LIMPOPO – This was announced by SABC’s Chief Operating Officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng at 2Ten Hotel in Sibasa near Thohoyandou on Wednesday.
Motsoeneng said the Thohoyandou station has a bigger building which was formerly used by Radio Thohoyandou. He said the move is to ensure that local stations empower its people by broadcasting near the communities they serves.
Motsoeneng recently announced that all SABC radio stations must play 90% locally produced music.
“We appeal to the Vhavenda people to produce dramas and soapies in Tshivenda to broadcast on local radio stations,” said Motsoeneng.
Freddy Sadiki, PhalaPhala FM Station Manager said they welcome the changes made and hope this will enable the station to reach greater heights. According to Sadiki, the station recently celebrated 51 years in the business.
They started broadcasting in 1965 as Radio Venda, known as Tshititshi tsha khwine, and in 1998 it merged with the former Radio Thohoyandou to create PhalaPhala FM.
“As a radio station, we are proud to have organised traditional dance competitions in our communities.”
“We are also responsible for the Annual Tshivenda Music Awards (TSHIMA),” said Sadiki.
He said it has been 18 years since the station’s re-branding and there is no better way to celebrate than to get a face-lift, in this case, moving to the bigger station in Thohoyandou.
King of the Vhavenda, Khosikhulu Toni Mphephu Ramabulana praised the management of SABC for their plan to relocate the station and indicated that this move will be beneficial to the community of the Venda speaking people.
