UKHOZI FM has announced new changes.
In a statement, SABC spokeswoman Gugu Ntuli said: “The station reached a milestone of eight million listeners in 2021 as per the October RAMS (Radio Audience Measurement Survey) release and believes that this new lineup will comfortably catapult the station to the next level.
“The station had initially aimed to reach eight million by 2023, but this came earlier than anticipated due to its popular personalities, strong campaigns both on and off air.”
According to the statement, the Breakfast Show has gained an additional 30 minutes.
This means the Breakfast Show will broadcast from 6am to 9am from Monday to Friday.
Sipho “DJ Sgqemeza” Mbatha and Nonhlanhla “Mroza” Buthelezi will continue to host the morning show.
They will be joined by Mhlonishwa Sibisi, who will be responsible for sport content.
Dudu “Lady D” Khoza, the Queen of the Airwaves, maintains her 9am to 12pm slot where she will continue to bring audiences what they have come to love for the past 27 years.
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The 12:30pm to 3pm slot welcomes Sfiso “King Sfiso” Sibiya as well as Zimiphi “Zim-Dollar” Biyela.
Khathide “Tshatha” Ngobe rejoins Selby “Selbeyonce” Mkhize in the afternoon drive between 3pm and 6pm.
New talent Bingelela Mpanza, who won the Winnie Mahlangu Female Presenter Search in 2021, will be taking over the developmental slot on Sundays between 3am and 6am, which was specifically designed for winner of this competition.
Bheka “Beekay” Mchunu is going back to the popular Saturday maskandi show, Sigiya Ngengoma, between 9am and 12pm. Whereas Sbu Buthelezi will continue to host the Sunday Gospel Show in the same time slot.
Sya Mhlongo has been removed from radio. He will now be doing Ukhozi’s first ever vodcast on Mondays and Fridays. The vodcast will be called Ukhozi FM TV.
According to Ntuli, the digital migration as well as audience patterns of consuming video on demand contributed immensely to the station’s decision to launch a vodcast.
“A large portion of the station’s audience consume digital platforms daily and with the station’s 360-degree approach to targeting its audiences, launching a vodcast was a natural move for the station,” said Ntuli.
Ukhozi FM business manager Sbongi Ngcobo commented on the new changes and said: “Ukhozi FM continues to dominate and be a leader in the radio space. A combination of innovative campaigns, relevant and nation building topics and features as well as the station’s popular presenters, ensure that the station attracts and retains the large audience that it commands while satisfying client needs. We look forward to another exciting year that will further display why Ukhozi FM Luhamba Phambili.”
The changes will take effect on 1 April.
