Zondi says au revoir to YFM

Vukile Zondi

Zondi joins 5FM on 2 February. According to YFM, an announcement regarding his replacement will be made the end of January.

After matriculating at Westville Boys High in Durban, Zondi went on to graduate with a BCom (Law) degree at UJ (majoring in Private Law and Economics). The radio bug bit him early while still at varsity, where he acted as legal and programme manager for campus radio station UJFM. He joined Gauteng youth radio station YFM as programming coordinator at the end of 2007, where he was promoted to programming manager at the beginning of 2008.

Given the task of bringing the struggling station back to its core market after it experienced turbulent times both in terms of internal politics and declining audience figures, Zondi was the driving force behind the much-anticipated 2008/9 programming lineup that saw a lot of the old voices not returning to the station.

"It's with a weird feeling that I announce my resignation from YFM,” said Zondi. “Weird in that I'm sad that I won't be part of the imminent maturation phase of the growth that we have been experiencing in the station over the past year or so. However, I am equally excited by the mammoth challenge that lies ahead. YFM is the only reason that I am confidently able to face the national radio world with excitement instead of fear.”

"Proud product"

"This place is a melting pot of talent and I know that the biggest contributors to the South African entertainment and media industry will continue to be bred at YFM. I am a proud product of YFM and I will never forget my time I spent here.

As for 5FM, Zondi said he is very honoured and excited to be joining. “5FM is a national powerhouse and I really look forward to being part of this highly successful brand and the strong staff driving it. If someone asks me what my dream job is, I will be proud and confident to tell them ‘I'm doing it!'”

Commented Kanthan Pillay, YFM CEO, “I have always said that we are the training and developing factory for the industry - we produce the best and the others follow. As such, I expected Vukile to move on to other things at some point, but had not expected it to be so soon!

“I am sad to be losing him so soon - I believe he still had much to learn from us - but a young man must follow his heart, and he goes with our blessings."

Helen Graham, 5FM station manager, said, “We are very pleased to welcome Vukile to the 5FM team, and are confident that his programming experience, vast knowledge on contemporary music trends and enthusiasm will assist 5FM to sustain its positive audience growth of the past year.”

The 5FM management team now consists of Graham as station manager, Justine (Cottrell) Cullinan) as marketing manager, Cornia Smargiasso as interactive business development manager, Misha Dhupelia as sales manager and Zondi as programme manager.

Updated 14 January 2009