DJ Fresh returns to breakfast radio on Kaya 959 from July 2026, while Metro FM’s Faith Mangope wins a New York Festivals award – together leading South Africa’s biggest radio shake-up of the year.
Together, these two developments cap months of major line-up changes across South African radio — notably SABC’s commercial powerhouses Metro FM and 5FM as well as Kaya 959.
Better yet, they signal a deliberate, industry-wide talent refresh that cuts across generations – blending youth-focused digital engagement with veteran expertise and hard-hitting, issue-driven journalism.
DJ Fresh takes over Kaya FM breakfast show
Broadcasting icon Thato Sikwane, known globally as DJ Fresh, will officially host the Kaya 959 weekday breakfast show from Wednesday, 1 July 2026.
He takes over the prime 6am–9am morning slot previously anchored by Sizwe Dhlomo. The move reunites him with his long-time on-air collaborator and producer, Thato Mataboge.
Another respected radio veteran Thomas Msengana holds the fort in the interim period.
The high-profile signing places DJ Fresh back in a prime morning commute slot after years away from breakfast radio. Across a career spanning more than three decades, he built his massive broadcasting profile at YFM, 5FM, and Metro FM.
”DJ Fresh is one of the most influential broadcasters South Africa has ever produced. His ability to connect with audiences is unmatched, and his arrival represents an exciting new chapter for Kaya 959,” says David Tiltmann, Acting Managing Executive at Kaya 959.
The Johannesburg-based regional radio confirmed the new breakfast show will combine music, topical discussions, humour, and lifestyle content tailored specifically for Gauteng listeners.
”This is a reunion 20 years in the making. That’s the last time Mpho Maboi, Thato and myself were on radio together, making this a full circle moment for us, ‘ the veteran broadcaster said.
“We feel like we’re coming home together and we want to make mornings on Kaya 959 essential listening. We want listeners to feel informed, inspired, entertained and connected every single day.”
Tiltmann adds: “We are investing in exceptional talent, exceptional content and exceptional audience experiences. Fresh brings all of that and more. Together with Thato Mataboge, he will create a breakfast show that is intelligent, entertaining, culturally relevant and impossible to ignore.”
Faith Mangope earns New York Festivals honour
While DJ Fresh reshapes commercial breakfast radio, Metro FM has secured international recognition for its current affairs programming.
‘Talk with Faith Mangope‘ recently took home the 2026 New York Festivals Radio Award in the highly competitive current affairs and documentary category.
The winning entry, themed ‘Holding Power to Account‘, featured rigorous interviews and public-interest reporting focused entirely on governance, accountability, and social issues.
The specific entry material drew on prime-time discussions with SA National Taxi Council spokesperson Rebecca Phala, Electricity Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa, and an in-depth investigation into land ownership across South Africa.
METRO FM Business Manager, Kina Nhlengethwa reflected on the station’s “40 years of shaping culture, conversation, and sound in South Africa”, saying this international recognition underscores the station’s enduring commitment to excellence in broadcasting.
“Talk with Faith Mangope exemplifies the calibre of journalism and public service that has defined our legacy – bold, relevant, and rooted in the lived realities of our audiences. We congratulate Faith Mangope and the entire production team on this outstanding achievement,” Nhlengethwa added.
The current affairs programme broadcasts Monday to Thursday from 7pm to 9pm. The production team behind the globally recognised entry includes producer Busisiwe Gumede, technical producer Abraham Simelane and programme manager Siyanda Fikelephi.
Commenting on this remarkable achievement, host Faith Mangope said: “Winning the award is a powerful affirmation of the responsibility we carry as broadcasters to ask the difficult questions, to listen with empathy, and to ensure that the public interest remains at the centre of every conversation.”
Metro FM line-up changes continue to shift the dial
The broader South African radio restructuring started earlier this year with several significant Metro FM line-up changes across both weekday and weekend slots.
The commercial giant signed urban media personalities Siyabonga “Scoop” Ngwekazi and Nomuzi “Moozlie” Mabena to host ‘Lift Off‘.
The new lifestyle-focused weekend show airs Fridays from 7pm to 10m and Saturdays from 6pm to 9pm. Ngwekazi previously hosted the station’s flagship awards ceremony alongside LootLove Shosha, while Moozlie brings a strong youth culture and entertainment profile to the weekend roster.
Metro FM also replaced veteran presenter Ismail Abrahams, with VOW FM alumnus Ricardo Genesis stepping into the studio.
The station retained its flagship weekday slots completely unchanged, including Best Mornings with Sabby Mtshali and Candice Coulsen, and The Touchdown with Tbo Touch and LootLove Shosha.
5FM updates programming for younger listeners
SABC sister station 5FM has also rolled out major programming shifts as part of the wider public broadcasting talent strategy.
Karabo Ntshweng now hosts 5 Mid Mornings from 9am to 12 noon, targeting young professionals and tertiary students with lifestyle and career-focused discussions.
Lula Odiba and Nadia Romanos have taken over the midday 5 Lunch show, which now includes a live in-studio music feature called 5 Listening Sessions.
The station similarly refreshed its evening and weekend schedule. Jodell Tantij now leads 5 Nights between 7m and 10pm, while DJ PH features in a recurring guest segment titled PH & Friends.
5FM also confirmed the departure of long-time contributors Roger Goode, Stephanie Be, and Leah Jazz among other changes.
According to 5FM Business Manager Masi Mdingane, the station’s current operational strategy centres on developing new on-air talent, improving real-time audience interaction, and aggressively expanding its digital footprint.
In case you missed it: See all the big winners at the 2025 Metro FM Music Awards.
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