Thebe Mabanga
IN YOUR EAR
Tim Modise’s PM Live (SAfm 104 to 107 fm: weekdays 4pm to 6pm) has just celebrated its first anniversary.
Modise must feel smug when he listens to talk radio. He must recall his days at Metro fm when he was host of Jungle Fever. Every Monday he would have an open line (a trend that continues today – talk about leaving a legacy), and one topic that he would try bring up was the state of continental politics.
“Let’s talk about Africa,” Modise would say. “No, Tim I am not happy about the way Chiefs played at the weekend,” an irate caller would say and then ramble on about the mundane and inconsequential.
These days, finding an expert on matters African is not difficult. Proof of this was when Kaya fm’s Tefo Mohale hosted an hour-long talk show on the “African Renaissance”. Mohale’s rigid news-reading style is like Japanese humour conveyed in subtitles – it does not translate well into facilitating a discussion.
Modise has, of course, moved on to host one of the most informative drive-time shows on radio. He has impressive command on a broad range of issues but, most importantly, he has a highly competent production team, something which cannot be said for Metro’s talk-show host, Isaac Phaahla.
Metro’s current affairs coverage has suffered since the departure of Christina Scott, who is now at SAfm and who was recently named science journalist of the year.
A viable alternative to Modise’s show is Kaya fm’s drive-time show with Lawrence Dube and Redihentse “Redi” Direko. It has an edge because of its relatively higher music content. If it is infotainment you are after, catch Lawrie and Redi at 95.9 fm from 4pm to 7pm.
5fm (98 fm) has made its line-up read like an alphabet soup. The station has recruited Mo “G” and former SABC1 continuity presenter Casey “B” Dolan among a handful of presenters (full details on www. 5fm.co.za).
These changes are the best thing to happen to 5fm in three years. In 1997, 5fm capitalised on the rise in sampling and cover versions. It played songs from artists like Puff Daddy and Bongo Maffin (Puffy’s songs sampled Sting and Diana Ross and Bongo Maffin covered an Eagles classic).
This move helped the station introduce its listeners to sounds which are popular among blacks. Recently, though, the trend has dipped slightly and the station’s sound has become bland and jaded. The shake-up should help it surpass its September 1999 peak of 1,4-million listeners.
Two interesting radio linked initiatives were launched recently. The first is the Hollard insurance/Kaya fm Lapeng breakfast club, which takes place monthly and is meant to help (mainly black) businesses in Gauteng to network (and arrange to borrow money from their counterparts at Classic fm). Enquiries can be directed to Mpho Mothapho at (011) 442-5544.
The second, far-reaching initiative is the South African Television and Radio Awards. Designed to reward individuals in management and content influence spheres within the electronic media sector, the awards are run by the newly formed Electronic Media Awards of Southern Africa. The organisers are in the process of finalising nomination criteria and judgement method. Interested parties can telephone Zuki Mohomane on (011) 807-1783.