CELEB BUZZ

RADIO RESHUFFLE

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March 12, 2024

Umhlobo Wenene implements changes ahead of new radio season

BY

Qhama Dayile

Samora Mangesi moves to Tru FM

Picture: Umhlobo Wenene

Radio reshuffling season has begun, and producers and presenters are negotiating their contracts. Many have their fingers crossed to either receive good time slots or to not lose their jobs. Almost at the tail end of their agreements is Umhlobo Wenene who has already agreed on a few changes. One includes on-air host and producer Samora Mangesi who has been moved to Tru FM.

UMHLOBO WENENE

While many might see it as a downgrade, this, according to an insider at the SABC, is an upgrade as he moves from hosting only two hours to six hours a week. "Yes, Tru FM has fewer listeners and numbers than Umhlobo Wenene, but this is great for him as he gets more working hours, meaning more money," the source reveals. Samora will be hosting the 9 pm to midnight show on Fridays and Saturdays. "This also means, he gets a better time slot than the one he had, which I see as a win." The source has also revealed that although Samora will not be presenting on the station, he will still be producing the Umhlobo Wenene podcast. "He is great at what he does and has been doing well. This should be good."

CONFIRMED

Samora confirms the news to ZiMoja. "Yes, I shall no longer be on Umhlobo Wenene FM from the 1st of April. It had been a conversation with management for a while where I voiced that I think I needed to be in a place that would better springboard me towards my greater aspirations and align with my long-term goals," she says. "As fun as it has been to be a part of the Umhlobo Wenene FM line-up. I have also learned a lot in my time there and those lessons will come in handy as I move to my next home." Samora adds, "Also, I am not leaving the station completely and look forward to taking up my new role in the digital and production departments, alongside my work at Channel Africa Radio and where we will be saying "Good evening" from on the 5th of April."

TRU FM CHANGES

The insider also tells ZiMoja that Tru FM presenter Reggie Solani will be moving over to Umhlobo Wenene. The Mossel-Bay-born radio host started his career at Radio Graaff-Reinet in 1999 when he was in High School. While studying at PE Tech, he entered a Bay Fm jock search competition and got second place. In April 2005 he joined Tru FM and in 2016 he joined UMhlobo Wenene FM as Content Producer for Sijik’ Langa. Unlike last year when the station made drastic changes, this year, they have kept them very minimal. "This I guess is a big move for him and great for his career. The changes that were made last year seemed to have done well for the station and not much has changed," the insider says.