Stacey Norman

Stacey Norman, a drive host on East Coast Radio, KZN’s number one hit music station, has been captivating audiences for over 20 years. With a career that began in her teenage years, she has grown into a figure that embodies the essence of KwaZulu-Natal.

Stacey’s entry into the world of radio is one of those serendipitous moments that shaped her career. She
recalls, “I won a talent competition at KFM when I was 15, but I didn’t want to participate. My mother did it
behind my back, so she is single-handedly responsible for everything that I’ve done and reminds me every
chance she gets.” She added, “I was raised to be on stage. There’s nothing that I’ve ever done where my dad
hasn’t been right there with a video camera.”

Starting off with weekend overnight shifts, Stacey quickly climbed the ranks at KFM. “I did weekend
overnights for two weeks, then weekend evenings, and eventually daytime,” she explains. “I was the
youngest person they ever had on daytime radio.” With years spent honing her craft, Stacey’s presence
soon extended beyond Cape Town when Primedia simulcasted her show to 94.7 in Johannesburg. Her
journey took her across the country, from the streets of Cape Town to Johannesburg, where she expanded
her media footprint with television appearances and hosting gigs. But despite her achievements, Stacey’s
biggest career pivot came when East Coast Radio reached out, offering her the chance to return to radio.
She became the first female drive host at East Coast Radio in 2020.

A UNIQUE VOICE
Stacey quickly discovered a unique connection with her audience. “I feel like KZN was waiting for me,” she shares. “There are so many women in this province who are loud, vivacious, and unapologetically themselves. And they needed some kind of representation. I see myself in these women, and I think they see themselves in me. It feels like I’ve come home.”

Her approach to radio is anything but traditional. Stacey has managed to break the mould of the stereotypical radio host, offering a space for real, unfiltered interaction with her listeners. Rather than adopting the usual formal tone of a presenter, Stacey created an experience where the audience felt like co-hosts in the conversation. “I want to make sure they feel like they’re part of the show, not just passive listeners. I want the audience to feel like they’re talking to me, not at me,” she says. “When you see me in the street or at Woolworths, I want you to feel like you can walk up to me and say, ‘Hey, girl!’ and I’ll be right there with you, ‘Hey, girl!’”

Over the years, Stacey has not only carved a successful career but also navigated the challenges that come
with being a woman in the male-dominated radio industry. She acknowledges the obstacles, explaining,
“Female presenters have historically been sidelined to sidekick roles, giggling in the background. It wasn’t
common for women to host prime time slots, let alone a drive show.”

Yet, against these odds, Stacey has found her place at the forefront of the industry. She has spent her life chasing excellence, as such her journey has been marked by determination and a refusal to be put in a box. “The fact that I’m still here is remarkable,” she reflects. However, Stacey’s success wasn’t without its personal
challenges. “Navigating who Stacey is versus who Stacey Norman is has been a huge transition,” she
admits. “I created this persona, this perfect version of myself who was always on and never had a bad day.
But behind the scenes, I struggled with insecurities like everyone else.”

In a bid to be more relatable to her audience, Stacey took on challenges that exposed her true self. One of
the most notable moments was when she publicly attempted to get her driver’s license live on air. “I didn’t want to do it, but I thought, if I’m scared, then there must be others who are too. Let’s do it together,” she
says, recounting how she included listeners in the process. “We had women join me on the journey, and
they also passed their driver’s tests with me. It was all about showing that vulnerability and connecting with
my listeners on a real level.”

WORDS OF WISDOM
Stacey offers valuable advice for young women looking to follow in her footsteps. “It’s difficult, and you have
to accept that,” she says. “It’s not all glitz and glam. It takes a lot of work, and you have to dig deep every
day. You can’t just show up; you have to be present and deliver.” She encourages women to push through the
insecurities and challenges that will inevitably come their way and importantly to surround themselves with
people that support them.

“The most important thing is to stay true to yourself,” Stacey advises. “Find your signature, and don’t try to
be someone you’re not. Because if you start with a fake accent or a fake personality, you might have to keep that going for 20 to 30 years. Radio is an incredibly beautiful medium, but it takes time and respect. If you’re looking for fame, go somewhere else. But if you want to make an impact and create something meaningful, this is where you belong.

Stacey’s dream is clear: to be the best at what she does. “For me, the pinnacle of a radio presenter’s career is to host a breakfast show, and that’s where I want to be,” she says. “I’ve done it all, but I want to continue
to grow and challenge myself. It’s about finding the balance between ambition and presence.”

Away from the microphone, she finds solace in running. “I’m deeply introverted, so quiet time is important and that’s what running is for me. It’s my sacred time. I don’t want a running buddy. I just want to listen to
some Taylor Swift or a podcast, mind my business and carry on.