Radiobiz

[By: Kagiso Mnisi]

 

Every weekday morning on Talk Radio 702, we are sure to hear concerns (middle class at most), on gaping potholes and all the other stuff that keep the 7-8 LSM awake at night. The man who has been the conduit to it all these years is John Robbie. His backstory is uncanningly rooted in the field of play as a Rugby scrum half for heavies such as The British Lions; Robbie subsequently made a leap to sports broadcast and then talk radio in 2003. The seasoned morning jock lets Radiobiz in on his well of thoughts about a range of issues from competition with Power FM, cold Guinness and the Protection of State Information Bill

 

As a former rugby player, can you still tussle its out in any scrum on any given Sunday?

 

JR: These days I cannot run for a bus. I still love rugby however and am a Lions supporter to the hilt.

 

What do you appreciate most about being a morning presenter for a talk station?

 

JR: I get a chance to talk to a large number of people and hopefully inform and entertain them. In the morning many people are hearing about issues for the first time so in a way you get to set the agenda for the day. A huge responsibility.

 

How do you keep calm and focused when interviewing hot headed
figures?

 

JR: I am much better than in the early days. I have learned that you don’t have to win or convert or correct a guest. You just put the questions and let the audience make up their own minds.

 

What counts as must reads at the present moment in your life?

 

JR: I always read as many papers as I can. The Mail and Guardian each week is a must and also the Saturday Star in which I contribute.

 

A 100% black owned talk station known as Power FM is soon to launch, what do you think this holds for the lay of radio land?

 

JR: It is great competition for all of us. The more the merrier. We cannot influence them but will have to be as good as we possibly can be on 702 to thrive.

 

What is an Irish man to do when made to choose between warm Guinness and Johnny Walker Blue?

 

JR: I drink cold Guinness whenever I can. Mothers’ milk. I would love to be able to afford JWB but prefer a peaty, smoky single malt like Laphroig.

 

What are your honest sentiments about the looming Protection of State Information Bill?

 

JR: I am scared. Surely this government should be looking to share as much information as possible with its people instead of burying it? The way changes have had to be fought for at every stage is particularly concerning.

 

The much anticipated MTN South African Music Awards Concert is set to take place in ‘the friendly city’ of Port Elizabeth today Saturday, 27^th April 2013 at the Nelson Mandela Bay University Indoor Arena, Missionvale Campus. As a prelude to the MTN SAMA 19 on May 10^th and 11^th at Sun City, the concert will feature Mzansi’s finest musicians previously nominated in the MTN SAMAs.

 

The list of performances will showcase a selection of MTN SAMA nominees including … and other artists such as kwaito sensations Character and Big Nuz, hip-hop artist Zakwe, Afro Pop star Kelly Khumalo, Afro Soul singer Zonke and the undisputed king of Downloads, DJ Cleo, who has walked away with 12 MTN SAMA awards to date.

 

18 lucky winners from the Eastern Cape Province plus five (5) of their friends will be chaperoned on an-all-expenses-paid VIP experience to the concert. This is a first for the awards and MTN is excited to reward music fans for their support and passion for South Africa’s music industry. “As title sponsors of the MTN SAMAs, we are pleased that the concert is finally coming to fruition. Based on the number of votes received for the competition, it is testimony to the fact that the Eastern Cape is passionate about music and fans are eager to see the MTN SAMA winners perform live,” says Ryan Gould GM Brand & Comms at MTN SA. 

 

Music fans around Nelson Mandela Bay can purchase tickets at Computicket outlets including Shoprite/Checkers including at the venue at R50 seated and R70 standing. Gates open at 14h00 and due to security reasons the following items will be prohibited from the venue drugs, weapons, cooler bags cameras and recording equipment.

[Issued by: Dstv Online]

 

MultiChoice will be making some adjustments to its DStv audio bouquet on 7 May 2013. DMX Channel 112 which is currently called Subterranean will be replaced by House Party on the same channel.

 

The following DMX channels will be removed from DStv Compact and DStv Family: Classic Rock (DMX channel 119) and Contemporary Instrumentals (DMX channel 135). These will be replaced by House Party (DMX channel 112) and Urban Adult Contemporary (DMX channel 123).

 

Three of the radio stations on the audio bouquet will be renamed. Channel 150 will now be named BBC World Service English, Channel 151 will become BBC Afrique and Français and Channel 152 will become BBC African language.

 

The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s public broadcasting service radio station, 2000FM, is pleased to announce that Thami Ngubeni, Lupi Ngcayisa, Kia Johnson, Bongani  Nxumalo, Kitty Phetla, Lindo Zici and Kass Naidoo are the new voices that will be joining the station onWednesday 01 May 2013.

 

 

 

 

The revamped line-up will also feature Gavin Koppel, the father of singer/songwriter Danny K, who will be a contributor on the weekend show driving issues of Social Cohesion. Gavin Koppel is currently a breakfast host at Chai FM – a Jewish community based radio station in Johannesburg.

 

 

The new line-up will continue to entertain, inspire and engage with the listeners of 2000FM.  

2000FM Station Manager Carlito Sheik said “2000FM is proud of its current presenter line-up and modest achievements thus far.The station is stable with more than 100 000 new listeners listening to the station this year as opposed to last year.

 

 

The station will continue to increase its brand awareness & relevancy through continuous improvement and innovation when it comes to covering all the action as it happens for its listeners and advertisers. The station’s new rejuvenated sound will appeal more to 35+ adult female mature audiences across all races that are not being catered for on the national and regional radio competitive landscape”.

 

He further added that “The station is also positioning itself to become more appealing to national advertisers who find the content on 2000FM real, relevant cutting edge and extremely authentic.  

 

The station has shuffled certain shows, introduced new content and voices to the 2013/2014 presenter line up due for launch on May 1st 2013. Some of these new voices are popular household names and come to us from across the country.

 

 We are confident that this year will be the best year 2000FM has seen thus far, from an audience and revenue point of view”.

 

“An exponential return on investment (ROI) to the most valued stakeholder, our listeners countrywide as well as internationally, digitally, is almost guaranteed.

 

To the Trade/Advertising Industry, to mention but a few other important stakeholders we service as 2000FM, the station in now positioned to deliver successfully on fully integrated campaigns, to an economically viable market going forward…” states Desiree Oliphant, Marketing Manager: 2000FM

 

Keep it locked to 2000 FM 97.2 -100fm nationwide to listen to the fastest growing national radio station which has proved itself again and created a SABC first –a SABC radio innovation which will change the radio industry.  

 

The new lineup is as follows:

Weekdays:

Time Channel    Presenter/ Teams:

6am – 9am –      Justice, Zai Khan, Kia Johnson

9am – 12pm      Angela Ludek&Matsheko Mosito,

12pm – 3pm      Bertha Charuma, Lupi Ngcayisa & Lebo Mabena

3pm – 4pm        Victor K, Kass Naidoo

4pm – 7pm        Ernest Pillay , Lizette Khan

7pm – 9pm        Thami Ngubeni

9pm – 12pm      David Mashabela

12pm – 3am      NtombiPhiri  

3am – 6am        Bambo Johnson

Weekends:

Time Channel    Presenter/ Teams:

6am – 9am –      Kenny Nkwashu

9am – 12pm       KG Moeketsi

12pm – 3pm       Shawnie B  

3pm – 6pm         Victor K

6pm – 9pm        Bongani Nxumalo

9pm – 12am       Kitty Phetla

12am – 3am       Buyile Mdladla

3am – 6am         Lindo Zici

 

[Issued by: 2000FM]

Fast making its mark on the country’s radio landscape, VUMA 103FM, the commercial isiZulu inspirational lifestyle radio station, which went live to air in November last, year, has attracted a stellar line-up of exciting additional presenters to its studios.

 

The station based in Umhlanga Newtown in Durban, announced today (April 25) that four new presenters would be added to the schedule from May 6 complementing the current vibrant line-up. New to the airwaves are businesswoman, model, and the first South African Survivor winner Vanessa Marawa, who is joined by Idols personality and singing sensation, Lloyd Cele. Two veterans of radio, the seasoned Lucky Sefatsa and the legendary Grant Shakoane, promise to add a wealth of experience to the dynamic established team.

 

 

“As Kwazulu-Natal’s only inspirational radio station we are strengthening our current talented roster with the introduction of some exciting new voices to the radio landscape and also re-introducing some beloved and familiar names for our listeners.” explains new Programmes Manager Thando Makhunga, “With Vanessa and Lloyd we will be bringing a fresh new approach to the airwaves and we are confident that Lucky and Grant will add their veteran savvy and warm charm to the station.”

 

“With the introduction of these new presenters, we have had to make some alterations in our scheduling,” explains Phindi Gule, Station Manager. “We are delighted to announce that Leleti Khumalo, co-host of the Kwasa Breakfast Show, is pregnant, and she will be taking maternity leave from July. We have therefore persuaded Vanessa, to take up the challenge and join the fun and madness of the breakfast show with Felix Hlophe. We are confident that Vanessa, who has a great voice for radio and a charming warm personality will slot in very comfortably with the morning drive team and add her appealing sense of humour to the show.”

 

 

“An amazing electric on-air chemistry has developed in the afternoon drive time show with current hosts Linda Ndimande and Ndoni Radebe.” says Gule. “We want to now channel this energy into the lunchtime slot, and Lucky Sefatsa will now host the afternoon drive show. Lucky, brings almost twenty years of radio experience to the station, and has a natural and connected rapport with his listeners.”

 

 

“I am very excited and have always wanted to venture into a new format of radio.” Says Sefatsa. “It’s the same feeling that I had when I started off in radio, and it’s a breath of fresh air.”

 

“The gracious and genteel Dumi B, who is currently in the afternoon slot will now host the 7pm to 10pm programme. Dumi will be joined by Leleti on Mondays to Wednesdays. Leleti, who will be reshuffling her priorities in preparation for motherhood, will also be hosting her own show on Thursday evenings.”

 

Veteran radio legend, Grant Shakoane who captured the hearts of listeners around the country and who will be remembered for coining the catchphrases “If it’s good, it’s Grant” and “For the time of your life, and life of your time”, promises to add a compassionate ear and warmth of heart to the Sunday 12 to 3pm slot. This will be followed by the enchanting and personable star of stage and screen, Lloyd Cele from 3 to 7pm.

 

 

“I have been away from radio educating and helping to raise my grandchildren.” says Shakoane aka Mr Shibababoo Shibaboo. “I am really very excited to be coming back to the airwaves. I come to Vuma as a blank canvas that wants to be painted by inspiration.”

 

“We are truly excited with this new line-up and we look forward to the extra dynamics that these presenters will add to the mix and, of course to the response from our loyal and ever-increasing listenership.” says Gule.

 

“We have been encouraged, through the prolific interaction and engagement on our social media platforms, that we are providing the much-needed inspirational authentic isiZulu content that out listeners are wanting.” concludes Nolan Vernon, Chief Operating Officer. “We have used these initial start up months to develop our internal processes and fine-tune our programming. We believe that by introducing these extraordinary additional talent to the station, that we will be able to offer even more uplifting and inspirational radio content to the people of KZN.”

 

The new programme will be available on www.vumafm.co.za on May 6.  Follow on Facebook VUMAFM or Twitter @VumaFM.

[By: Kagiso Mnisi]

 

Can it be?

Deregulation of banks was cited as one of the major contributors to kickstart the domino effect of financial woes in 2008. When major banks around Europe started their crusade for privatization it was open season for major corporations to wheel and deal in outright gluttony for a couple of slices of the pie. As widely ranted about, the buy in by these majors resulted in careless spending of public’s money through dicey derivatives which were really a high-minded way of saying ‘Indeed it’s your cash we are gambling with, but you’d be stupid not to trust us since we have these degrees in economics’. Now with that kind of extrapolation, can SABC’s commercial radios play a similar game where major interest would come from the private sector? Furthermore can it realistically be an entity on its own without any government interference?

 

Context, closer to home

 

The commercial radio landscape has vastly improved in the last years. Gone are the days when old formatting had with it a personality in the morning with sides kicks around them, and money in advertising put behind the show. The years of old also had very safe and scientific play lists, weather and traffic for good measure. The ante has been amped to a proportion where brands want to associate themselves with shows that exude a certain kind of character. This of sort happen stance is theoretically fertile for private parties that would want to have a chunk of interest. Commercial radio stations have also positioned themselves in a way that appeases a technologically savvy market by purveying content through non traditional means such as social media which has had forward thinking planners taking advantage.

 

 

What of the relationship between the private, labour and government?

 

During the recent furore surrounding the announcement of a new SABC interim board, the Communication Workers Union reiterated its support for the dissolution of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) board, saying a new board could bring much needed stability to the broadcaster as well as “transparent, independent” oversight. But observation of recent developments, labour is clearly in contention with government based on its apprehension to back of the current administration for the next elections. And it’s long standing position (well at least at face value depending on its public relations drive at a given time), has been to view capitalism as not equally beneficial to all in the country. This tug of pushing and pulling, creates a rather uncomfortable three way and would clearly amass to an uncontainable bruhaha if sights are set on making SABC commercial a sole entity in its own.

 

Existence as an independent entity, ideally

 

For a turn in this ambitious direction, plenty of spot checks would have to be comprehensively adhered to. As a body that would be existing in an ever changing world, SABC commercial would have to adapt to the needs of a cross-section of audiences. Planners at hand would have to be aware that a campaign that works for a brand conscious youthful personality won’t necessarily be received with the same enthusiasm by for instance another young person who is avid church goer. Under a hypothetical SABC commercial stable, stations would have to go beyond Radio Audience Measurements (RAMS) and also encompass brand attributes, unique opportunities in alignment with making the entity have a soul of its own.

 

The array of ‘sister stations’ existing under the stable would have to strike a synergy that wards off any form of brand fragmentation, there would have to be collaborative feats for this to happen. The bottom line for a potential independent entity is thus: there is no perfect example of a radio entity; it is a medium that constantly requires innovation and courage.

 

Safe to say, privatizing some of the world’s major financial institutions was novel on paper to foster competition and momentum. But in hindsight the collapse came from unethical and risky operations that did not have the interest of the people at heart. Can SABC commercial prove to be a uniquely South African conception that is totally different to the world’s banks in putting audiences first and still be competitive? Yes, when most of us have long gone and this country has new found scruples by a generation of genuine born frees. Those with soul, vision and courage.

 

 

Some of the material on this article was sourced from the below:

Idea Engineers (trends) [www.ideaengineers.co.za]

Kagiso Media [www.kagisomedia.co.za]

Inside job: defaced, documentary on the financial crisis

 

 

 

Algoa FM enters the winter season with a hot new line-up of presenters and shows. Vuyani Nogemane (Vinny) will be presenting a new 10pm to 2am show during weekdays from the beginning of May. Born in Fort Beaufort in the Eastern Cape, Vinny started his career in radio at CBFM before moving on to spend six years on air and behind the scenes at OFM in the Free State.

 
KayCee Rossouw will be hosting the weekday 7-10pm slot, while the popular Tové Kane will be presenting Saturday lunch. The changes follow the departure of Mio Khondleka and his wife Queenie Grootboom who are relocating to Johannesburg.

 
“We’re excited about the changes and are confident that our audience will enjoy their favourite presenters in their respective new time slots and welcome the new addition to our team”, says Operations Director, Alfie Jay.

 
In other line-up news, Doreen Loubser, who presented the 5-6 am slot has joined the acclaimed Algoa FM news team full time. Graham Roberts has been hosting the show since the start of April, and Drew Serfontein has been presenting the 10pm to 2am weekend shows since the first weekend in April.

 
Highly experienced and versatile broadcaster Charl Leslie has accepted an offer to be the station’s music compiler. This follows the departure of Keri Martens to the Cape Town based KFM. “This very demanding and challenging role will require his full attention and for this reason his early morning shift has been transformed into “The Magic Music Mix. Listeners can still enjoy Charl on his Sunday Breakfast Show from 6-9am, featuring Charl Cooks”, says Jay.

 
“We are confident that Charl’s wealth of experience will make a valuable contribution to the station”, says Managing Director of Algoa FM, Dave Tiltmann.

 

Nigerian superstar 2 Face (@2faceidibia) is the latest all star to sign up for MTV Africa All Stars KwaZulu-Natal with Snoop Lion, the urban music extravaganza staged by MTV Base and KwaZulu-Natal Province in Durban on Saturday, 18 May.

 

Tickets for MTV Africa All Stars KwaZulu-Natal with Snoop Lion go on sale from 25 April at R40, and further ticket promotions on radio, TV and online will ensure that the concert attracts the widest possible audience. Tickets will be available at Computicket outlets, via the Computicket website (

www.computicket.com), on the Computicket call centre (0861 915 8000) and at branches of Shoprite Stores, Checkers, Checkers Hyper and House & Home stores (see Computicket for terms & conditions).

 

Riding high in the charts with Ihe Neme, 2Face joins Snoop Lion (@SnoopLion), Flavour (@2niteFlavour) and Zakes Bantwini (@ZakesBantwiniSA) at the stunning urban music concert, to be staged at Moses Mabhida Stadium (@MMStadium), People’s Park, Durban. The charismatic singer will be a hugely popular addition to the lineup at the All Stars gig, where he is expected to take fans on a musical journey starting with his early material in Platashun Boiz through to recent hits like Implication, I Just Wanna Be There, One Love and No Dulling.

 

More than 10 000 people are expected to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime concert as Snoop Lion aka Snoop Dogg, the legendary hip hop icon turned reggae superstar, performs his greatest hits interspersed with his new, Reincarnated reggae-flavoured repertoire.

 

More details about MTV Africa All Stars KwaZulu-Natal with Snoop Lion, including additional performers, will be announced shortly.

 

Doors for MTV Africa All Stars KwaZulu-Natal with Snoop Lion open at 17:00 CAT on Saturday, 18 May, and the first performance starts at 18:30 CAT

 

Some of the country’s leading brands are using the biggest event in the South African entertainment industry, the forthcoming 19th Annual MTN South African Music Awards (MTN SAMA 19), to leverage their portfolios. MTN SAMA 19 has teamed up with leading lifestyle, automotive, ICT, premium beer and broadcast partners to present the biggest and most technically advanced installment of these prestigious awards yet on May 11 at the Sun City Superbowl.

 

MTN, SABC 1, Amstel Lager, Adams & Adams, KIA Motors South Africa, Mageu Number 1, CAN DO!, RiSA and the Department of Arts and Culture are proud official partners of MTN SAMA 19.

 

For the Department of Arts and Culture supporting the MTN South African Music Awards is one of the many interventions they are making to raise the profile of their cultural and creative industries, with a view to unleash their potential as key contributors to economic growth, job creation and the building of sustainable livelihoods.

 

Headline sponsors MTN have been a sponsor for 10 years and this year have promised the most digitally connected awards yet.  The awards will be streamed live and in real time on mobile (www.mtnsamatv.mobi) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/samusicawards). Fans will be able to watch interviews with their favourite artists LIVE on the Y’ello Carpet on their mobile phones and online.  Furthermore clips will be packaged and uploaded as Video on demand content, so those that do not catch the LIVE stream can still watch the action on the mobisite (www.mtnsamatv.mobi) and on the official MTN SAMA You Tube Channel (www.youtube.com/samusicawards).

 

One of the biggest draw cards to the MTN South African Music Awards is the fact that they enjoy live broadcast on SABC1 Mzansi Fo Sho, providing an exciting factor of immediacy and relevancy to television audiences! The MTN South African Music Awards presents SABC 1 with an opportunity to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to the development of the music industry in South Africa and to play an active role in celebrating and paying homage to the vast talents and achievements of our very own music industry.

 

For Kia Motors South Africa, MTN SAMA 19 gives them the opportunity to showcase the newly launched Kia Optima, featuring the all new GDI engine as the official vehicle at this year’s star-studded event. Kia Motors South Africa will once again assign a total of fifteen Optima’s that will be used to chauffeur celebrities and all other guests onto the yellow carpet prior to the main awards function on the Saturday evening.

 

Amstel Lager joins as a sponsor and will host the exclusive Winner’s After Party and the Green Room, which is where winners of the various awards will be interviewed by the contingent of media houses expected to attend. Furthermore, Amstel Lager is the sponsor of the Lifetime Achievement Award to be handed out on Friday, 10 May.

 

This year sees law firm Adams & Adams continue as an official sponsor and exclusive legal consultant to the MTN SAMAs – for the second year in a row. The law firm has been committed to educating those in the entertainment industry – from record labels to musicians and composers, to artists, authors and film producers for over a century.

 

In keeping with their brand image of cool, fresh, enthusiastic and responsible youth, CAN DO! has teamed up with MTN SAMA 19 to sponsor the exciting Best Newcomer Category.

 

Not only will Mageu Number 1 be sponsoring the Best Traditional Music Award, they will also be giving back as part of a campaign that will see the winner of this award receive R25 000 to uplift the community from which he/she comes. The brand also has an ongoing promotion that involves young aspiring designers who will get the opportunity to dress a prominent celebrity for MTN SAMA 19 in a traditional outfit that has a modern interpretation.

 

“We are extremely proud of our associations with these illustrious partners and leaders in their respective fields. These associations and partnerships ensure that we will be able to produce the best instalment of MTN SAMA yet”, added SAMA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi.

 

The main MTN SAMA 19 awards ceremony, which takes place at the Sun City Superbowl will be televised live on SABC1 from 8.30pm on Saturday, 11 May 2013.

The event is not open to under 18’s.

 

Issued by: 

CRUSH PR

 

The SABC Interim Board has told parliament on Tuesday how it intends to help the public broadcaster resolve some of its challenges which include increasing viewership numbers, bringing stability at the executive level due to vacancies and servicing the government guarantee.

 

The Interim Board was appearing before parliament for the first time since it was appointed. It also emerged during the meeting that only four out of the five board members are functioning.

The Board says one of its members, Dr Iraj Aberdian, cited possible conflict of interest for continuing to serve as a member of the board. Committee chairperson, Eric Kholwane, says a legal opinion is still being sought on this issue.

 

According to Kholwane, upon receiving the indication form, the board then requested the legal service to deal with the matter so that they can guide the interim committee in terms of now how they should move forward with the matter regarding Aberdian.

 

 

Earlier this month, interim board chairperson, Zandile Shabalala, said their immediate responsibility is to bring stability at the public broadcaster. She further appealed for calm and support during their period at the helm of the SABC board.

 

[Source: SABC]