Linda Sibiya Fired from the second leading radio station in the world Ukhozi FM

Millions of Ukhozi FM listeners in South
Africa and around the world are finding it
hard to come to terms with the fact that
Linda "Mr Magic" Sibiya is no longer part of
the station. According to Isolezwe
newspaper, Mr Magic was fired on
Thursday. It is rumoured that his association
with the African National Congress (ANC) is
what cost him his job. He reportedly
attended several ANC events. In one event,
he is said to have publicly encouraged
people to vote ANC, something radio DJs are
not allowed to do.
From Monday the 3rd of February his
morning show, Vuka Mzansi, will be hosted
by Sipho Mbatha a.k.a DJ Sgqemeza. Khathide
Tshathugodo Ngobe will host the afternoon
drive. The reaction from listeners on Twitter
and Facebook shows clearly that they are
unhappy with these changes. Some of them
heavily criticized the station Manager Bonga
Mpanza for poor management skills. Others
threatened to boycott UKhozi FM and listen
to Gagasi 99.5FM and other competing radio
stations.
Sibiya's dismissal came as a shock to many
listeners. On Twitter, Nkululeko Dlala said:
"I'm still shocked about Linda Sibiya. UKhozi
FM will never be the same, we will miss you
Legend u (will) always be the best to me."
Another user, Kgolo_Daguru, said: "I can't
imagine Ukhozi fm without Mr Magic Linda
Sibiya."
Mr Magic's story about his journey to
success served as a source of inspiration to
many young people. There is a point in his
life when he was so broke that he hung
around the streets of Johannesburg without
a place to sleep. He would sleep at Park
Station, a railway station in Joburg. During
the day he sold bed linen. His life
circumstances made him consider
committing suicide. In 1995 Radio
Maritzburg (KZN) gave him an opportunity
to host a 12 - 1pm show. During that time
he also sold medical aid. In 1996, his dream
of joining Ukhozi FM came true. From there
he rose to prominence and became one of
the most popular DJs in the station's history.
From November last year, Mr Magic started
hosting a talk show called "S'funukwazi" on
DStv's Mzansi Magic. Whether his dismissal
has to do with his new show, his political
interests or personal conflicts with the
management is yet to be confirmed. On his
Twitter account, he said he would talk to the
media at a press conference soon.