The new radio season is fast approaching, and many changes will be made before April.
One of the most significant changes has already taken place at MetroFM, with weekend reports saying Thabo “Tbo Touch” Molefe (41) has been offered R480 000 per month to take on the afternoon drive slot at the radio station. The nearly half-a-million rand monthly salary offer was made in a “desperate bid to arrest listenership bleed and woo back lost advertisers”, according to a Sunday World report.
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The article also stated that Tbo Touch was approached by SABC CEO Madoda Mxakwe in 2021 and the presenter requested R1 million a month to return to the station, but later agreed to go back on the condition that he gets his afternoon drive show back and R480 000 salary per month, including R30 000 for a car allowance.
But the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has denied these reports, saying EXCO approved standardised freelance rates which would not see anyone earning even half of the amount.
“The public broadcaster rejects the deliberate misinformation as it is misleading and factually incorrect,” SABC spokesperson Gugu Ntuli said in a statement.
“The SABC’s radio stations are guided by EXCO approved standardised freelance rates, which would not see anyone earning even half of the amount quoted in the newspaper. Lastly, independent contractors do not get involved in soliciting sales and sponsorship, as the SABC does not have a commission scheme that covers individuals outside of Sales staff,” the statement reads.
Tbo Touch resigned from Metro FM almost six years ago following an alleged fallout with the SABC and joined forces with former Idols SA judge Gareth Cliff to start digital station Touch HD. During that time, Tbo Touch also ventured into the booze business and launched 48gin.
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In 2021 he announced he was launching a media broadcasting school and would be the new executive director of the International Institute of Broadcasting (IIOB), a private tertiary academic institution specialising in the broadcasting industry that was founded by South African veteran broadcasting industry leaders who have a strong aspiration to educate, develop and empower South African talent.
In a post on social media, Touch also said there's a serious drought in talent development in our media landscape. “I switch from radio and TV stations from time and time and ask myself what happened? Toast to the few that still got that spark and those who are yet to come," he wrote. "After a long chat with industry friends, I realised that education is at the nucleus of this drought.
“The top five iconic radio personalities in the world are hardly on social media. A social media following is not the sole accurate measure of influence. It has to be sustained by the depth of your talent, skill and gravitas. I decide to approach industry heavyweights to join me in crafting the next John Kani or Oprah Winfrey.”
Last year, the radio personality slapped the board members of Soweto TV with a defamation lawsuit after he was accused of “illegally and corruptly” appointing a service provider during his tenure as CEO of the station.
