BONANG Matheba has scored one of the biggest deals in her career.
[full]Bonang Matheba has bagged the mid-morning show on the country’s biggest commercial radio station, MetroFM.
The news comes soon after Queen B announced her departure from youth radio station YFM.
As expected, the new brand ambassador for BIC Flexi-Lady razors denied any knowledge of the developments.
“No one has spoken to me about opportunities at MetroFM. The only meeting I know that I am going to have with the SABC next Wednesday is about my work on SABC3,” she said.
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said MetroFM’s new lineup had not yet been finalised.
“There are many things that get considered before a lineup can be finalised,” he said.
“Many people have been spoken to, but that does not mean anything is confirmed at this stage.
“That Bonang is joining MetroFM remains a rumour.”
A top SABC executive, who spoke on condition anonymity, told Sunday World that Matheba will replace Siphokazi January, the host of the 9am-noonFull Circle show, from April 1.
MetroFM chose Matheba’s brand power to remedy the ratings lost since Azania Mosaka left for PowerFM, the insider said.
“It appears that we’ve lost audiences since Azania left. There is a feeling that she took her listeners with when she went to Power.
“We needed someone with the presence and reputation like Bonang to go to war in that precious slot.
“You must remember that the nine to 12 slot has evolved from just a housewife’s show in which cooking and knitting tips are given.
“It is now a prime spot for an upwardly mobile female and a modern or metrosexual man magazine format.
“We needed someone who is relevant and knows what the latest trends with South Africa’s hip and happening are.
“Bonang is that type of person. She does not only know more about the audience in that range, but is a living example of that type of listener. the go-getter, the achiever and a modern city girl,” explained the executive.
January, a former SABC continuity presenter who has been holding the fort since Mosaka’s departure, will be moved to the midday show, The Secret Ingredient.
Meanwhile, PowerFM presenter and communications consultant Chris Vick has left the station.
Vick, the former spokesman of human settlements minister Tokyo Sexwale, was in charge of Power Hour between 6pm and 7pm on weekdays.
“We are very sad to see Chris go. He has really redefined the treatment of current affairs and news in the short time that he has been with us.
“But he has explained that he needs more time to focus on his business, and we must respect that,” said Given Mkhari, the station’s chairman.
Vick said: “Power is an amazing place to work at, but to do justice to the station’s wonderful listeners is taking up more time than was expected when I took on the role.
“I’m proud to have been part of the start-up team, and appreciate the opportunity I was given.”[/full]