Following the sacking of one of Lesidi FM’s seasoned presenters Seipati Twasa Seoke, rumours have it that the station is on a drive to shake things up and breathe life into the current status quo.
In a move that shocked many radio lovers across the country, Lesedi FM has taken an unpopular decision to axe Seoke after 19 years of service by not renewing her contract.
The decision by the station sent shocking waves across the country, with radio listeners and fans blasting the station for its decision. The seasoned radio broadcaster co-presented Monate Breakfast Show with Khotso Lepeli and Tsholo Leokaoke.
Seoke took to social media to announce her departure from Lesedi FM, much to the shock of her followers.
She said news circulating of her sacking was true. “I am leaving because my contract was not renewed and no reason was provided. I have no issues with that.”
Those in management who spoke on condition of anonymity said the station was in desperate need of fresh air and part of the decision to not renew the seasoned presenter’s contract was influenced by that. ‘’It’s never an easy decision to let anyone go, moreover of such an experience but the decision could not be avoided hence the consensus on the matter,” a source in management said.
Others on the firing line include Seoke’s co-host on the morning drive, KG Live, a former Motheo FM presenter.
While Seoke’s firing has come as a shock, the same cannot be said of KG Live who never really found his footing at the station.
KG Live was also reportedly at times off the mark compared to the solid-state legendary Dr. Chomane Chomane left it in.
The question around how Nestum Nyakale previously managed to escape the axe is something of the past now as she also joins the pair.
Nyakale, a former group member of kwaito group Aba-Shante, never really brought much to the station but amazingly managed to stay long. Her sacking will surely not be a loss to either fans or the station, some fans say.
For Seoke, whose career began at Qwa-Qwa Radio, it is a whole different story as she earned her mark in the industry from the day she joined the station back in 2000.
Despite Twasa’s admission of her sacking, station manager Dirara Mokoena refused to comment on the matter referring any inquiry to Lesedi FM’s national office.
Responding to an email sent by The Weekly on Tuesday following her post on Facebook, SABC’s Vuyo Mthembu said she will only comment after Lesedi FM releases its final line-up, which is set to be out this week.
While official changes are yet to be announced, another Lesedi FM personality, Nyakallo ‘Ba2cada’ Leine, took to social media to announce that he’ll be going back to the Saturday slot, moving from Afternoon Drive.
Leine wrote, “I don’t want you guys to start hearing rumours about things some people know nothing about. Ba2cada will be back Saturday mornings 9 to 12 on radio starting 6 April…Yes, you heard it from me.”
This now means the talented Thabo Mokone will evacuate the Saturday’s slot, with speculation rife that he might just be the guy to occupy the much sought after slot – Afternoon Drive.
It goes without saying that the former Thetha FM presenter cemented his spot as one of most promising radio presenters in the country.
The entire Lesedi FM family now waits with bated breath the release of the new line-up which is guaranteed to leave jaws on the floor if the current rumours are anything to go by.
