By Bronwyn M Singh
Popular radio station, Imvula FM, has ended contracts with eight of its radio personalities after just three months on air.
The radio station, which is based in Harding Street, Newcastle, boasted an array of DJs, including the very talented Niyoshi Pillay, who began a segment on her show called ‘High Flyers with Niyo’ where she interviewed high-profile people in the town. All of the station’s shows became popular with residents within a short period of time.
In a statement issued by Imvula FM Manager, Syanda Nzimande, presenters and news readers were not fired, but rather had reached the end of their three-month contract. “The eight radio personalities have not produced as expected and also did not meet the requirements of Imvula FM, hence that is why after the three-month period was completed, their contracts were not renewed,” said Nzimande.
According to sources, a few on-air personalities allegedly did not receive a salary for the months of May and June. One of the on-air personalities spoke to the Newcastle Express, but declined to be named. She said that she was hired and was very excited at his new prospect. She then began her work in April and said that everything was fine and going ahead as planned. However in May, she then received a suspension letter via WhatsApp.
“The letter was not dated, nor did it have a letterhead. It just stated that it was directly from the station manager and that I would no longer be on air but should continue with my other work duties. I was not even sure what those duties were because I was assisting in so many other departments of the station,” she said.
She then continued with assisting and carried on about her duties. “I was also told that I should not worry about the letter as I would still be getting paid. To me, the letter did not look professional; it looked as though anyone could have written it. Come the end of May and into the first week of June, I had still not gotten any pay. I then requested a meeting with the station manager and the chairman of the station, unfortunately the chairman did not attend. I was then verbally fired,” alleged the radio personality.
She further explained that she was asked by the station manager, what were the other tasks that she had performed at the station and that since then she has not been paid. “This is so unfair. I had to then move back home from Newcastle just to find another job. People’s dreams have been shattered. That is not fair,” she said.
Another personality who has been on radio for more than five years, Niyoshi Pillay, has come forward with her story and spoke to the Newcastle Express about her shock and disappointment after being fired. “I am taking a stand now, not just for myself but also for my colleagues who have gotten the short end of the stick. They have left their families, all for their passion of radio. I think that the downfall here was the owner not having enough knowledge of the radio industry,” said Pillay.
She recounted a day when she arrived late for a meeting, due to her day job, and when got there she sensed that her colleagues were very tense. “I then learned that the owner of the radio station held the meeting and we were informed that it had been three months since the station aired and he has been paying out of his own pocket and has not seen any returns. I was also informed that my contract would end,” said Pillay who, to date, has also not received her salary.
According to a source, a labour court lawsuit has allegedly been filed by the fired personalities against the radio station.
