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Cape Town - After more than 30 years with 702, John Robbie has announced he will be retiring from the talk station at the end of 2016.
John’s retirement has created an opportunity to restructure the 702 line-up.
The new line-up:
From 9 January 2017, current afternoon drive host, Xolani Gwala will be taking over the breakfast slot from 06:00 to 09:00.
Redi Tlhabi, who has been with 702 in the mid-morning slot for 10 years, will take over afternoon drive from 15:00 to 18:00.
Her current show, which is 09:00 to 12:00, will be permanently hosted by Eusebius McKaiser.
“Xolani has extensive experience on a breakfast show from before he re-joined 702, some four years ago. He’s an excellent broadcaster who we are proud to have on our station and as our new breakfast host,” 702 station manager, Thabisile Mbete said.
Xolani is looking forward to this new challenge. “I have an immense respect for John and what he has done for 702 and South African radio in general. I know that taking over from him will be a great challenge, but I’m humbled by it and looking forward to it.”
Redi will take her tough but fair approach to afternoon drive and is thrilled to be taking over a new show: “The afternoon drive is perfectly placed to reflect the news of the day, capture breaking news as it unfolds and provide a platform for debate and reflection. I am looking forward to the show’s fast pace and unpredictability. I feel like I am going back to my newsroom roots with the added advantage of interacting with listeners.”
She also wanted to pay tribute to John: “John Robbie has been a prolific broadcaster, always the consummate professional, ready to praise and teach others. I will miss him and his bad jokes!”
Eusebius said he is ecstatic to be hosting his own show: “Our country and world cry out for debate, creating meaning, being silly, laughing together, disagreeing deeply, emoting openly, and all the while building community. It's an enviable joy to have the privilege of being in conversation with our listeners daily in my favourite slot on the radio clock."
One more change at the radio station:
One other change was announced: Veteran journalist Karima Brown will be hosting Talk @ Nine on Sundays. Karima was the Friday Stand-In for Redi Tlhabi earlier this year, and took to the radio medium with positive response from the audiences. She will be hosting a current affairs show that discusses and analyses the stories and issues that come out of the Sunday newspapers.
Karima’s appointment and the new show format will come into effect from 20 November 2016.
The changes to breakfast and afternoon drive as well as 09:00 to midday will take effect in the new year, from 9 January 2017.
