Major shake-up at P4

P4 International withdrew their financial backing when the radio station could not meet projected targets. The Norwegian company says it will be returning to its core Scandinavian market and has withdrawn all South African investments.

Majority shareholders The Makana Trust have been dealt a heavy blow. Makana Group director and the station's acting manager Svein Larsen says that the company has decided to restructure and streamline its operations. As part of this "re-engineering process" all freelance contracts have been terminated and several of the Cape Town and Durban staff members have received retrenchment letters. "Although the freelance DJs will no longer be on air," said Larsen, "the popularity of the station will not affect our listenership. We have to reduce costs and these changes were necessary."

Among those retrenched are freelance DJs Ricky Singh, Sindy Mape, Neville Pillay and Brian Thabethe, while Clarence Ford and Dmitri Jagels will be retained until further notice. Larsen emphasised that the retrenchments are a result of financial loss and bear no reflection on the professional performances of affected staff members.