Maree's appointment follows Magdaleen Krüger's decision to lay down the Loof die Here microphone on Sunday, 27 September, after seven years behind it, to fully embrace her retirement. Krüger's farewell marked the end of an era, and for this reason the month of October becomes a special tribute to the rich history of the programme before the new season begins in full colour and song, says the station.

Maree is a dedicated music lover, maths teacher and choir conductor. After completing his degree in Actuarial Science and making a brief turn in the corporate world, he unexpectedly found himself in the classroom, where he discovered that his true calling lies in education. Since 2010 he has taught at the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria, and since 2016 he has also conducted the school's choir, Die Rooidasse.

He is a regular speaker at choir seminars and mathematics-education conferences, where he shares his enthusiasm and experience in the hope of making a lasting difference in the lives of young people and colleagues. Music is the heartbeat of his life, especially choral and classical music. In his free time he reads widely, recharges in nature, and is an avid coffee lover who grinds his own beans and crafts his own espresso, adds the station.

"To join RSG and specifically this programme is a special privilege, but also a great responsibility," says Maree. "Loof die Here has a rich history and is a programme with which many people have grown up over decades."

"For countless listeners it has become part of the rhythm of a Sunday morning. I have great respect for the legacy of the programme and the people who have shaped it over the years. Listeners can continue to look forward to an hour of praise, calm, reflection and inspiration that warms their hearts, all with my own unique melody added to it. I will also share my love for choral music, classical music and exceptional spiritual music with listeners — visiting old favourites, but also exploring and discovering new melodies, or 'tunetjies' as Magdaleen would call them. Ultimately, I hope that every Sunday morning offers something that touches the heart — a space where people can become still, breathe, and experience something of hope and wonder."

Speaking about the Kingdom purpose of Loof die Here, Maree says, "I hope Loof die Here reminds people of God's presence in the everyday — not necessarily through big words or long messages, but through the music, the silence and the space the programme creates for reflection. Music has the remarkable ability to speak when words sometimes fall short. If even one listener feels a little more hopeful, calm, grateful or aware of God's grace after an episode, then we are on the right track. 

Ultimately I hope Loof die Here not only accompanies people for an hour, but helps them enter the new week with faith, hope and a greater awareness of God's goodness. Music brings people together across nations, languages and cultures. In music we are one. That is what makes radio so special: you can be alone in your car, your kitchen or your living room, but when the music fills your space, you feel for a moment part of something bigger than yourself."

Louise Jooste, RSG's Business Manager, says, "Loof die Here is far more than just a radio programme; for many listeners it is a beloved part of their Sunday morning and a space of faith, hope and inspiration. We are sincerely grateful for the remarkable contribution Magdaleen Krüger has made over the past seven years and wish her all the best. At the same time, we welcome AJ Maree with great excitement. His love for music, his warmth as a person and his deep appreciation for the programme's legacy make him the ideal person to take this cherished spiritual meeting time into its next chapter with our listeners. We are proud to welcome AJ to the RSG family and look forward to writing the next chapter of Loof die Here together."

During October, RSG will broadcast a selection of Loof die Here highlight programmes presented over the years by former presenters Fanie Smit and Wouter de Wet. These special broadcasts form part of RSG's celebration of the programme and its colourful voices, as well as the celebration of 90 years of the SABC.

On Sunday, 1 November, Loof die Here begins its brand-new chapter, still with the same heart, but with a fresh voice that continues the tradition with a firm anchor in the Father, recognition for the giants on whose shoulders the programme stands, and renewed inspiration. Afrikaans spiritual music and Sunday-morning peace is found, as always, on RSG, concludes the station.

For more information, visit www.rsg.co.za. You can also follow RSG on Facebook, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor