
Real reasons behind Unathi leaving Star FM revealed
She hosts the drive time show with Justin Toerin which attracted a lot of advertisers according to the sources
Former Metro FM presenter Unathi Nkayi is among the big names that are set to leave Gauteng based radio station Star FM at the end of February.
The Purpose has learnt through reliable sources that the station is undergoing changes.
A new management has been put in place and they are apparently tasked to cut running costs as much as they can.
Unathi is believed to have brought the station a huge following and listenership in the year she has been there.
She hosts the drive time show with Justin Toerin which attracted a lot of advertisers according to the sources.
“Yes, they are leaving because the new management tried to make them tae salary cuts to renew their contracts.
“There is a lot of uncertainty and unhappiness at the station because some have had their hours or rates cut,” says a Purpose Magazine source.
“Unathi and Justin decided to just leave and there are others who might follow them soon.
“The thing is the new management is very stingy and wants to add more work but cut salaries,” added the source.
Sponsors may quit
He further revealed that with Unathi leaving, there is a possibility that some sponsors of the station may also quit.
“Unathi is the reason some sponsors came on board and put their money because she has the crowd pull.
“But now that she is going, we might see them also moving to other stations,” says another source.
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Star FM is among the fastest growing stations in Gauteng. But now the sources say they now doubt if that trend can continue.
“When people are doing a good job, you have to make sure they are happy and maybe incentivise them.
“But the management there is doing the opposite of that. They want people to continue working hard to grow the brn but for less,” says the source.
In one of the shows late last year, Unathi told listeners that Justin was the best co-host she had ever had.
Despite being a credible radio hostess, Unathi is also an established musician and TV presenter.
Efforts to get comments from Unathi did not yield any fruit. But the Purpose will follow the story and give updates.