SABC radio announces strategic appointments

Commenting on the new appointments, Pearl Luthuli, group executive for Public Commercial Broadcasting Services SABC, says: "The media landscape is evolving at an ever-increasing pace, coupled with the fact that we as a public broadcaster have certain responsibilities our competitors do not. With that in mind I believe that now the division has all the people we need to take SABC commercial radio to a more nimble and exciting future."

Bob Mabena has taken over the general management of the three commercial radio stations in the portfolio - Metro FM, 5FM and Cape Town's Good Hope FM - in addition to his current role of executive manager of public commercial services. Mabena has been in charge of strategy for the radio division since joining the SABC in April 2005, bringing with him more than 20 years' experience in the broadcasting industry.

New position

5FM programme manager Nick Grubb has been appointed programme strategist for the radio portfolio reporting in to Mabena's office. A newly created position, Grubb will be responsible for developing and implementing programming strategy on the three commercial stations, with particular focus on new media and DJ training.

Replacing Grubb as 5FM programme manager is Carlito Shaik, who joins the hit radio station from Lotus FM at the beginning of October and will be responsible for managing the station's current programming strategy.

The last appointment in the portfolio is that of Anthony Duke as station manager of Good Hope FM. Having lived and worked in Cape Town, as well being the former station manager of 5FM, Duke is one of the country's leading radio authorities and will be looking for growth in the Cape Town market.

Wealth of experience

Says Mabena, "I am excited by the challenges ahead of us - all three radio stations have in this quarter delivered impressively on local content and revenues, and now that we have a full staff compliment at Commercial Radio, we will be looking for new growth in what is a very competitive landscape. Anthony, Nick and Carlito bring a wealth of experience to their portfolios"

Commenting on the appointment of Shaik to her management team, 5FM station manager Helen Graham says: "We look forward to Carlito bringing his programming experience to 5FM and to him continuing to develop the programming strategy we have been implementing since 2002."