When they were introduced to the public many wrote them out, arguing they would never make it, but the Ligwalagwala FM’s presenters have passed the test.
After a month on air, these determined radio personalities haven’t disappointed at all and the station’s manager, Rio Mabunda will certainly have the last laugh, having taken a gamble of hiring them with no radio experience.
“It’s been awesome, considering that I was a radio virgin. The response from listeners has been enormous and this has fuelled me to do better and grow.
“I have developed great confidence and believe I am doing what is expected of me,” says the Akulalwa presenter, Charmaine Banda. She says being a public speaker has helped her perform her radio tasks with much ease and she hopes the best is yet to come.
“I learn each day and from each show and I believe I will soon make a mark that will change the station’s listeners.”
Her show offers entertainment and hard-hitting topics such as politics and social-developmental issues every Saturday from 00:00 to 03:00.
The other new recruit, the former SABC 1 Ses’khona presenter, Mpumi Mbethe who co-hosts the Asambe Afternoon Drive Show with the award-winning presenter, DJ Shabbisto hasn’t disappointed either.
Working with Shabba has definitely boosted her confidence and she certainly has a bright future in this industry.
Another presenter who is worth every penny, Simphiwe Hlabangane who used to be featured on Lungile Mhango’s magazine show as a beauty therapist, is gradually changing the Sunday spot into an interesting destination.
Her presence on Sunday mornings certainly takes away the Saturday’s babalazi. Making a return to the station is marketing manager, Mfundo Ntsibande who led the rebranding campaign in 2008 when he was marketing manager.
In his tenure Ligwalagwal FM broke into the country’s top-10 favourite radio stations for the first time. The birthday celebration of 2008 which he headed was voted the country’s biggest one-day event of 2008. His reappointment signals great things for the station.