One angry chick: Metro FM DJ Penny Lebyane is apparently infuriated by programme changes. Picture by Bafana Mahlangu
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Veteran Metro FM DJ and presenter Penny Lebyane is so disgusted with the changes and new programming at the radio station that she apparently stormed out of a meeting and failed to pitch for her show.
A number of Metro FM staffers are up in arms about the changes taking place at the popular SABC station.
A source close to the situation says staffers are tense and unhappy, and many are concerned about their future careers .
Some staff members were asked to take salary cuts this week – such as presenters Melanie Bala and Chriselda Kananda, our source says.
The source says they were told if they didn’t take salary cuts their contracts would be terminated.
“We were shocked because these are the people who add value to the station,” says the source.
Another source says Lebyane was told just before her show that she would no longer host her noon to 3pm midweek show.
Instead she will host a Saturday show.
But the question on everybody’s lips concerns her co-host, Leko, who joined the station last year.
Will he be hosting the show alone or is another sidekick set to join him?
“Penny screamed before walking out, asking her bosses how they expect her to support her two kids,” says our source.
Lebyane says she took a day off on Friday, though she admits she had a meeting with the station manager.
“I’m still negotiating my contract.
“Anything can happen. People must just stop spreading rumours,” says Lebyane.
Sunday World has learnt that two producers were also told their contracts, due to end in 2011, would not be renewed.
“Two producers, one of the afternoon show and the other of Total Bliss, hosted by Azania Ndoro, were told this week they no longer had jobs.
“They should have told them earlier, perhaps in December, not at this time of the year.
“Where are they going to get jobs?” asks the source.
Apparently some DJs are livid that DJ Sbu might be joining the station.
Our source says many people are not happy and are asking what value DJ Sbu is going to add.
“We know no one was going to get a salary increase – but to cut people’s salaries so they can employ new presenters does not make sense,” says the source.
“It will be difficult for DJ Sbu to come on board because he and Fistaz, who is the acting programme manager, don’t get along,” says our source.
MetroFM publicist Gesh Conco says it is just rumours that they are employing new DJs and presenters to replace the old staff.
“Metro is not employing any new DJs. We are considering maximising the resources we already have,” says Conco.
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