Hip and Relevant
Gagasi FM is a commercial radio station in KwaZulu Natal that reaches the urban and peri-urban black youth. It is also the largest regional commercial radio station in South Africa when comparing audience figures *(RAMS Aug-Dec 2012). The station harnesses a strong local identity and embraces KZN’s urban and peri-urban black youth market by broadcasting in Zunglish â€" a combination of English and isiZulu.
Although the station’s footprint officially stretches from Durban to St Lucia in the north, inland to Ladysmith and as far south as Kokstad and Port Edward, its listenership is growing quickly outside provincial borders and it currently attracts just under 1.8 million listeners weekly.
Gagasi FM provides advertisers with unmatched levels of brand activation, reaching out to a target audience of Black young urban and peri-urban youth between the ages of 16 - 34 (LSM 4-7). Gagasi FM strives to remain relevant and keeps in touch with what matters most to its listeners, meeting their information and educational needs through specialist features, focused events and promotions. Content includes dedicated lifestyle features and specialist slots such as news, sports, traffic reports, competitions and on-air features. The station boasts lively and talented on-air presenters who are passionate about what they do.
The Beat of Africa
As a young, hip, fresh, trendy and youthful station, Gagasi FM is music driven. The music format offers a diverse mix of R&B, Durban Kwaito, Afro House, Afro Pop, Hip Hop and Classic Soul. The station conducts regular research exercises to ensure that listeners only hear what they want to hear.
As result of this, the station is a trend setter for KZN’s black youth market. This is underscored by partnerships with KZN’s top artists and recording companies e.g. Afrotainment (Big NUZ, DJ Tira, DJ Cyndo and DJ Siyanda). Through Gagasi Music Sessions, Gagasi FM has assisted in bolstering several up and coming artiststhat have now become national sensations e.g. Dream Team.
Last year, the Topstars Reality Show was launched to help listeners and aspiring DJs achieve their dreams of becoming on air presenters at Gagasi FM. Nomfundo Mzolo from Empangeni won out against thousands of hopefuls, receiving a one year on air presenter contract and an assured slot on radio every weekday as well as other cool prizes.
Gagasi FM has also put its stamp on music in KZN by becoming media partners for high profile music events starting with the Chris Brown concert in December 2012. In 2013 Gagasi FM has continued with these strong media partnerships, starting with the Music At The Lake Series in April, and in May the MTV Africa All Stars KwaZulu-Natal starring Snoop Lion, performing his greatest hits interspersed with his new “Reincarnated†reggaeflavoured repertoire and including Nigerian superstar 2 Face, Flavour and Zakes Bantwini. In the same month of May, this was followed by gospel music extravaganza, Ayihlome, starring award winning American gospel greats, Donnie McClurkin and Cece Winans.
Vuyokazi Mhlophe, brand activation and marketing manager at Gagasi FM, said it is such an honour for Gagasi FM to support music driven partnerships as music is at the heart of many South African’s and Gagasi FM listeners.
2013 Line-Up
The 2013 line-up sees an increase in music output on weekends as well as a focus on sports in the mornings. “This will ensure that we remain the number one sound of the city, retain the uniqueness of the station’s personality and continue to provide our listeners with what they want,†says Vukile Zondi, Gagasi’s programme manager.
Alex and the Morning Crew (Weekdays between 6am and 9am)
Listeners tune in for a “wake-up†call with Alex and the Morning Crew. The show is anchored by well-known KZN radio personality Alex Mthiyane - a seasoned journalist who previously worked as a news reader and presenter at both the SABC and DSTV. His co-host is comedian Kini Shandu, and producer Jacinta Ngobese. The show engages with listeners on everything from current issues to sporting events and breaking news, giving them a platform to challenge each other on air through a feature called Zindala Zombili through a feature called “Ziphendulele†listeners, celebrities and business people have a platform to share their side of the stories that appear in the tabloid media.