 18 years

On Tuesday morning, this week, Crystal Newman listened to radio after an eleven-day break since she resigned her job at Sanyu FM. Being a listener is something she will have to get used to, perhaps comparing notes with her on-air experiences.
If you wanted to sprite up your day, you needed a cheerful voice with positive vibes. She was there to offer it. For 18 years, Crystal shared conversations, sang birthday melodies, played listeners’ favourites and more. She belongs to that old brigade that made radio presenting really prestigious.
On August 3rd, she hanged up the headphones and announced she had done her time on radio. She joined Radio Sanyu in 2000 when it was still managed by John Katto. It has since rebranded to Sanyu FM under the Ruparelia Group of companies.
“Today will be my last day presenting on #SanyuDrive on @882SanyuFM. After 18 years, I have decided to make a change and start a new chapter. I have shared half my life on air with you,” she twitted.
The sunny presenter is moving on to focus on creating content for her online platforms; Crystal One on One on which she interviews different personalities and Crystal Bites on which she shares her experiences as a foodie.
Crystal is also starting an ambassadorial journey with Uganda Red Cross Society as goodwill ambassador. “We are working together on a campaign to promote menstrual hygiene management for young girls. I want to do more humanitarian work. I have been busy. I wanted to focus more on working with women but particularly girls,” she explains.

The beginning
She moves on from radio but a part of her remains there, mostly in nostalgia. She recounts her initial attempt on radio back in 2000. A friend complimented Crystal for having a beautiful voice and asked her if radio was something was willing to give a shot.
The friend knew John Miles Kanyike who went under the alias of Coco Banton, as a presenter on Radio Sanyu. One day the two decided to pay him a visit. As the three chatted off air, Miles and Nash Kiwanuka, who was Programme Director at the station, liked Crystal’s voice.
She was invited for a voice test which she passed. At the time, she was pursuing a degree in Mass Communication (Journalism) and had majored in broadcasting. She was excited because it was a dream come true.
She had had a stint at Radio Uganda and there she was being offered a working stint at Radio Sanyu. She describes her first time on air as unforgettable. “I was so nervous and shaky. What gave me confidence was picturing myself talking to my friend as I presented. I have shared the same trick with all people that I have trained or mentored,” she recalls.
Jean Laker who presented the midmorning show dubbed ‘Love at Eleven’ showed her what to do once in studio and on air. Her first gig was sitting in for Mutesi who did the afternoon drive.

Favourite memories
Her first fulltime assignment was with Fat Boy (James Onen) doing the The MTN Breakfast, 2001-2002. She went to start the Saturday slot that was christened Now and Then, the did a midmorning show, Friday Night Live, Saturday Night Fever and The Drive Show, the radio slot that has defined 13 of her 18 years on radio. She did The Drive Show, with the late Wilfred Bangi, with whom she grew a friendship on and off air. The duo’s chemistry was so natural because they jelled owing to the fact that they shared hobbies like culinary appreciation, music and openness to appreciating the finer things of life as well as its realities.
Bangi was the co-host who impacted on her life most. “He was a larger than life character. He was unapologetic and proud of who he was. Working with him was a turning point for my career. He became such a good friend,” she relates. His passing was a big blow and she points it out as her worst time on radio. “He passed on a Sunday and I remember listening to every single presenter crying. When I came on air, I had let it somehow sink it but I felt a part of me missing. At the time, I had recordings of him and Sanyu FM played many of our links,” she recounts.
Crystal reveals that working with different people on radio has allowed her appreciate their presentation styles, approaches and ways of reasoning. “When you co-host, you look at things from different angles,” she notes. The last days were incidentally her best moments on air. There were some tearful moments. Her interview with singer Juliana Kanyomozi, was deeply emotional for her. He gave us the guidelines then allowed us to grow in our style. I respect Allan Kasujja because he had always been straight and made me think and questions things differently.

From Christine Mawadri, I learnt how to be confident. With Seanice Kacungira, it was always professional. She is dedicated and clear minded. Fatboy has mastered the skill of being controversial. His mind works differently. What I have learnt from him is to voice an opinion even if it is not a popular one,” Crystal explains.