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SA mogul celebrates new digital revamp

Johannesburg - Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi must be turning in his grave now that his 1894 invention of radio transmission on Hertzian waves has been turned upside down by local celebrity and former Metro FM deejay Tbo Touch.

On Tuesday night, Touch unveiled the “future of radio” and “the thing that will save radio” at a glittering launch party at The Shed at Steyn City in Johannesburg.

Guests included fashion designer David Tlale and businesswoman Lucille Gumbi.

Born Thabo Molefe, the man of many talents described his new business venture through cellphone app streaming as being ground-breaking and meant to change our old, familiar ways of tuning into radio via stereo systems in our cars, home audio systems and even the latest home audio technology.

“We are the Uber of radio at Touch HD and this is just the beginning,” said Touch.

To prove that he was bringing salvation to the radio industry, Touch arrived at the venue in an Audi R8, dressed in an Iron Man suit.

He announced the relaunch of his online station by changing its name from Touch Central to Touch HD, saying the revamp cost R28 million and that United Stations would handle all the sales business for Touch HD.

The radio mogul said he intended exploring and being creative “to bring edutainment to the people”.

To kickstart his venture to revolutionise online radio, Touch has roped in MTN, whose subscribers can access Touch HD streaming for free. He is also targeting other networks to get on board soon.

Touch admitted to poaching the best talent from Metro FM and vowed to continue doing so until the station gave him one last farewell show.

He said that when he left Metro FM, it asked him to go, but he had planned on doing one last show to thank his fans.

His popular show, The Touchdown, will air on Touch HD from 3pm to 5pm, from Mondays to Fridays.

He will work alongside radio greats such as Katlicious, Glen Lewis (who will host The Expensive Breakfast morning show with Nina Hastie), Tim Modise, Thembisa Mdoda and former YoTV presenter Rorisang Thandekiso.

“I am very happy to be going back to radio after eight years away. I am so grateful that Touch saw something in me,” said Mdoda.


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