mce_keep=”true”Vukile Zondi, programming manager at YFM, ascribes the recent wave of personnel moves at local radio stations to poaching.
“It is a natural progression of a radio industry that has become extremely competitive. I think it’s a case of commercial radio stations poaching from one another. It’ll definitely carry on and maybe even intensify.”
align=justifyHelen Graham, 5FM’s station manager, says because there is a “relatively small pool” of radio talent in South Africa, good DJs are high in demand.
align=justify”I would imagine most moves would be for opportunities which offer career growth. It think moving (for this reason) is (however) a trend of the South African workplace, not particularly for the radio industry.”
align=justifyGraham says the significant changes to 5FM’s line-up were prompted by the departure of Nicole Fox and Ian F. “Their departures from 5FM obviously meant that certain changes needed to be made, and we spent a lot of time working out what we believe is the optimal programming schedule for our listeners.
align=justifyBoth the “strategic and musical direction that the station has taken over the past 3 to 5 years” remain unchanged.
align=justifyDJ moves that have been confirmed by the respective radio stations include:
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align=justify5FM, one of the SABC’s Public Commercial Radio Services stations, will undergo a schedule revamp from 1 April, as it waves goodbye to Fox, Ian F and Kevin Fine. The station welcomes new talent: Rob Vember (formerly on Heart 104.9 FM in Cape Town) and Grant Nash and Anele Mdoda (previously of 94.7 Highveld Stereo).
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align=justifyYFM will see a number of DJs leave at the end of the month. Rudeboy Paul and Tumi Mochekele of the Beat Eruption (weekends 21:00 – 00:00) have resigned to pursue other interests. The following DJs’ contracts with YFM were not renewed: Sandile “Sanza da Fanatik”, Pabi Moloi, Thato “Mr T” Mataboge, Lusindiso “Lusi Tan” Tantsi and Amon Mokoena. DJ Sbu has left the SABC’s Ukhozi FM and will be returning to fill the 06:00 – 09:00 slot to be vacated by Rude Boy Paul and Sanza.
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align=justifyJulio Garcia will also leave 94.7 Highveld Stereo. It is yet to be confirmed who will be replacing Garcia, Nash and Mdoda.
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align=justifyMichelle Constant, Barney Simon, Benjy Mudie and Mixael de Kock are leaving the SABC’s Radio 2000, which is repositioning itself. “Just-Ice” Ramohlola has left Kaya 95.9 FM and will be hosting the Radio 2000 midday show from 13:00 – 16:00. Zai Khan, from Lotus FM in Durban, will also be joining the team.
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align=justifyNeil Johnson, programming manager for Kaya, says a DJ shake-up can be expected every year at this time because contracts are negotiated in March and April. “This has happened for as long as I can remember, for the past seven or eight years. Some contracts are not renewed and DJs move to different stations.”
align=justify■This is an updated version of the story first published on TheMediaOnline. Graham’s comments were added.
