On 1 May 2014, CliffCentral launched as an independent online radio and podcasting platform. It was built by a small group of people willing to take the gamble – stepping away from the certainty of traditional broadcasting into something that didn’t yet have a clear shape, proven audience, or commercial model. 

The internet was changing everything. Anyone could be a broadcaster now. The barriers to entry were falling, and the relationship between content and audience was shifting. We saw an opportunity to build something more flexible, more honest and less constrained by traditional formats . We called it ”unradio” – unscripted and uncensored, and unapologetically itself.

The founding family included Gareth Cliff’s 5FM team who made the leap with him into the unknown – Damon Kalvari, Mabale Moloi, Leigh-Ann Mol, and Siya ‘the intern’ Sangweni (now Siya the Executive Producer of Podcast Party). Behind the scenes, Greg Cohen anchored the technical foundation, often solving problems that didn’t yet have solutions. Dori van Loggerenberg juggled content; Arye Kellman brought his creative flair; Phumi Mashigo her calming presence, and Jane Malatji took care of us all. Alongside them a wide range of contributors added their voices – and took their own risk in doing so. 

CliffCentral was, in many ways, a social experiment. We wanted to build a space where ideas –  even uncomfortable ones – could breathe. And where conversations weren’t shaped by format constraints or advertiser anxiety. Over time, this unique hybrid of online radio and podcasting paved the way for a much bigger shift in how content is created, distributed and consumed in South Africa.

One expression of that original idea is Podcast Party – an independent platform that has blossomed from those roots into a conversation hub connecting business, political and community voices through podcasts, video and live events. 

Today, podcasting is mainstream. Back then it was a bet placed on instinct, trust, and no guarantees. 

This milestone belongs to every brave pioneer who rolled the dice – hosts, producers, tech teams, support staff, sponsors, volunteers, supportive family and friends who took the gamble with us. And, of course, our listeners who became our tribe.  

Thank you all for being part of this journey. 

Rina Broomberg 

Co-founder of Cliffcentral and Podcast Party