New faces to spice up Lotus line-up
PLAGUED by multiple scandals in recent years, Lotus FM is expected to undergo a programming reshuffle, and new faces will be brought in to the mix.
In a statement released by the broadcaster last week, station manager Alvin Pillay said: “We believe the new line-up has all the ingredients to keep our listeners locked on to the station.”
O’neil Nair, who previously hosted O’neil in the morning, returns to the same slot, now renamed the Breakfast Xpress, along with actress Jailoshini Naidoo, who plays Aunty Rumba.
The Afternoon Takeover team is set to be hosted by Varshan Sookhun, while Shaastra Nagesar is expected to host the Weekend Liftoff on Saturday mornings.
Two new faces are set to join Lotus FM for the Sunday Morning Masala show, including popular Hindvani radio jock, Romeo Chonco, and comedian Senzo Mthethwa.
Lotus FM was placed under the spotlight last week when former Gospel Hour and
Night Café presenter, Pauline Sangham, was suspended after screen grabs of alleged antiislamic statements surfaced on Facebook.
Last year, SABC terminated the contract of presenter Ravi Govender after he called then president Jacob Zuma a “zombie” on Facebook.
In February last year, Morning Rush presenter Neville Pillay took to Facebook to announce his resignation after falling out with the station’s management.
The station also felt the effects of former SABC chief operating officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s, controversial 90:10 policy, which forced the broadcaster to ensure that 90% of the music aired on the show was local content.
The policy has since been scrapped.
Of the presenter overhaul, Pillay added: “Lotus FM will continue to fulfil its public broadcasting mandate to entertain, inform and educate its listeners. I have no doubt that each member in the line-up will contribute to achieving our goals.”