It's the first of April today, and that means fresh changes and reshuffles on our local airwaves. While some broadcasters will hang their headphones knowingly, others might be in for a surprise when their contracts are not renewed for the year 2022. After all, Metro FM is known for dropping bombs on their presenters, right?
There have been plenty of radio changes announced this past week with some seasoned broadcasters making their comebacks to the SABC radio. Penny Lebyane, Tbo Touch, Mapaseka Mokwele, and Proverb are some of the few seasoned broadcasters coming back to the SABC while many other presenters from Youth and regional commercial stations finally earn their spots on National radio with much larger listenerships.
Penny Lebyane is one of the most seasoned female radio broadcasters in South Africa who started her radio career back in 1997 at the then Voice of Soweto, now known as Jozi FM. She has since worked for SABC stations including Limpopo’s Thobela FM, Metro FM, and was almost always deemed radio’s troublesome lady with many programs managers not wanting to put her back on the airwaves due to her spiciness and sharp tongue. For the past couple of years, Penny handled the breakfast show at DJ Sbu’s online radio station Massiv Metro but fans often criticized the fact that she’s way above the station and deserves so much more.
Penny now makes a hugely anticipated comeback to the airwaves as Radio 2000’s new presenter. She will be holding it down on Sundays from 15:00 - 18:00 with a lifestyle show called “Inspired Sunday” where she will engage extraordinarily inspiring South Africans who’ve beaten many odds. In an official statement by Radio 2000, they shared their excitement in welcoming this broadcast powerhouse, adding that “Penny is not a stranger to radio and is well known as one of the pioneers of female radio broadcasting in South Africa.”
Another familiar addition to Radio 2000’s seasoned broadcasters’ lineup is Mapaseka Mokwele who comes in for the holistic lifestyle living talk show called “Life, Love and All” from 19:00 - 21:00 from Monday to Thursday. She is also a seasoned broadcaster who’s been on a radio hiatus after hanging her headphones from a 7-year tenure on Kaya FM’s talk show in 2019. The well-respected broadcaster and wife to Thabo Mokwele will be hosting a show that caters for all aspects of Radio 2000’s listeners’ "wellbeing and provides a platform where these can be openly explored, explained, and engaged.”
Another exciting radio comeback is Tbo Touch’s return to the biggest commercial radio station in the country, Metro FM. He comes back for the drive time slot he’s popular for, “The Touchdown '' taking over from the Kings of the Weekend,DJ Spectacular, and Naves. Tbo Touch whose real name is Thabo Molefe was rumored to be the most paid radio presenter in the country back at his time on Metro and the rumors remain that his comeback was made possible at a sizzling offer of R480 000 per month, plus a solid R30 000 car allowance.
Another addition to the Metro FM airwaves is Yfm’s former leading lady Khutso Theledi who is reuniting with former Yfm breakfast host Moeti Tsiki popularly known as Moflava as co-host of the Wake Up On Metro breakfast show from 5:00 - 9:00 on Metro FM.
Idols’ ProVerb is also joining the mighty Metro alongside Lerato Kganyago as co-host of the lunchtime show, The Midday Linkup from 12:00 - 15:00.
The station’s business manager Kina Nhlengethwa told Sowetan Live about the new changes; “Metro FM has maintained its coolest radio station position for the past nine years at the Sunday Times Generation Next Awards and remains committed to maintaining its position as South Africa’s number one commercial radio station.”
