Lesedi FM is once again in the limelight following the song of the year saga which led to listeners venting on social media asking which criteria was used to choose the crossover song.
Step Up SA News has it on good authority that station management under Mamontha Motaung, imposed unknown Thaka Tsaka by Andy T to music team as the song of the year because management believed that a Sesotho song should crossover into the new year and listeners were not having it.
This was the last song played by host Thabo Mokone who could not leave the studio unattended when his scheduled shift which started at 18h00 was supposed to end at 21h00, as a result, he had to carry on till midnight due to the alleged accident Nkunyana Nkunyana was involved in while driving to work and could not make it.
A source close to the situation told Step Up SA News Nkunyana affectionately known as Skuzabel was told by the Program Manager, Mannini Nyokong to do a double shift on Saturday to make up for his missed show only to be told at 11h55 that he must leave as there will be another presenter coming at 12h00.
Another source said his missing in action on 31 December 2021 did not sit well with management despite being in an accident and he was placed on suspension till 9 January 2022.
“The suspension letter from Mannini Nyokong said he will be suspended till the 9 January 2022 only for Mamontha Motaung to send an email to Nyokong instructing her to extend the suspension until month-end.”
Another source who spoke on condition of anonymity said this has April changes written all over it and lifted the lid on double standards.
“We knew this was going to happen and the aim is to frustrate Nkunyana and portray him as indiscipline to justify a non-renewal of his contract because thats where this will end.”
He continued, “This is rather strange considering that when Thuso Motaung was involved in an accident in June 2021 he was only taken off air for two days, for his recovery not suspension. Matshogo Mahlolo was roped in.”
A senior manager at Bloemfontein-based station said Thuso is untouchable and blamed the SABC for allowing him to run the station like his personal fiefdom.
“Thuso has Lesedi FM in the palm of his hands and everyone knows it, why is SABC is looking the other way when its Editorial policy is breached? Thuso works for Free State government and he is allowed to interview the Premier and MECs giving them(his other employer) free airtime which is against the SABC Editorial Policy.
If you listen to his show you can tell this is staged radio, those callers who complain about lack of service delivery are prepared and briefed, as soon as they are on air complaining either a mayor or MEC is called to respond.”
She concluded, “Its sad what they did to Moruti Lekota, they pulled the carpet under his feet.”
Leaked audio of the funeral of the late Lesedi FM Station Manager, Dirara Mokoena, Thuso can be heard saying he was appointed by Mamontha to speak on behalf of management, while the Program Manager was in attendance.
Gugu Ntuli, SABC spokesperson did not respond to our questions.
Lesedi FM management is going to lose big time especially on weekends because listiners of the station fans Skuzabel big time. Listiners also wants him on morning drive show together with Ba2cada and remove Thwasa… Those two are pair and make a great start of each day for everyone.
Mme Mamontha qeto tsa hae ha di fair at all. Kanti what is accident? 🙄
Leave Ntate Thuso alone please. These presenters get themselves fired and blame Ntate Thuso never. That senior manager is lying and jealous of the Motaungs
U know the employer can’t implement any conditions of employment that is below the Labour legislations, there was supposed to be hearing before the mngt can impose their decisions. So the employee must lodging the appeal against what they did to him/her n if they insist that they were correct in what they have done. The employee must dispute that n apply the available internal procedures that was agreed to before this challenge n if not known the matter should be rendered to bargaining council if it exist if not straight to ccma.
No unnecessary talks that are flying around that says so n so owns the station n they do as they wish hold no water but if believed there is something we can do to help our fellow employee let’s do it with respect n factually. The station can’t treats employees differently. There must be reasonable equity reasons why it happened. The employee concern pls give me ur contact numbers n i’ll advice u further at 0673957633.
Sabc management it full of corruption Hladi he was 100% better,
Can they please leave nkunyana nkunyana alone tht guy doing well at lesedi fm and we love him as the listeners….stop those politics!!!