No Warras... he's got another job

Formerly a drive-time show host on YFM, Warrick "DJ Warras" Stock is set to be the new host of the 7-9pm slot on 5FM, replacing Roger Goode, who will be moved to another slot.

This is according to an SABC insider, who told Sunday World that YFM's dismissal of DJ Warras last week was because station management had caught wind that he was joining 5FM.

"Warras was fired because he has already signed with 5.

"YFM is very bitter because they had earmarked Warras to do their breakfast show from April," the source said.

"That is why he wasn't on the press release that included the other Y DJs who were leaving, such as Bonang, Sizwe and Scoop."

Sunday World reported last week that Warras was disappointed at how the YFM management kicked him off the station without any warning or a chance to do one more "goodbye" show.

"I'm not impressed with Kanthan [Pillay, YFM's chief executive] kicking me out and then calling me a cry-baby when I have worked at YFM for six years.

'Be more humble'

"Four of your biggest headliners - me, Bonang, Sizwe and Scoop - are all leaving the station in one year. He needs to be more humble and focus on picking up the pieces," said Warras.

He confirmed that he had approached 5FM for a job last year, but had not yet received a contract.

Warras has a presenting gig on SABC1's Friday night music show Live Amp

According to our insider, there is pressure on him to work on SABC radio.

"Remember what Hlaudi [Motsoeneng, SABC's chief operations officer] said about containing all the talent within the SABC? This is his strategy taking shape," the senior manager said.

SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said he was not allowed to confirm whether Warras had made the 5FM DJ line-up or not.

"Announcements for DJ slots only take place once the DJs have signed on the dotted line, and once both the station and the DJ have agreed to certain terms and conditions.

"Some of these appointments are left to the last minute because some negotiations are a bit more complicated than others," he said.

DJ Voster also gets the chop

YFM DJ Tumi Voster has become the second presenter from the Gauteng youth station to be booted out after she declined to sign a new contract.

"Just like Warras, one minute I was in a meeting with YFM management, and the next thing I was told to pack my bags and go," she said.

But Voster has no beef with the station because she is moving on to greener pastures.

"For contractual reasons, I cannot disclose where I'm going. But I can say that I'm moving to a bigger radio platform and cannot contain my excitement," said Voster.

She said YFM wanted to give her an opportunity to host her own show, something that had never happened in her three years at the station.

"I wasn't interested in their offer because I feel spending three years at one place is too long.

"I feel I have enough experience to move on to bigger things."

Voster, from Katlehong in Ekurhuleni, said she wasn't angry that they did not give her a chance to say goodbye to her listeners.

"I understand that this is a crazy period in the radio industry because of all the movements. I'm just surprised at how they handled this matter.

"But I respect their decision," said the former YoTV presenter.

Source: Sunday World, via I-Net Bridge