SABC calls Ukhozi FM to order award
UKHOZI FM station bosses are embroiled in a nasty spat with their SABC captains over the inaugural SABC Summer Song Award.
Sunday World has learnt that SABC bosses have written a strongly-worded letter to Ukhozi station manager Bonga Mpanza warning him to “stop sending conflicting messages ” to listeners.
This after his station, Africa ’ s biggest with more than 7-million listeners, released its own Top 10 summer songs this week for its listeners to vote for 2015 Song of the Year.
This flies in the face of a deal the SABC signed with Michael Owen Productions in 2013 that introduced a system for listeners of all radio station to vote via SMSes for their regional SABC Summer Song Award. The regional winners will compete for the national SABC Summer Song Award and the winner will be announced at the Moses Mabhida Stadium at the stroke of midnight on December 31.
The new system cancelled the long-standing tradition that gave employees of each radio station powers to choose a song of the year for listeners.
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago confirmed that Mpanza had defied orders from the headquarters after the SABC signed an agreement with Michael Own Productions. “We noted that despite this agreement Ukhozi FM are doing their own thing and we are engaging them to be part of this agreement,” he said.
Mpanza declined an offer to comment.
Owen Ndlovu of Michael Owen Productions confirmed that they have introduced a system that will see the Summer Song being voted for by the listeners.
“We signed this agreement with the SABC in 2013 but couldn ’ t host the award then and last year due a lack of sponsorship. We have now secured sponsors and I can tell you the artist who wins the Summer Song Award will walk away with R150 000 in cash and a KIA motor vehicle.
“The lucky listener will also win a car. What is more exciting about this annual award is that the winner will be announced live on all SABC television channels and radio stations at midnight,” he said.
Ndlovu declined to comment on the dispute between Ukhozi bosses and the corporation ’ s executives over the competition.