Text: Mariëtte van Niekerk / Photographer: Bronwyn Kruger
Centurion resident MD Greyling has called the capital city home all his life. You might recognise him as member of the music group Ses Snare and radio host on the capital’s own Pretoria FM.
He credits his love of music to his grandmother and father. “Music has always been in my blood. And with a talented musician grandmother and father there were always musical instruments in our house. I used to spend hours playing my dad’s guitar and my grandma’s piano. My parents were very supportive when it came to my music and offered me the opportunity to pursue it as a career option,” MD says.
As a musician MD became good friends with most other Afrikaans musicians in the country and when Marthys Roets, one of the founding members of the group Ses Snare, indicated that he might not be able to be part of the group on a regular basis because of other commitments, MD joined.
“Ses Snare is a project many musicians only dream about. If I have to sum it up I would say it’s always being on your toes, lots of guitars, witty musical arrangements and heaps of talent,” MD says.
One of his biggest dreams was to work in radio one day. “The fact that radio still plays such an enormous role in millions of people’s lives today, tells the tale of people’s search for information and company,” he adds.
He initially, from his home studio, made jingles for the then Radio Pretoria but when the time came for him to be a bit more involved he jumped at the chance. His midday radio show on Pretoria FM, is hosted on weekdays between 2pm and 5pm and MD explains it as a journal programme with topics ranging from hobbies to celebrities. And of course, with loads of amazing music in between.
After school, MD studied music at the University of Technology in Pretoria but dropped out. He is currently busy studying towards his BCom degree and hopes to over the next few years complete his MBA.
“I have an interest in business and have always been an entrepreneur. Plus, it’s highly stimulating for me to retire to the study at night when the kids go to bed and the house is quiet,” he says.
Through his career there’s been many ups and downs, but one thing that’s been plaguing MD lately, was his weight. “I exercised but struggled to get rid of about 20kg. I was pretty hopeless and didn’t think there was a way for me to ever lose it. The less I ate, the more weight I seemed to pick up. Nothing worked, ” MD says.
One day, after numerously hearing their adverts and success stories on Pretoria FM, MD decided to give Slender Wonder a go.
“Initially the diet looked very complicated, but after the first week I noticed that it’s easier than I initially thought and I had more energy than usual, even with the smaller portions,” he says.
“Through the years we made our bodies used to functioning on big meals. A big breakfast, lunch and dinner because it apparently gives you loads of energy during the day. Our bodies don’t need all that food. It only makes you more tired and your energy levels is not where it’s supposed to be. Smaller portions with better nutritive value are definitely the way to go,” MD says.
Just before he started with his new diet, MD took a group of tourists to Israel. “I definitely had to bite my teeth and for 10 long days say no thank you to delicious hotel food. Luckily, I could see results almost immediately and the hotel at least served lots of vegetables and salads,” he laughs.
Apart from the diet, MD has undergone a lifestyle change and exercises up to six times per week. He loves CrossFit, cycling as well as jogging.
His life currently exists around time management. “If I don’t plan my day and stick to it, I get very nervous and worry that I won’t be able to get to everything. When I do something, I go for it wholeheartedly for the time being without worrying about the next task,” he says.
MD is husband to Denise and dad to two boys Divan (4) and Lenro (3). The singer credits his family as a big part of his big lifestyle change. “I made the lifestyle change to spend more quality time with my family. I want to be able to one day run after a ball and play rugby with my boys. Currently I am their jungle gym at home and as a dad I don’t really have a choice but to stay healthy and fit,” he says.
MD and Denise have been married for seven years and he says they try to teach their kids to give as much of yourself as you can without wanting something in return. “Love for me means to give. It is a lot nicer to give in life and therefore love, to me, isn’t just for your wife or kids, but for everyone you interact with in life. Colleagues, car guards, family and even our four- legged pet friends,” MD says.
MD is tight-lipped about his Valentine’s Day plans but shares a special message with his wife and kids. “You make me the happiest man and dad in the world. Everything I do, I do for you, with love.”
