Culture Craze
Kaya 959 Suspends Sol Phenduka: Fans React as Breakfast Host Taken Off Air
A Sudden Silence on the Airwaves
Listeners of Kaya 959 woke up to unexpected news: breakfast show presenter and well-known podcaster Sol Phenduka has been suspended with immediate effect. The station confirmed the move in a statement on Wednesday, explaining that the decision was linked to an internal process currently underway.
“Kaya 959 is committed to following due process,” the station noted, adding that no further details would be shared until the matter had been concluded.
For now, the reasons remain undisclosed, leaving fans surprised and the Johannesburg radio community buzzing with speculation.
From Podcast Pioneer to Radio Regular
Phenduka’s name has long been tied to the irreverent but wildly popular “Podcast and Chill with MacG,” which he co-hosts. When he joined Kaya 959 three years ago, it marked a big step into the commercial radio world. He was paired with seasoned broadcaster Dineo Ranaka to take over the breakfast slot once held by Thomas Msengana and Skhumba Hlophe.
His early months were not without turbulence. Listeners complained that Ranaka dominated the microphone, at times leaving Phenduka sidelined. Social media even coined the nickname “traffic guy,” a nod to his minimal airtime. Despite that, he stuck it out, and when Ranaka exited the station in 2023, Phenduka moved forward alongside Sizwe Dhlomo as his breakfast partner.
The Double Life of a Broadcaster
When Phenduka signed with Kaya 959, fans feared it would mean the end of his role on “Podcast and Chill.” He was quick to shut those rumours down. Speaking in 2022, he said management had agreed he could continue co-hosting the podcast, calling it the highlight of his career.
“I will continue co-hosting Podcast and Chill with MacG as agreed with Kaya 959 management,” he shared at the time. “This alone is a privilege, as it tells me that I am not being dictated to.”
That arrangement has been part of his unique identity: a figure who straddles both mainstream radio and digital disruption.
Public Reaction and What Comes Next
Social media has erupted with speculation and concern following news of his suspension. Many fans expressed confusion, while others defended his growth in the often-cutthroat radio industry. For now, Kaya 959 has asked the public for patience until its internal process is concluded.
Until then, one of the most talked-about voices in Joburg radio will remain silent on the airwaves, though his presence on the podcasting scene is likely to continue.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
