TENDAI BHEBE
Midlands Province’s hottest radio station, 98.4 Midlands FM, is celebrating its fifth anniversary, having hit the airwaves on July 14,2017.
98.4 Midlands FM, which is a unit of diversified media group, AB Communications, which also operates ZiFM Stereo, Business Times, Hevoi FM in Masvingo, Truck Ads and Mighty Movies, broadcasts in english, shona and ndebele languages to cater for the cosmopolitan audience in the city of Gweru and the larger part of the Midlands province.
The station is known for promoting local artists especially those from Midlands Province such as Skiddo Chikandamina, Samukoko, Nyasha David, Defeater King and Oxygen, among other artists.
The station also airs regional and international hit songs.
98.4 Midlands FM has an array of interesting shows including the The Wake Up Call hosted by the hyperenergetic Kim Sibanda and Reason Sekeremo. The duo has been a favourite with listeners in the Midlands Province. They always come up with entertaining skits, puzzles and riddles where winners walk away with prizes.
Other shows to look forward to are Dandaro, hosted by Dynamite and The Drive hosted by DJ Vas and Ginger. Dynamite explodes as she hosts the mid-morning show which comes with riveting topics and good music mix. The combination of DJ Vas and Ginger has become a household name in Midlands Province with the upbeat music they play.
Another favourite show is the Saturday and Sunday mid-morning show hosted by Farai Kanengoni better known as Daddy K.
The two shows take the old listeners back as Daddy K entertains them with some 80s and 90s funk and some rhythm and blues (R&B) music.
Over the last five years the station has won a number of awards which include the Outstanding Radio Station Award at the Midlands Media Awards and Outstanding Leader in Media and Communications at the Zimbabwe CEO’s Network Awards among others.
From Monday to Thursday during its talk time slot the station hosts informative current affairs programs that are hosted by Vincent Mhene, Catherine Masocha and Sukoluhle Ndlovu.
“It seems like yesterday,” the station manager, Chengetai Murimwa, said.
He added: “It has been an incredible journey and the success of the station is owed to the staff, past and present, the advertisers to whom we are grateful for their continued support and our loyal listeners who keep supporting the station. We are looking forward to continuing growing together over the next five years.”
Kim Sibanda, the assistant station manager in charge of programming said 98.4 Midlands FM will continue striving to churn out quality programming.
“As a station we are focused on quality programming that entertains and educate listeners in the Midlands Province and beyond,” Sibanda said.
She added: “Since half of our existence was characterised by at home listening due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are coming up with new offerings on air which will include corporate activation and fun events targeting our Midlands listeners.”
The key account executive, Leo Mutengo, who is one of the pioneers at 98.4 Midlands FM, said he was pleased with the support the station has been receiving from the Midlands Province business community.
“The support has been great and we will continue coming up with tailor made packages that will best suit our clientele,” Mutengo said.
On air presenter Johanna Mathe better known as Ginger, said joining 98.4 Midlands FM gave her an opportunity to shine and showcase her talent.
“It’s been an exciting journey and a learning curve,” she said.
Dynamite weighed in saying: “It’s been a wonderful journey full of ups and downs but very important lessons learnt along the way”.
As part of the celebrations, 98.4 Midlands FM, will host a street bash along Five Street where the station is housed.
Local artists from Midlands and on air presenters such as DJ Masty, DJ Soshea and DJ Vas are expected to entertain guests.
