Eager fans can’t wait for Rhythm FM
A SOCIAL media outcry is gathering steam as delays in launching commercial radio station Rhythm FM drag on.
Social media has buzzed with anticipation as future listeners inquire with growing impatience about the new station, a division of MSG Africa Group, which first received its radio licence back in 2014.
In July last year, station manager and shareholder Putco Mafani told the Daily Dispatch they were busy with preparations and that the station would be in full swing within two months.
However, he sang the same tune with different words in December when he promised the station would be up and running by March.
And yesterday he told Dispatch it was more likely to be the beginning of April.
The former Umhlobo Wenene FM breakfast show presenter, who left the SABC station last year for Rhythm FM, said it was a lot of work starting a radio station from scratch and he aimed to take the time necessary to iron out all the creases before going on air to avoid technical glitches and closures after the official opening.
Yesterday Mafani said the station was waiting for some transmitters to be installed and for the availability of radio talent they had their eye on.
“Everything is ready, we have procured office equipment and computers and are merely waiting on some of the talent we have been eyeing to join the station. They will be available from March 31.
“While there seem to be delays, once we are up and running it will be worth the wait because Rhythm FM is a revolution in radio. We know what we are doing,” he said.
When asked to comment about the social media pressure, Mafani said he had learnt not to respond to everything people had to say.
“We are bound to get some sad reactions from our competition from which we’ll be extracting some of our radio personalities,” he said.
Mafani said they had already switched on some of their four transmitters distributed throughout the province and these had been loaded with music to assess the quality of sound in Butterworth, Mthatha and surrounding areas on the 95.2 FM frequency. —