FLAGSTAFF: Inkonjane FM presenters decry non-payment of salaries, citing months of financial struggle, bill payment woes, and safety concerns over late-night commutes without transport, sparking turmoil at the radio station.

Inkonjane FM, a radio station launched on April 20, 2009, dedicated to promoting the isiMpondo language in the Eastern Cape, currently situated beside Langa S.S.S in Flagstaff, faces controversy as staff claimed unpaid salaries, while the station vehemently denied any instances of financial non-compliance, refuting allegations of persistent payment delays.

The station’s radio DJs who spoke out under condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, have leveled allegations against the station, claiming they have gone unpaid for several months, casting a shadow over the station’s financial practices and sparking concerns about fair compensation for its on-air talent.

We are at our breaking point ‘as we face threatening notices from landlords for unpaid rent, struggle to put food on the table, and risk our safety with every late-night commute, navigating dangerous routes without secure transportation, just to get home, – said employees.

Pondoland Times spoke to the Simbongile Mbo, the radio’s station manager who confirmed no claims of such nature to be true.

“I’ve been a part of this radio station from the beginning, first as a presenter and now as the station manager for over five years. I’m responsible for ensuring our staff gets paid and I can confidently say that we’ve never had any issues with delayed or missing payments during my tenure. Our team, including DJs, news writers, and readers has always demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and enthusiasm, which is a testament to our station’s excellence,” cleared Mbo.

According to Mbo, despite facing financial ebbs and flows, the radio station perseveres, relying solely on revenue generated from government services information, local events, and entertainment to stay afloat.

When cash flow is strained, we are forced to sign an acknowledgement of debt (AOB) with our signal distributor, a situation that thankfully rarely extends beyond two months, – He added.

The manager also revealed that a promising opportunity to upgrade the station to its deserved standards, courtesy of Patrice Motsepe’s offer, unfortunately stalled for unknown reasons, leaving plans on the backburner. Beyond the controversies surrounding the radio station, its manager has spotlighted the positive transformative impact it has had on the local community, highlighting numerous charitable donations, cultural enrichment initiatives, and the fervent promotion of isiMpondo literature, thereby underscoring the station’s profound contribution to the social fabric of the region.