Radio 47, which is set to launch any time, has assembled a team of power presenters. Cape Media, the company running the radio station and TV 47, has poached big names in radio hoping to pull audiences and help grow the station into a leading source of news and information.
The company has taken a number of presenters from Radio Maisha, owned by Standard Group as well Milele FM, which is run by Mediamax Network. Radio 47 will broadcast mainly in Kiswahili with the national language taking 80% of the programming and English taking a small portion.
It is expected to face stiff competition from both Kiswahili and Vernacular radio stations both nationally and regionally as the battle for radio airwaves gets more competitive. Radio 47 is riding on the success of TV 47, Cape Media’s television arm which boats being Kenya’s fastest growing TV station.
BusinessToday takes a look at some of the notable names the radio station has signed up.
HASSAN MWANA WA ALI
Hassan Mwana wa Ali is a veteran Kiswahili sports commentator and presenter, who has been appointed Swahili Sports Editor at Radio 47. Other than handling the editorial affairs, Ali will also present and commentate on football matches. Prior to leaving Radio Maisha, Ali hosted Nuhu ya Lugha – Elimu na Burudani programme at the Standard Media Group.
LYNDA ORIASO
Former Programmes Controller at Standard Group’s Radio Maisha, Lynda Oriaso is also set to inject her wealth of experience at Radio 47. Oriaso is a celebrated radio personality with over 15 years of experience in broadcast journalism. She has vast experience in training, event management, research, programme production, scripting and talent management.
Oriaso has also worked at the Nation Media Group as a radio presenter. Her mantra in the media industry is the acknowledgement that; ‘there is someone out there much better than you.’ She highlighted that it is for that reason that media players needed to be on their toes to achieve more.
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EVAH MWALILI
Evah Mwalili, who is popularly known as Mama Taifa at Milele FM, has joined a growing list of star-studded personalities joining Radio 47. The gospel radio host, is one of the most celebrated journalists having won three major awards.
In 2015, Mwalili made her mark in the gospel industry after she won Gospel Presenter of the Year at Groove Awards. She went on to win the award for three consecutive years ending in 2017. Mwalili has also been the recipient of Mwafaka Awards (2012) and Maranatha Global Worship Awards (2018).
Mwalili during her decade-long stint at Milele FM created a legion of loyal fans making her Ligi ya Washindi gospel show one of the most listened to in the country. The show won gospel show of the year at Groove Awards for a record seven times.
GEOFFREY MANG’OU
Geoffrey Mung’ou is a veteran newsreader, editor, producer, and program host. Apart from being a media personality, Mungo’u is equally an author having written the Swahili novel Mkakasi. He was a co-host of the programme ‘Nuru ya Lugha’ with Hassan Mwana wa Ali at Radio Maisha which aired every Saturday from 8 am to 11 am.
BEATRICE MAGANGA
Beatrice Maganga has left the Standard Group after almost a decade. The eloquent Swahili news reader, who started off at Pamoja FM in Kibera, will be looking to excite her audience with her charming voice and command of the Swahili language.
Would like to apply for a job as a presenter/reporter at radio 47