Listeners have been wondering where the bubbly and husky voice has been. Piet Vusi Shabangu, also known as Vum Vuum has been off air for over three weeks without an explanation or reasons from management. ?
?DISMISSED
According to a colleague, before the new line-up was announced, Vum Vuumwas had already been dismissed. "He has not taken the news well. He doesn't want to talk about it and management has been hiding the reasons behind his dismissal," a colleague says. "It's really unfair. He has been very loyal to the station for years and to be dismissed unfairly without explanation is not fair." Another colleague says Vum Vuum has been complaining of health issues. "He was sick the last time we checked. He missed a show and apparently was dismissed. He is not in a good place right now. But he will be replaced by Mawaza." Vum Vuum has been unreachable for comment. SABC management confirmed that he is off air and did not elaborate on the reasons behind his dismissal.
NEW LINE-UP
?This week Ikwekwezi FM introduced changes to its line-up as it turns 40 years. From April this year, listeners can expect to start their day with beautiful music on Akulaleki from 00h00 to 03h00 Monday to Sunday. Ikwekwezi FM's listeners' request to have their favourite morning show, that launched the station Amathathakusa, return has been heeded. With effect from April, listeners can start getting live updates, interaction and entertainment on Vuka Uzithathe from 03h00 with Thulisiwe ?Nelza B'Buda and followed by a dose of Current Affairs on Ngezibhula umbethe between 05h00 and 06h00. IKwekwezi FM's Sivukile Breakfast Show will now be driven by the energetic Bongani "Bobo Da Beat" Mthomboti together with the versatile Busi ?Busaai' Mathebula and the exciting McDonald Mahlangu, Monday to Friday. Bongani "Gusheshe" Mahlangu will now host the station's popular rebranded mid-morning timeslot,Emthonjeni, between 09h00 and12h00 produced by Quincy Mahlangu, with the multi-skilled Collen "Biziwe" Masango driving the popular lunchtime show Siditjhile between 12h00and 15h00. The funny and energetic Vusi "DJ R-Voonah" Mtshweni and Joseph"Big Joe" Tsima will now host iKwekwezi FM's fast-paced afternoon drive SibuyaNawe Express Lane between 15h00 and 18h00 with Fulela Wanethwa focusing on Sport.The princess of the station Deliwe ?Zuzu' Mnguni will now host Hlala Nami between 19h00 and 21h00 Monday to Thursday, with Joyce "Jay Dee" Mahlangu ushering listeners into the weekend on Fridays. Mandla "Mindlo-Luv" Mthombeni will continue to be engaging in discussions of importance on Sizigedlile between 21h00 and 00h00 Monday to Thursday, with Nompumelelo ?DJ Mpumi' Skhosana starting the weekend with Azitjhe on Fridays between 21h00 and 00h00 while also continuing to host the station's Top 20 Hits Countdown on JikaMajika - Sigruva so! on Saturday from 09h00 to midday.
THE WEEKENDS
On Saturday and Sunday, listeners will start the day with Sizwe "Voroso" Mnguni between 03h00 and 06h00, and they should expect a traditional breakfast show like no other on Saturdays as they will be entertained by the multi-talented January "Mawaza" Kabini between 07h00 and 09h00 on Saturday, and Joyce "Jay Dee" Mahlangu on Sunday with Avulekile Amasango. Spiritual awakening will be taken to another level with Nomthandazo "Thandymamakhe" Mahlangu hosting the station's popular Sunday mid-morning slot, NginoMelusi between 09h00 and 12h00. "With the reshuffling of talent and the addition of new ones, the station is confident that investment into the future through personnel and content delivery will continue to benefit its listeners" says Mpumalanga Combo Business Manager , Nkosinathi Ntuli.
