New TV station 'raids' ZiFM

Popular news anchor at the local ZiFM Stereo - Candice Mwakalyelye and four other presenters - have left the private radio station for new opportunities on the continent and family reasons the station announced yesterday.

In statement, station manager, Tendai Madondo, said the departure of the presenters was testimony to the talent that the radio station was producing.

"The fact that our personalities are being head-hunted is testimony of the quality that we have at ZiFM Stereo," Madondo said.

Madondo said this while announcing the departure from ZiFM Stereo of Simbarashe Kaparipari aka DJ Eskay, Samantha Nozihlobo Ndhlovu aka Zihlo, Fire Friday host Kundayi Chiyanike, Current Affairs host Farai Mwakutuya and Mwakalyelye.

Eskay, who was hosting the popular Love Lounge and Old School shows on Sunday, is joining his wife in the United States.

Zihlo, who was co-hosting the Rush with DJ Munya, has moved to South Africa to work for a new continental television station while Kundai joins the same station but will continue to host her show.

Madondo said In News and Current Affairs, Farai Mwakutuya has been head-hunted by the same continental TV station although he will remain a talk show host, albeit on an intermittent basis.

Those leaving said they leave happily and will forever be indebted to ZiFM Stereo for providing them with a platform to be recognised in and out of Zimbabwe.

Mwakalyelye said she was leaving a happy person having worked for the station for four years.

"I have been at the station for four years and there comes a time for one to grow and move on and that is what I am doing. I leave the station a happy person who has been grown and built by a station I both love and admire," she said.

Mwakutuya said his new engagement would see him travelling a lot although he will be available at ZiFM Stereo.