By Darren Gilbert

And it’s due, in part, to his upbringing.

“Not growing up with a father was difficult, I’m not going to lie,” says Basil. “On top of that, I had a younger brother who looked up to me so I had to set an example.” It was fascinating but quite the responsibility, he admits. And his future could go one of two ways. “I knew that I could either succumb to the pressure [of this responsibility] or I could make something of myself.”

A look at how he keeps himself busy is evidence enough that he made the right choice.

Today, Basil styles himself as a media entrepreneur. Aspiring actor; amateur singer; model, he is also the voice of his own show, The Keegan B Show on Hashtag Radio. And to think it all happened without him looking for it.

He explains; “I have a friend – Sydney Bailey, a former international model – and we started a non-profit organisation together called Free Hugs South Africa.” A little community outreach programme, the duo started it to help encourage and motivate people on the street. Shortly after starting it, Hashtag Radio requested an interview, which went well.

In fact, it went so well the radio’s CEO, Joubert Botha, messaged him shortly thereafter, requesting a meeting. Botha liked his vibe. He thought Basil would be perfect for radio. And, within 24 hours, Basil was able to add ‘radio show host’ to his CV. “It was incredible because I had never thought anything like that would happen to me,” he says. “I had just started Free Hugs SA with Sydney and I was settled, thinking it was where my life was going.”

Instead, Basil has a radio show that he hosts four days a week. And, unlike Basil’s argument that he’s nothing special, The Keegan B Show is anything but ordinary. This is because he has always aimed to do something meaningful with his time on air. The result is a radio show unlike any other.

Subtitled ‘Aspire to Inspire’, The Keegan B Show is all about positivity and inspiration. “Aspiring to inspire has always been my motto, so it made sense to extend it to my radio show; where it is all about motivating and inspiring other people.” Inspiring the next generation to reach their full potential in all their endeavours, is another way of wording it.

Considering South Africa’s current negative environment, it’s a show we need. “Every single person needs to realise that they can do what they want – they just have to believe in themselves,” says Basil. That is not to say it’s easy – belief and confidence is one thing; putting them into action is another. Basil knows this first-hand, having faced maybe personal hurdles. However, it also gives him ground to stand on.

“Everyone’s journey is different and I am so inspired by that,” says Basil. “What you are doing on your journey gives me motivation to carry on with mine and vice versa.” That is where we need to be – motivating and helping people to live to their potential.

For Basil, radio, through The Keegan B Show, is the perfect medium to do that. That doesn’t mean he will stay in radio forever. He has dreams of breaking into TV presenting. For now, though, he’s happy where he is. And it’s not because he doesn’t have any other choice. Rather, it’s because ever since he was young, Keegan Basil has aspired to inspire.

For more information, visit www.keeganbasil.com. Alternatively, connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.