SABC makes changes at Thobela FM and Phalafala FM as new presenters are brought in and programming tweaked

By Edward Tsumele

The Public broadcaster the SABC has announced changes at two of the country’s African language radio stations, Phalafala FM and Thobela FM, both based in Limpopo Province, and which broadcast in Tshivenda and Sepedi, respectively. Both languages, alongside Xitsonga are spoken widely in the province.

“Phalaphala FM is excited to introduce some line-up changes effective 1 April 2022. These changes are in line with the SABC radio’s strategy. The station reached a milestone of 1.3 million listeners in 2021 as per the October 2021 RAMS release and believes that this new line-up will further build and enhance the station’s growing listenership.

Phalaphala FM is delighted to bring back co-hosting on its breakfast show, ‘Vhandilani’, which will now start at 06h00 until 09h00. The show will be co-hosted by Terry “The Big Dude” Mudau, and a surprise presenter who will be revealed in due course.

Rofhiwa Nethengwe, who joined the station in 2006, will continue to host her 09h00-12h00 show, Nne na Vhone. The discerning programme appeals to a wide audience in a professional setting, in-transit or at home.

Mpho “MG” Rathando will maintain his 12h00 to 15h00 programme, ‘Tshiko’, which broadcasts from Monday to Friday and focuses on news, current affairs and topical issues in politics, economics, labour, education and social issues in South Africa and around the world. Whilst on Fridays, Pandelani ‘Miss P’ Mulaudzi will continue presenting her 14h30 – 15h00 kiddies show ‘Dendzhe’.

The afternoon drive show,  Dzia Orowa, from 15h00 to 18h00 will continue being co-presented by Shandu “DJ Shhh” Lukhwareni and Tico Liphadzi on Monday to Friday,” said the SABC in a statement.

Jones ‘Mr Lover Lover’ Netshipise will be brought to the 22h00 – 24h00 music show, ‘Ri a dzedza’, on Mondays to Thursdays to bring listeners some of the best and greatest urban hits. Rofhiwa Nekhumbe G Voice takes over‘Mulakhulu’on weekdays between 03h00 – 05h00. Meanwhile on weekends, he will also continue with his 06h00 – 09h00 Saturday breakfast show, ‘Vhandilani nga mugivhela’.

The dynamic Mpande Mulaudzi popularly known as “Miss P” will take over Phenyadzinwe, at 21h00 – 24h00 on Fridays, while Dikita, will host the Top 20 Local Kwaito and House Hits, and Hip-Hop and R&B tunes. On Saturdays, Humbulani Nengovhela will be joining the 09h00 – 11h00 show, Nambi Ya dzinambi, a music programme that focuses on Tshivenda traditional music.

The station said that a new presenter Sammy Khwashaba is joining the station and will be hosting the 12h00–14h00  Reggae Music Show  on Saturdays.

Veteran radio presenter Mpho Nefale will continue to host the 18h00 – 21h00 show,  Devhula Ha Vhembe (DV) Thereafter, Mpande Mulaudzi “Miss P” will take listeners on a musical journey of profiling the latest house, Venrap and hip – hop hits on the programme Dikita from 21h00 – 24h00. This show will bring listeners the best in entertainment news and listener call-ins.

Michael {Holy Mike’ Mabugana will remain at Phalaphala FM and will host the 07h00 – 10h00 gospel shows,  Gondo Vhugala, on Sundays.

Jones “Mr Lover Lover” Netshipise will also host the 10h00 – 14h00 show, Vhugalatenga, on Sundays. Meanwhile Tshimangadzo Murovhi will be presenting the 19h00 – 20h00 show, Lutendo, as well as the 20h00 – 21h00 show, Vhurereli ha Hashu on Sundays.

Phalaphala FM business manager Madikana Matjila said that “we are excited to see this station making this huge traction in the way we serve our audience and believe that these changes will help us grow this brand to reach greater heights”.

 Changes  to the line-up  were also effected at Thobela FM.

In these new changesthe Morning drive show, Ditlalemeso will now be broadcast for three hours from 06h00 – 09h00 between Monday and Friday. Lenny T Legodi and Poelano “Madam Speaker” Setoaba will continue hosting the show, with Aubrey Pheeha joining the team on production.

“Pheeha has been producing the station’s lifestyle show ‘E ba Lenna. Pheeha and brings in a wealth of experience and expertise to the team having produced the station’s various shows over the past eight (8) years.

E ba le nna, a show introduced for the first-time last year – airing from Monday to Friday between 13h00 – 15h00, will continue with its focus on continental issues, service delivery, economic matters, the empowerment of men and women, and labourers in the formal and informal sectors. The show will still be hosted by the well vested Nkgadimeng Kekana with a new producer, Lorraine Mahlo. 

Thobela FM has increased the night talk show, Moremogolo’ running hours from 22h00 – 01h00 for four days in a week due to listener’s demand. Happiness Maake continues to host the show unpacking all the uncomfortable conversations that build the societal moral compass.

The station is bringing the vibrant, elegant and bubbly Lethabo “Lejoy” Mathatho to host the stations hybrid radio meets TV show ‘the weekend breakfast’. This show will be produced by the award-winning producer Isaac Mashila. The show will feature on Thobela FM’s digital platforms.

Kgabo “The C-Lecta boy” Mokgonyana will now host Thobela FM’s ‘Top 30’ charts show on Saturday’s. Mokgonyana has been hosting ‘Party Time’ and producing the ‘Ditlameso’ breakfast show.

Skhumbuzo “The immaculate” Mbatha will now mesmerise the audience on Sunday’s on ‘Melodii Ya Boiketlo’ playing all the soulful sound,” added the station..

“I am excited that the station will now maximise its reach to offer audio-visual content on our different digital platforms in a form hybrid shows. These changes will also connect us better with our listeners and position the station as the epicentre for knowledge and entertainment” commented Madikana Matjila, Thobela FM’s Business Manager.

The public can tune into Thobela FM on 87.6 MHZ – 92.1 MHZ and Channel 621 on Openview.