Is Ligwalagwala FM on the ‘brink of collapse’?

Avid listeners of the popular SABC radio station, Ligwalagwala FM, believe it is on the brink of collapse following looming retrenchments. The embattled SABC said it is in the process of restructuring and transitioning its organisational structure. This, along the way, is going to affect more than 300 jobs; these are going to be lost. “It must be noted that following an extensive consultation process with various stakeholders, this process has been concluded and is currently being implemented,” SABC acting spokesperson, Mmoni Seapolelo said.

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“At this stage, affected employees are applying for available vacancies as identified in the new organisational structure, interviews have started and offers for successful candidates are being finalised. In addition, several early retirements have been accepted,” Seapolelo said. This has prompted the Mpumalanga non-profit organisation calling itself #SaveLigwalagwalaFM to launch a campaign that voices its concerns about the ongoing retrenchment processes for senior employees of the radio station.  

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“We are calling on all Mpumalanga citizens and listeners of Ligwalagwala FM to support a call to defend Ligwalagwala FM and its workers,” the organisation said. The memorandum calls for Ligwalagwala FM to have its own manager and to hire back all deserving and qualified former DJs and employees. Mdluli and Mashego said, “Our main worry is that the station might lose key management staff members owing to the below reasons. The station cannot afford to lose the current station manager, Rio Mabunda, who knows the station inside out like the back of his hand.

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“The station manager’s position has been phased out in the new SABC structure, which means the current station manager might not be part of the station in the next fiscal year. These two positions that Mabunda qualifies for have been downgraded, thus he might not consider applying for a low-scale code post. If this happens, it means that the station will lose direction and leadership, and as a result its performance will be affected across the spectrum,” alluded Mdluli.

“It is also heart breaking to learn that one of the key senior producers, Bheki ‘Bk’ Sehlabela has taken his package owing to the downgrading of the position that will come with a salary freeze for three years and too much workload. This person has been very instrumental in the development of the station strategy, working closely with the station manager, and has also been instrumental in the crafting and development of programming strategy with the programmes manager,” Mashego claimed.