By Sharon Muguwu
HARARE – Struggling Star FM, which contributed significantly to Zimpapers’ recent $1,4m loss, has been forced to rehire popular DJ Tichafa “Tich Mataz” Matambanadzo in a bid to boost the station’s ratings.
Tich, who was jointly suspended by the radio station last year along with Acie Lumumba over fraud allegations, has been brought back as a guest presenter but well-placed sources claim plans are already afoot to give the former Star FM programmes manager a more prominent position.
“Tich is a brand and the station needs big names like him who draw a huge following. They recorded losses and bringing him on board is part of the move to improve ratings as well as attracting advertisers,” said the source who requested anonymity.
Interestingly, Lumumba has also bounced back at the loss-making Zimpapers radio station with his Tuesday night show called The Acie Lumumba Interview.
The well-placed source told the Daily News that Lumumba was foisted on the station by influencial politicians.
“The station had no actual say on Lumumba’s coming back; it was a political move. Unlike Tich, who is a brand, Lumumba has political links and these influenced his return to the station.”
The bubbly Tich, who has over 20 years’ radio experience, said his return was “mutually agreed to.”
“We reached an understanding with the management and resolved that I should come back on a temporary basis. On whether I will return permanently, only time will tell as I am also busy with my own things and the station has other presenters as well. I cannot tell you who approached who. You should just take it as a case of a man and woman who broke up and got back together. What matters is the end result,” he said.
Star FM’s general manager, Darlick Marundure, defended the return of the popular broadcaster but was not prepared to say much.
“We sent out a statement and he is coming back. There is nothing peculiar about that. On the reason he was fired in the first place, those are legal matters which him and lawyers only can address,” he said.
Part of the Star FM statement read: “Renowned broadcaster Tichafa Matambanadzo popularly known as Tich Mataz returns to the airwaves on November 21 as a guest presenter. The Midas Touch will present the popular Friday Crossover (FXO) slot as a guest presenter on Star FM from 12 midday to 3pm.
“Mataz joins the popular old school duo of Otis “Da Flow” Fraser and Kelvin “Soul Supreme” Sifelani at the fastest growing station in the nation. Matambanadzo and Sifelani will continue to make guest appearances at the station until further notice.” Daily News
