Contrary to what happened this time last year, when some stations opted for the unknown voices over the tried and tested, it looks as if the global economic crisis has prompted the selectors to stick to the latter.
Sidney Baloyi is one of those earmarked to replace Eric Myeni at SAfm, this after Myeni was fired last year for allegedly bringing the station into disrepute. If negotiations between Baloyi and SABC are successful, he will be simultaneously hosting two radio shows for two radio stations. He will continue with his morning job as a breakfast host of Munghana Lonene then in the evenings he will be doing the night slot at SA FM.
“I should know sometime this week if I've got that post at SA FM. I am one of the people the station has been talking with as a possible replacement for Myeni. The SABC has been toying with the idea of me working on the two sister stations; they are not direct competitors. It will be good to have someone who speaks Tsonga at SAfm," Baloyi told Bizcommunity.com earlier this week.
Word in the corridors is that Bonang Matheba of SABC1's music programme LIVE, is joining GP's hottest frequency next month. When Bizcommunity.com contacted her, Matheba could not deny nor confirm that she will be joining YFM on 2 April. “I was told not to say anything before the station sends out a press release. At this point I can neither deny nor confirm that I will be joining Y and which programme I will be doing," she said.
According to a reliable source, the station has cut ties with the allegedly problematic daddy Vukani Masinga, better known as Chillie M. According to a source he was told last week by the station to find a new place where he can chill. This happened shortly after he just returned from suspension three weeks ago for allegedly violating the station's playlist policy by airing Durban-based DJ Twitty's song Bacaza.
Primedia Broadcasting announced beginning of the week that Kenny Maistry will be leaving 94.7 Highveld Stereo in Sandton to join Metro FM in Auckland Park. It is believed that Maistry will be replacing Thomas Masengana aka Bad Boy T and his family in the breakfast slot. According to City Press, Bad Boy T will be heading to Newtown to join his former colleague (Phat Joe) and boss (Creg Maloka) at Kaya FM. The newspaper reported that the futures of the other members of the breakfast show are still uncertain at this point.
There was also talk that Amon Mokoena could be replacing Penny Lebyane in the 12pm - 3pm slot at Metroville.
When Bizcommunity.com contacted Mokoena two weeks previously, he said he was yet to meet with the station managers to negotiate a new contract and asked that he be contacted at a later stage after he had met with them. However, when contacted again earlier this week, he responded, “I don't know what is happening; my meeting was postponed and I haven't met with them yet. I guess we will all know on Thursday [night] when a new list will be unveiled."
So let's wait and see what will be revealed tonight in Fourways, Johannesburg, when Metro FM and Jameson Gold Reserve reveal the new station lineup in "a night of glitz and glam"...
