Metro
The positions of station and programming manager at Radio Metro are up for grabs. Maria McCloy reports on the likely candidates Three of the countrys top radio personalities are tipped to be in the running for top jobs at Radio Metro, one of the SABCs biggest money-spinners.
The three Bob Mabena, Tim Modise and Romeo Khumalo are leading the pack in the race for station manager and programming manager, jobs quite far removed from the positions they currently command behind the microphones of various stations.
The station manager position, which will be vacated by Zolisile Mapipa at the end of the month, is likely to be filled by an acting station manager until the SABC finds the executive who must lead the station through the competitive waters it now swims in. Khumalos no-nonsense style and management experience has made him a contender for this post, while Modise, a veteran broadcaster who has developed a fine news sense, has also been approached to apply for the job.
The post of station manager has only been advertised internally, although Mapipa thinks Khumalo should be his successor.
Hes got business acumen, hes got experience at being a manager, hes well-respected in the advertising industry and he has the right profile and image, if the station keeps its target core audience of 16 to 24- year-olds.
If it moves to a 25 to 49-year-old target audience, the best person in my opinion would be Tim Modise.
Modise has not yet applied for the post, although he says the thing I do best is programming.
If he were to take on the position, it would be on condition that he was also on air. Modise is currently the presenter of SAfms current affairs drivetime programme, PM Live.
Mabena is rumoured to be in line for the job of programming manager, a new position currently being considered by strategic thinkers at the station.
The position is considered essential at radio stations and its establishment at Radio Metro will signal a change in the SABCs attitude towards the station. All three candidates started their careers at Radio Metro.
Mabena was one of the stations most popular DJs until he left to join 94.7 Highveld Stereo as presenter and assistant station manager under the ownership of Primedia. He still has a high profile among the youth as a presenter of SABC1s music show Studio Mix, and as a recording artist.
Mabena said he could not comment on rumours, but added he may have something to say pretty soon if all goes well.
Khumalo, like Mabena, was reluctant to comment as he is still employed as advertising and promotions manager for SABC1, 2 and 3 for Cape Town and Durban.
“I’m sure there are many people wholl be applying, he said, adding that hed make up his mind at the end of week.”
“I’d love the job, I’d love to turn the station around.”