Munghana Lonene 50 years old

POLOKWANE – MUNGHANA Lonene FM celebrated its 50th birthday at Sun Meropa recently.

“Having gone through various transitions, among others a name change, corporate identity change, new station managers and even moving offices from Johannesburg to Polokwane, it is amazing to know that the station still appeals to more listeners in Limpopo and outside the province,” said the station manager, James Shikwambana.

“Other outstanding transitions include when the station was broadcast on medium wave from Polokwane in February 1984 and on May 1, of the same year, coverage was extended to listeners in Soweto via a low power FM transmitter atop the SABC building at Auckland Park. In 1977, the station relocated to Polokwane, and satellite offices were also launched in Giyani and Thulamahashi in 1973 and 1982 respectively. In 1996, the station’s name changed from Radio Tsonga to Munghana Lonene FM.”

Activities during the celebration included a jazz and fusion session at Jembe Tavern and the cutting of the birthday cake.

The station will celebrate with its listeners on Saturday when they broadcast from Chiawelo Xikhumba in the Greater Giyani Municipality.

“We will also hand-over a house to a family in Mashamba village,” said Shikwambana.

He added that staff members would be awarded for their hard work during an awards ceremony at Sun Meropa on February 26.