Gerben van Niekerk's Biography

OFM’s original bearded ginger, almost needs no introduction, especially if you’ve been tuning in since before dawn…

Born in Bloemfontein on 18 October 1984, Gerben was also raised in the City of Roses. He is a proud alumnus of the University of the Free State, where he also met his wife, during a second year Verbal Communication reassessment exam, ‘ironically enough’, as he recalls.

Gerben already started his radio career as production assistant for a community radio station at the tender age of 12. In 2003, he joined KovsieFM as the Breakfast presenter, a position he held for three years. He then joined OFM for two years thereafter, and returned to community radio for another two years. In 2017, he re-joined OFM.

And, what you hear is what you get - unpretentious, authentic, a genuinely funny, nice guy.

Gerben fondly remembers the first time he realised the power of radio. It was during his time as campus breakfast presenter when a listener made contact to let him know that Gerben really made him laugh during a time in his life when he didn’t think it was possible for him to laugh anymore. Ever since that moment, Gerben understood that he had a responsibility toward each and every listener. He is a guest in their home, their car or sitting next to them in the office or even on the tractor. This is also his favourite thing about radio; he has been given the honour of spending time with someone he doesn’t know and probably will never even meet.

Married to the love of his life, Marelise, a grade 3 teacher at an all-boys school in Bloemfontein, Gerben enjoys spending time doing some gardening, taking their three Scotties for walks and riding around the country on their Harley-Davidsons. Marelise also enjoys watching him do the dishes, something that, apparently, doesn’t happen often enough (sic). Other than that, Gerben says he is also the servant to three cats... In his down time, Gerben loves to read or even listen to books but mostly, like all married men, his schedule depends his wife’s to-do list (sic)!

Currently completing a PhD in media studies and journalism, Gerben is also the founding president of Bloemfontein Toastmasters, a club aimed at helping him become a better communicator.

Although he says he has no idea of the relevance to his life, his favourite quote, from one of his favourite villains: “It is what it is, and that is all that it is”.

Catch Gerben on the Agri-Hour on OFM, weekdays, 05:00 – 06:00, and on The Real Good Weekend featuring OFM Decades, Saturdays, 16:00 – 20:00.