It's been busy at Kaya959. They are undergoing structural changes in its camp and they are welcoming new members.
In a statement, Kaya959 announced the station will be joined by Metro FM DJ Dineo Ranaka and Podcast and Chill co-host Solomzi ‘Sol’ Phenduka, who both have extensive radio experience.
“The move is in line with the continuous repositioning the station has embarked on since 2021. Dineo is widely acknowledged for her mastery of the craft of radio,” the statement reads.
Kaya959 Managing director Sibongile Mtyali says Dineo’s “radio savvy, dynamic personality and life experience coupled with Sol’s sharp wit and broad knowledge are just the combination Kaya959 needs to make a mark with the Code-Switcher who is on a journey to advance themselves.”
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The co-presenter of the biggest podcast in Africa, Sol says he looks forward to going back to radio and reawakening the dying horse.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been on radio and I am excited and looking forward to I am very grateful for the opportunity,” he tells Drum.
Although he will me moving to radio, Sol will continue working on Podcast and Chill with MacG.
“I will still be doing the podcast. The two don’t clash at all; one is for a completely different audience on the internet and the other one is terrestrial radio. I’ll remain doing it. As many may know, I have been on radio before and have lots of experience on the medium and I believe there is still enough freedom for my personality to shine. I’ll be myself.”
But unlike on the podcast where he is allowed to be explicit, he will remain himself but tone down the profanity.
“I’ll still be myself but obviously not as explicit. The podcast has an age restriction of 18 years old and radio has language perimeters that one has to adhere to. I look forward to working with all Kaya959 presenters. I still tune in to listen to Tbose the legend, Sizwe and Mbali Dlamini whom I have worked with at YFM.”
Dineo announced her departure from Metro FM show The Bridge in a statement. She hosted the show alongside Lerato Kganyago on weekdays between 10am and midday.
“After 4 years, Dineo Ranaka’s time at Metro FM has come to an end. Her last show on air will be on Friday, 17th June 2022. This comes after a fantastic opportunity presented itself and the timing could not have been perfect for Ranaka,” she said.
“The road does not end here for Dineo in radio. Details pertaining to her new radio home will be shared in due course. She will also take this time to work on her music career and the OpenID podcast. Following the warm reception Ukhona featuring Nokwazi received from her fans, Ranaka plans to release her second single in July 2022.”
In an interview with Drum, Dineo said she will miss everything about working for Metro FM.
“My time at Metro FM has been nothing short of amazing and adventurous. I have enjoyed both my relationship with management, colleagues, listeners, as well as advertisers. It has truly been beautiful,” she says.
“An opportunity to expand myself has been presented to me and it was one I couldn’t resist. There’s truly nothing I won’t miss. Metro FM is surely an institute that I have had the most fun in my radio career thus far. I was entrusted with a great responsibility to increase listenership as well revenue and have excelled in both because of the freedom and acceptance I was granted.”
Kaya 959 will announce the new line-up additions on 1 July 2022.
