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Biz-Community (Cape Town)

South Africa: New Radio North West Announces Lineup

6 March 2008

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The launch of new commercial radio station North West FM (NWFM) in March 2008 means the return to the airwaves of seasoned presenters with significant followings, courtesy of their previous experience at the legendary Radio Bop and Radio Mmabatho, as well as various commercial and public broadcasting stations around South Africa and overseas.

Leading the lineup is breakfast host Peter Manzana of Radio Mmabatho and Mostweding FM fame, while the afternoon drive slot will be filled by former Metro FM, Highveld Stereo and KayaFM jock Pat Cash.

Radio Bop stars Khaya Kool and Tom Nthane have joined the team, along with former colleagues Chris Motshabi - who will direct the sound of the station as programme manager - and Shadrack Menyatswe, appointed news editor/acting station manager. The late night show will be hosted by former Radio Mmbatho presenter Sammy Rankoana.

Success in regional market

According to Menyatswe, the station has everything it needs to become a success in the regional market. "We believe that we have an attractive on-air product, anchored by popular presenters who are well-known and respected in this region and indeed, throughout the country.

"Furthermore the station's shareholders and directors have collectively decades of experience in the business - these are people who have been involved at every single level of the South African radio business, including starting up stations, running hugely successful commercial entities, and turning around failing Greenfields stations. Their skills and experience will help to create a truly unique and professional on-air product, which in turn will attract audience and create attractive prospects for advertisers.

"We look forward to embracing the people of the North West and providing a product which reflects and improves their daily lives. And of course we hope that they will in turn embrace us."

Consortium

North West FM is owned by a consortium of groups comprising a total of more than 67% BEE shareholders and more than 40% female ownership. Among the shareholders is Direng, a private media investment company with extensive broadcast management experience, as well as Sihold, a broad-based investment company for the SA Democratic Teachers Union.

Other key shareholders include a local empowerment consortium drawn from the North West Province and predominantly owned by black women. Foreign funding and skills transfer is being provided by Norwegian-based 21st Venture Capital.

Following a lengthy application process including hearings before the broadcasting authority ICASA, North West FM was announced on 1 August 2007 as the successful applicant for the province's secondary commercial radio license. The interim period has been spent building a new state-of-the-art broadcast studio in Rustenburg, preparing the station's music database, appointing and training staff, and testing potential playlists to ensure that the right music mix is achieved, so as to appeal to as broad an audience as possible.

Target young adults

NWFM will target young adults in the North West Province, providing a mix of popular music, news, sport and entertainment news, as well as traffic updates and community news. The station will broadcast on the following fm frequencies:

• Rustenburg 89.8fm
• Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp 97fm
• Zeerust 93.5fm
• Mafikeng 91.8fm
• Reineke 97.3fm
• Taung 91.9fm

NWFM will broadcast in Setswana and English.

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