Top DJs and Radio Presenters in Zimbabwe – STAR FM vs. ZiFM – 2017 Review

Ruvheneko - Radio and TV Presenter

If you are one of those people who has never visited Zimbabwe for a long time, then you are missing out a big deal because the level of entertainment is top notch. As they say in Afrikaans slang “Local is Lekker”. Once you tune in to STAR FM, one of several radio stations in Zimbabwe, you will find yourself watching less DSTV because the programs are interesting, the DJs are captivating and the music is great. This is an occasion to reveal the names of the top Radio DJs in Zimbabwe.

You see, I don’t usually listen to Radio, preferring to spend my time on DSTV and the internet (YouTube, Sound Cloud etc.). This all changed when I visited my home country. I found my friend listening to a song on radio (I can’t remember the song).I asked him the name of the radio station and he said it’s ZiFM. From that day onwards I started tuning into radio stations whenever I was bored with DSTV, just to get a feel of the programs and the quality of music. I was playing Zim radio on my car. Radio is nice when you are travelling long distances. As it turns out, the FM frequency band is where the best radio stations are found. STAR FM and ZiFM are the coolest and top modern radio stations in Zimbabwe. Both are active on social media such as Facebook and Twitter. STAR FM has the highest listenership in the country, but the ZiFM Facebook Page has the highest number of fans. I listened to ZiFM for several days. The quality of programs and presentations is great. ZiFM presenters such as Ruvheneko, ESKay and Sokostina were great to listen to, and of course Ruvheneko is one of the best presenters in Zimbabwe. She is an articulate, engaging, fierce and assertive presenter who likes confronting corruption. Her departure from ZiFM left a void that will be hard to fill.Apparently ESKay and Sokostina also left ZiFM.

However, later on I tuned in to STAR FM. This became my favourite radio station for a lot of reasons. First, STAR FM has an array of talented DJs and presenters, a variety of interesting programs and it is the station where I discovered a lot of great music and big names in Zim Dancehall, Zim Hip Hop, Sungura, Zim House and other types of music. You see, I have listened to music from a variety of African artists, and I have to say that Zimbabwean artists are talented. I can also say with confidence that Zimbabwean DJs and presenters are easily the best in Africa. They are not only fluent in the English language but they have personality too.

In case you didn’t know, this is the era of the Y Generation. This young generation of Zimbabwean artists is introducing music from all corners of the world, music such as Kizomba, a type of music that is relatively new in Zimbabwe.

Top Radio DJs and Presenters in Zimbabwe

The following current generation of STAR FM radio DJs and presenters are not only highly talented and interesting to listen to, but they also convinced me that “Local is Lekker”:

The Moxinator - Shingai Mokina

The Moxinator – Specializing in the Zim hip hop and urban music scene, the moxinator (real name Shingai Mokina) is a cool DJ to hang around with on STAR FM.He will moxinate you with ‘moxygen’ and you will never be the same again. You keep coming back for more until the ‘’moxygen tank’ is empty. It’s his job to fill it. He handled the end of year 2016 STAR FM Top 50 very well. To get an idea of new music that is penetrating Zimbabwe, Brian K – (Heavy Machine) came at No.3 in the End of Year Top 50, beating a lot of established giants such as Winky D and Jah Prayzah. RATING - I give the Moxinator 5 stars.

KVG - Kudzai Violet

KVG & Phathisani – One of the most popular DJs on STAR FM. Most people (especially guys) are infatuated with KVG’s voice. She is one of the sexiest presenters in the country. The initials KVG stand for Kudzai Violet Gwara. Her co-presenter Phathisani brings in real dude talk on social issues which the average man in the street can associate with. This pair is always exciting, energetic, lively and carefree on air. There is some chemistry between them which makes them click as presenters. They always deliver a good show when they are together. As they “go deeper” into topics and issues, you have to anticipate a good debate that will grab your attention for hours – a dose of realism, sincerity and naughtiness. RATING - I give KVG & Phathisani 5 stars.

Yvonne Mangunda

Yvonne Mangunda – She is a professional sports presenter for STAR FM. She performs better than most male sports journalists or any male presenter that I have ever known. What I like about Yvonne is that she speaks fluently and clearly, unlike some nose brigades on STAR FM who chew words trying to speak with an American accent. Yvonne speaks smoothly, she rarely stammers and she rarely gets mind blocks trying to think of a word or something to say. Above all, you can clearly hear every word she says. RATING - I give Yvonne 5 stars.

Steve Vickers

Steve Vickers  – A well known, talented and knowledgeable STAR FM English sports presenter with a lot of experience. Super Sports and BBC are some of the broadcasting stations he has worked for. Mr V is known for being a disciplined and good mannered presenter, very professional and above all, he is a world class presenter, not only for Sports but other programs as well. He is a good quiz master and gifted at giving some sound motivational advice. RATING - I give Mr Vee 5 stars.

The Skywalker – Real name Ndumiso Dube.He is a top vernacular language DJ on STAR FM and probably the best in the country, specializing in Sungura music. This smooth and slick DJ is socially intelligent, witty, charming and streetwise. He is the type of personality that is easily liked by anyone on first impressions. And of course, he is the Sungura king. RATING - I give the Skywalker 5 stars.

Aunty Tilda – If you don’t know Aunty Tilda, then you are probably a youngster who doesn’t tune in to adult vernacular programs on STAR FM. She is a well-known vernacular language presenter on STAR FM, and probably the most popular in the whole country. This senior presenter obtained her fame from programs such as Tilda Live which is aired every Tuesday at 9:00pm. Her programs are focussed on Zimbabwean traditional beliefs, customs, culture, superstitions, witchcraft, African rituals and extraordinary happenings in the community. If you are looking for a strange and mysterious story that you thought only exists in imagination, then Tilda Live is the program to tune into. RATING – I give Aunty Tilda 5 stars.

RK – Also known as Richard Kohola, this senior STAR FM presenter is capable of creating an engaging conversation and debate that has potential to spark fireworks. If you tune in to Faith on Trial every Sunday, you will understand why it’s exciting. It’s because of the RK factor. He has a way of questioning that makes you think again. RK is a versatile presenter, capable of handling a variety of social, educational and motivational programs. He also plays DJ on Saturdays as the Music Doctor. RATING – I give RK 5 stars.

Other good presenters on STAR FM are Yvonne Karichero (Farmers Forum) and Nyaradzo Makombe (The Hub Livewire).

Ruvheneko

Ruvheneko – The daughter of the famous Doctor David Parirenyatwa. She is a popular former ZiFM radio presenter, and one of the best in the country. At ZiFM she was also the Programmes Manager. With the passion and fearlessness she exudes on shows, you would want this firebrand and articulate DJ to be your lawyer. Every radio station in Zimbabwe would love to snatch her. Ruvheneko joined the young ZiFM radio station and quickly proved to be the most popular show host with her programme The Platform. She later on resigned from ZiFM even though the company offered to move her to a video production department called Mighty Movies. She is now working at ZTV on a programme called My Future.

Ruvheneko is very involved in all programs that she is participates in. She is a fluent English speaker with a beautiful voice, assertive and engaging. You have to be prepared when you enter into a debate with Ruvheneko because you will be cornered like a rabbit. She is a social mirror, in sync with public opinion and will ask questions that ordinary Zimbabweans are burning to ask. RATING - I give Ruvheneko 5 Stars.

The Best Radio Presenters and DJs – English Language

The following Zimbabwean radio presenters and DJs can deliver exceptionally well in the English language, they are not only fluent in English but they are also articulate, eloquent and good sounding.

KVG – She has a great voice and sexy personality. She delivers well in the English language and it’s no secret that many people are in love with her voice. Even some Zim artists have verses in their songs talking about KVG’s voice.

The Moxinator – As an urban hip hop DJ and presenter, the Moxinator sounds natural in the English language. It’s easy to confuse him for Tich Mataz or one of those hood “salads” who grew up in Avondale.

Yvonne Mangunda – She is a well-known female voice on STAR FM Sports. She is an amazing speaker who delivers exceptionally well and smoothly in the English language. She is fast and yet you can clearly get every word she says. Her eloquence, fluency and clarity are above par. Sometimes it’s hard to get what KVG and The Moxinator say because they speak with an accent, but Yvonne is always clear.

Steve Vickers (Mr V) – He is a native English speaker, so presenting in English is a walk in the park for him. If you want to know facts, well researched and balanced material, then this guy is good at it. He is a level-headed and professional presenter who desists from taking sides or opinionated positions.

RK – He is comfortable in the English language, and can easily switch between Shona and English whenever it’s convenient.

Ruvheneko - A popular high class presenter with a good command of the English language. She is fluent, articulate, passionate, engaging and expressive. An exceptional speaker with an attractive voice that makes you want to listen to her all the time. When she is on a show, you wish the show would go on and on.

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By Stanley Soweto