Sol Phenduka earns radio award nomination months after Kaya FM dismissal

Sol Phenduka bags radio nods

Broadcaster Sol Phenduka has been recognised for the work he did during his time at Kaya FM, earning a nomination at this year’s Telkom Radio Awards in the Traffic Presenter category.

The nod comes just months after the station dismissed him, but Kaya has made it clear that the honour belongs entirely to him.

Kaya FM confirmed to The Citizen that it would not claim the award if Phenduka wins.

“Should he win, the award would rightly be his to accept, as it recognises his individual performance,” said programme manager Maekanya Morotoba.

Phenduka was suspended in late August and officially fired in September following what Kaya described as concerns about his public conduct.

Acting Managing Executive David Tiltmann said at the time that the decision came after reviewing comments Phenduka made on the Mac G podcast.

According to Tiltmann, “misogynistic remarks made about actress Minnie Dlamini were unacceptable and inconsistent with the respect owed to women.”

Following his suspension, Phenduka addressed the matter on Podcast and Chill, revealing that the situation stemmed from a R2.5 million lawsuit Minnie Dlamini had filed against him and co-host Mac G for alleged hate speech and harassment.

He said he was taken aback by Kaya’s public statement, explaining, “I’m surprised because they were like, ‘Don’t talk about it,’ and they drop the statement. So now I’m like, ‘Guys, I’m doing a podcast; I’ll get asked’.”

Despite their split, Kaya FM expressed no ill feelings about Phenduka’s nomination.

“We are pleased to see Sol’s work recognised by the industry. His nomination reflects the contribution he made during his time at Kaya,” Morotoba said, adding that their relationship with him “remains professional.”

Phenduka also responded graciously, wishing both the station and its other nominees well.

“Such amazing people who have been nominated. Each and every one of them, super dope humans. All the best fam,” he wrote.