SAfm to launch 15-minute radio soapie

SABC radio station, SAfm is set to get thousands of its listeners around the country enthralled with the introduction of its 15-minute, daily radio soapie, titled Whatyamacallit! The new radio soapie has been created by an acclaimed playwright and stage veteran Paul Slabolepszy and features Samson Kumalo, Michael Richard, Louise Saint-Claire, Quanita Adams, Graham Hopkins, Mpho Osei-Tutu, Molefi Monaisa, Doctor Khasu-Nkatlo and Huey Louw. It is directed for SAfm drama by Bruce Miller.

A community radio station has been set up in the eastern suburbs of Johannesburg. The brainchild of Doc Sibiya and Denton Farr-Douglas, the station has been set up in a small, run-down house with the assistance of local Asian businessman - shop owner, Anil Watakananda, who wants nothing from the venture other than to promote his “business interests”, advertise his merchandise and (horror-of-horrors), to feature from time to time on the station as an “artiste”.

In due course, Radio Watakananda (or Radio Whatyamacallit! - as it is very soon to be known) receives its broadcasting licence and the station thrives. There are “challenges” along the way, of course, and the fortunes of the people who work in the gritty establishment are determined by the fluctuating fortunes of Radio Whatyamacallit.

The plot

The story begins in the first few weeks of the fledgling station's existence. It's learned that Anil Watakananda has funded the enterprise, making huge sacrifices to keep it up and running. Denton Farr-Douglas (who wears two hats - station programmer as well as drama director) struggles to cope with the demands of broadcasting a palpably over-ambitious 16 hours a day. As if this were not bad enough, Doc is still precious about “killing his darlings” (his favourite bits of the text) in the new station's passionate, fiery daily soap.

Two married members of the team are not speaking to each other - in fact, they are in the throes of a messy trial separation (very difficult when they are forced to work together on a daily basis). Another member of staff is struggling with depression and is contemplating suicide.

The station covers issues of the day, music shows, food and human-interest stories, making Radio Whatyamacallit a fascinating world all of its own...