ANELE MDODA TO LIGHT UP BREAKFAST

Radio and television personality adds breakfast host to her impressive resume. PICTURE: Primedia

RADIO personality ANELE Mdoda will become the first South African woman to take over a commercial breakfast show, after this morning she was announced to be taking over 947 breakfast show.

Beginning her new role in April, Mdoda will take over Darren Simpson's 13 year long slot, after he had spent 18 years in the radio industry.

Mdoda who's worked on the station's afternoon drive for five years said she was "honoured to take on the challenge of the breakfast show". 

"My first big radio break was at 947 and I am thankful to management for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. The station, and the breakfast show in particular, is home to radio royalty with personalities like

 Darren Simpson, who has continued to evolve the breakfast show and create radio magic. I know that he’s going to be a tough act to follow. 

"Radio is and always will be a very personal platform and I am driven by the connection I have with my listeners. I will always work hard to deliver content that evokes emotion, makes people laugh and gets them thinking. I’m looking forward to the next part of this incredible journey on 947,” she said.

Simpson, who's bee in the radio industry for 18 years said "it is time for a lifestyle change and a new challenge".

“It has been a privilege to wake up Joburg, and I have achieved all of the milestones that I set out to achieve in morning radio – growing audience, commercial success, awards and most importantly, we have changed lives on this show,” he said.

He added that the timing of the change was prompted by a need to re-prioritise his life.

“Breakfast radio is physically and emotionally exhausting. I don’t think people realise all the demands that are placed on a breakfast show – the extensive preparation that goes into it and all that is required for the station and for clients. As the host, I am often here until 9pm at night.

“I have a young family and last year I hit a point where, despite being in Johannesburg, I hadn’t seen my kids awake for three straight days. It set off alarms for me, and I realized that something had to change,” said Simpson.

Mdoda started her commercial radio career with 947 when she joined the station with partner Grant Nash to host an evening show in 2006. She then moved to national station, 5FM before returning to 947 in 2012 to take on a solo drive time show. She's also become a television star with her own daily talk show, RealTalk with Anele on SABC3, where she's interviewed local stars such as Trevor Noah, Minister of Sports Fikile Mbalula and more.

The changes will come into effect from Monday 3 April 2017. - release from Primedia