It's that time of the year when radio stations shake it up. Some will stay, some will move and some will have new additions to their teams.
The changes have radio junkies all excited.
Most stations have been announcing their new line-ups on social media this past week. While some shifts have been received as bad news, most of it has been good news with campus and community radio talents moving up to commercial radio.
The first three months of the year are nerve wrecking for many radio practitioners as it is around this time that decisions on contracts are made.
This year though, prayers have definitely landed for talents such as Vow FM’s Pretty Ngwenya and Boipelo ‘Kgosigadi’ Hlapane.
“Joining Metro FM feels so unreal yet so euphoric. We've been misled to believe that such opportunities don't happen for women like us and yet here I am 'breaking protocol' and I'm excited to embark on this new chapter and only hope I do justice,” Pretty tells Drum.
Pretty will be hosting the early morning weekend show called The Lift from 3am to 6am on Metro FM while Kgosigadi’s electric voice will be the first many get to hear in the morning on You FM’s breakfast show called Your Mornings With Malume.
She will be co-hosting alongside Dj Ankletap whose supporters are dubbed Mchanas. The two are both originally from the North West so returning to enrich their home province’s station is a full circle for them.
In an Instagram post, Kgosigadi shared that “The past week has been surreal, ha kena mafoko a mantsi, but ditebogo (I don’t have many words but gratitude)! Let’s wake up together from the 3rd of April on You FM898."
The bubbly Kgosigadi will also be hosting Old School Hangout with You on Saturdays.
"It feels like a homecoming. I knew my time was coming for me to take over the radio waves, but never would I have thought my biggest break would be at the only independent commercial radio station in SA. Having that based in the North West makes it a real homecoming," she tells Drum.
DJ Ankletap's last show on YFM was an emotional one with a surprise studio visit from Dj Sbu who had popped by to give the radio presenter his flowers.
You FM also announced that Dj Josi Chave will be hosting The Weekend Switch Up show from 6pm to 10pm.
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Young talents aren’t the only ones moving up the radio ladder though. Faith Mangope and AB Dacosta are also jumping ship from PowerFM.
AB Dacosta will be bringing nostalgic sounds during the weekend with a show called The Vintage House on Fridays and Saturdays and a show called Afro Expression on Sundays on Radio2000.
Speaking to Drum, AB Dacosta says, “I am extremely excited! It feels like a perfect fit, especially with how I've positioned my brand over the past six years. For the past six years, I've been bridging the gap between generations with the type of radio that I do. It's not even something that I planned. It happened organically. Even though my focus has been on nostalgic sounds, I noticed that I had people from different generations listening to my shows. I also noticed that there was an appointment listening by many families. I've even spoken to many kids on air. So' this is the energy I'm hoping to continue with on Radio 2000. I am going to give it my all and hopefully make the shows the biggest in the country at that time.”
Faith, on the other hand, will host the Metro FM talk from 7pm to 9pm every Monday to Thursday.
Oldies’ favourites are also returning to the airwaves with Paul Mtirara taking over the mic from Faith until midnight every Monday to Thursday on the country’s #1 radio station.
Somizi Mhlongo will also be bringing his relationship expertise back to Metro FM’s The Bridge’s famous feature – Ask A Man and more of his radio experience to the station’s weekend breakfast show, alongside Khutso Theledi and Nthabiseng ‘Mat Elle’ Matela respectively.
Khutso Theledi on the other hand, who made the big move up to the station last year after 10 years at YFM, will be chairing the hot seat on the weekday mid-morning show. The ‘A Hi Fambeni’ phrase star had joined the station alongside Mo Flava, real name Moeti Tsiki, for the famous breakfast show with whom she had co-hosted before at the youth station.
Captioning a video of her and Mo Flava on Instagram after the announcement of Mo Flava’s exit, Khutso described their reunion as a gift that she’s grateful for.
“Our reunion a gift and grateful for what we’ve rebuilt. Our voices strong, our spirits high, creating magic across the land, only you and I will ever understand. From 2012, and then again to reunite with you in 2022. Your passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to your craft has inspired many beyond words. Your purpose is undeniable, and your ability to connect with many is truly remarkable. You have an incredible gift for making people feel heard, seen, valued, and reminding one the importance of staying true to your yourself,” the caption reads.
“Not a day goes by without you bringing your sense of joy and positivity to everything you do. Whether it’s through your infectious laughter, humility, brilliant mind with a heart so true. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations of radio broadcaster. You, Tsiki, are a true master of radio,” it further reads.
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Mo Flava has since been warmly welcomed at Primedia’s 947 where he will be solo hosting the weekday mid-morning show, taking over from Msizi James who will be on the airwaves later on in the day at 7pm with Bolele Polisa who’s also fairly new to 947’s pink and blue mic.
The award-winning Bolele joined the music station last year after winning the station’s presenter search, hanging her mic at UJ FM.
In a statement released by the station after the surprise announcement on “Joburg’s most fun breakfast show” on 30 March, Mo Flava says, “I am excited and honoured to be joining 947. I have always had the greatest admiration and respect for the Primedia platform, and I’m looking forward to experiencing every part of the 947 world. I can’t wait to meet the listeners and the 947 team. This is an opportunity for me to do radio at the highest level.”
Lamiez Holworthy on Metro FM and Khaya Mthethwa on Kaya FM will not be returning to the airwaves.
“It’s one hell of a radio season. Whether good or bad, it’s all up to the listener to decide. After all, they are the ones that make radio,” Pretty admits to Drum.
