Nicolene van der Linde, or Nikki, was born in the North West and spent her pre-adolescent years in the town of Klerksdorp. The wonder of radio was instilled in her as a child when she saw OFM at the local Show as a little girl. She attended high school in Bloemfontein and it has been her home for the better part of her life.

After obtaining her degree in Media Studies and Journalism at the University of the Free State (Kovsies), Nikki headed to the UK to get some life experience (or at least pay off her student debt). After almost three years there, she returned home. Nikki then tried her hand at several jobs, including waitressing, customer service, sales, and even interior decorating! 

Nikki headed overseas again and taught English in South Korea for seven years. This is where she realised that South Africa is home and media is life. Back home she received training and worked on-air for MedFM, after which she was recruited by OFM – the very station she adored as a small-town girl.

Her favourite quote, which Nikki tries to apply to her daily life, is: “Education is not something that you can finish” by Isaac Asimov.

Catch Nikki on traffic and weather during The Joyride, weekdays, 15:00 to 18:00.