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Ukhozi FM’s acting business manager Busani Mthembu and acting programmes manager, Mandla Mdletshe, are expected to announce the new line-up for the 2025/26 season. Photo by Jabulani Langa
MZANSI’S number one radio station, Ukhozi FM, experienced significant drama in 2024.
The station faced a series of unexpected resignations, and top management resigned.
Additionally, the station’s leading presenter was silenced, and it lost several key presenters.
The Mzansi leading radio station with about 7,5 million listeners is expected to announce its new line-up for the 2025/26 season.
The pressing question is: who will be in, and who will be out?
In 2024, a significant blow occurred when the Durban-based station parted ways with one of its top presenters, Nongcebo McKenzie, after 16 years.
She was excluded from the 2024/25 season line-up. The station also mourned the deaths of key presenters Bheka “Beekay” Mchunu and Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule.
Siya Mhlongo was silenced on air following an assault scandal.
Further turmoil ensued with resignations from October to December 2024. Pearl Maseko Binqose unexpectedly resigned as programmes manager in October.
She was followed by Sbongi Ngcobo, who left his role as business manager in November, and Mandla Magwaza, who resigned as technical producer and presenter in December after over a decade with the station.
Ukhozi FM is now under new management, with Busani Mthembu acting as business manager and Mandla Mdletshe as programmes manager.
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About 7,5 million listeners eagerly await to see how Mthembu and Mdletshe manage this challenging task as the station begins negotiating contract renewals for the new season.
The new line-up is expected to be announced soon, with the season starting on 1 April 2025.
Listeners are questioning whether top presenters such as Nongcebo Mackenzie will be left out of the new line-up.
After Beekay’s passing, Tshatha Ngobe took over the Sigiya Ngengoma maskandi show slot.
The question remains whether Tshatha will continue in this role or if someone else will replace him.
Similarly, following Zanele’s passing, Thembeka Zondo-Cele stepped in to fill the Eshilo gospel show slot.
It’s yet to be determined whether Thembeka will continue hosting or a new presenter will be appointed.
Following Magwaza’s departure, the Ukhozi FM Urban Top 20 was handed to Mafresh Mpungose. Will Mafresh remain in this role?
Since Siya Mhlongo was silenced on his Ubusuku Obuhle show, multiple presenters have filled in since September.
The question remains whether the station will renew Siya’s contract and unmute him or entrust the show to someone else.
In 2024, Siphiwe Sibiya emerged as a new talent during the Winnie Mahlangu Female Presenter Search.
Currently hosting an early morning training show for new presenters, will she be given her show like previous winners who now host primetime slots?
Another question is whether listeners will hear fresh talent being introduced or if management will simply reshuffle existing presenters.
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