22nd May 2013, Johannesburg.

METRO FM Station Management would like to address two unfortunate programming incidents that have happened
on-air in two of our shows respectively, ie. The First Avenue as well as the The Touch Down Show. The stance that we
as a station are taking on both the issues is as follows:

OPEN LETTER TO UNATHI MSENGANA

An open letter addressed to the host of METRO FM’s First Avenue breakfast show Unathi Msengana has been doing
the rounds on social Networks and this particular letter is now in the possession of the station. It is written by a
clearly disgruntled listener of the show and we as a Station hold the contents of the letter in high esteem. Each and
every listener of any of our Show’s on METRO FM is respected and appreciated by the station, hence our stance.

We would like to request that the public at large, our audiences as well as the media allow us as the Station’s Management
to investigate the strongly worded letter and the contents thereof accordingly. Over and above that allow us the time
to engage our presenter Unathi Msengana on her views and outlook in the matter at hand, after which we will make our
findings as a Station known accordingly. We trust that our request will be viewed favorably.

UNSAVORY INTERVIEW ON “THE TOUCH DOWN” SHOW ON 21st May 2013

As of today, the entire team of the Touch Down Show will not be scheduled on-air until further notice by Management.
Yesterday afternoon the team unfortunately conducted an interview which was a clear contravention/transgression of
Radio Policy. The interview was regrettably that of explicit nature which is an unfortunate violation of our mandate.
We are a station that informs, educates, entertains and that operates within strict confines of Broadcasting
Regulations and we intend to do just that in a professional and respectful manner.

Please note that team has not been suspended, but are merely not scheduled until we have gone through our internal
processes and procedures. A decision will then be made following the findings of the investigation and we will then
communicate these accordingly. Once again, we request that the public, our audiences, as well as the media allow
us as a station to manage this process the best way we can and revert back to you once this is complete. We trust that
our request in this regard will receive your favorable understanding.

METRO FM, its where you’re at!

On Saturday I’ll be heading through to the Jameson First Shot red carpet premiere. This is the second premiere of its kind and I reckon it’s going to be lots of fun again. Last year, the campaign gave aspiring and upcoming filmmakers the opportunity to be mentored by Hollywood A-lister Kevin Spacey, his business partner Dana Brunetti thanks to the team at Jameson. It was sound a resounding success that the decided to do it once again and this year the team has enlisted the help of another Hollywood giant, Willem Dafoe.

South African filmmaker Hanneke Schutte was chosen as the winner this year. She flew over to the US, where she made her film, SAVING NORMAN (previously PING PONG WITH MR YONG) and we’ll be getting to see that film on Saturday evening. I’ll be on the red carpet taking pics and video. So follow me on Twitter: @JasonVonBerg, on Instagram or check back here for more interviews.

It promises to be a festive evening once again and big up to the team at Jameson for getting involved in such a lekker campaign.

One of my favourite people in the industry is the lovely Unathi Msengana. She makes up one third of Metro FM’s breakfast show, as well as the Idols judging panel. She’s a singer, a mother, a wife and what a lot of people wont know is that she’s heavily involved in the behind the scenes of a massive TV show too. Multitalented much?

She’s been a friend, an inspiration, a mentor to me throughout the years and I’m grateful/ honoured to know her.

Unathi covers the June issue of TRUE LOVE magazine and might I say they did a fantastic job with this one. Looking gorgeous Mrs Msengana! There has been a little bit of drama around Unathi’s apparent “tendency of making listeners look small” (read the open letter here) this week. My view on this? All morning DJs have personalities; all DJs have their fans and their haters. Nobody can go through life having everyone agree with their views, their gestures, their mannerisms and their actions. It’s not humanely possible.

I listen to a lot of the morning breakfast DJs everyday on my way to work. Let me use Gareth Cliff as another example. He cuts people off all the time. He is known to be rude too. He’s also extremely intelligent, opinionated and entertaining. Fans will listen constantly, but so will the haters. The reason? They want to hear what he or she says so that they can nail them. Snore fest really. Bottom line, if you don’t like him/ her or any of the other DJs in the morning, best you go and buy yourself a CD and listen to that on your way to work. If I know Unathi though, she will respond and engage with this listener, so watch out for that.

The open letter will get spark a conversation. It will drive engagement and a debate. It will get the show more listeners and it’ll probably get Unathi a lot more followers on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. Plus TRUE LOVE will probably shift a few more copies too. So who wins at the end of the day?

Related articles

• Dear Unathi Msengana, (namsunrestricted.wordpress.com)

Just released is the highly anticipated trailer for The Wolverine, which stars Hugh Jackman in the title role. The film is due for release in July…. Can’t wait!

Subscribe on YouTube – http://goo.gl/oTLWr
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/TheWolverineM…
Follow us on Twitter – @WolverineMovie

SA star, activist Danny K is back with a brand new single. It’s called Brown Eyes and it’s blazing at the moment. The song has been added to most of the radio playlists and with the video’s release, it’s bound to get loads of TV time and Internet views too. Good work Danny. Nice video too.

“President Obama and the First Lady look forward to traveling to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania from June 26 – July 3.  The President will reinforce the importance that the United States places on our deep and growing ties with countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including through expanding economic growth, investment, and trade; strengthening democratic institutions; and investing in the next generation of African leaders.

The President will meet with a wide array of leaders from government, business, and civil society, including youth, to discuss our strategic partnerships on bilateral and global issues.  The trip will underscore the President’s commitment to broadening and deepening cooperation between the United States and the people of sub-Saharan Africa to advance regional and global peace and prosperity.”

I got to see Michelle Obama back in 2011, while she was out here for some work. She was graceful and lovely, everything we expected. I’m sure he’ll be as charming when he heads here too. Looking forward to it.

For more info you can check out the White House website.

You can also follow all the latest tweets from the US Embassy Pretoria: @USEmbPretoria.

Firstly, let me just say I’m happy the person on the receiving end of Miguel’s knee is okay… That said, how funny is this? Miguel got a little excited and misjudged the distance between the stage platforms. As a result his long jumping ways fell short resulting in him kneeing some helpless fan at this year’s Billboard Music Awards. Thank goodness she’s okay.

Sidebar, Miguel should have a song “I Kneed you, LEG go” Ha.

He is one of the most well known and well respected football players in the world. More than that, he is one of the most famous athletes in the world… It’s been a pleasure watching what David Beckham has done for the game of soccer, but yesterday the 38-year-old announced his retirement from the game. A great innings, an incredible career and we look forward to what he will be doing going forward.

Thanks for the memories David! Salute.

And with that, I can let those of you in Cape Town and in Jozi know that Snoop will be in your hood too. He’ll be out at the Ellis Park Arena on Sunday evening, followed by a concern at the Grand Area GrandWest on the 21^st. AKA and Jack Parow will be the support acts for ‘the Lion’.

Tickets Available at: www.computicket.com:

Johannesburg 19 May –Ellis Park Arena:

·         Golden Circle R650

·         Regular seated and standing R350

Cape Town – 21 May – Grand Arena, GrandWest:

·         Golden Circle R550

·         Regular standing R380

·         Seated Mezzanine R320

You can also get yourself a copy of Snoop’s REINCARNATED on iTunes (http://smarturl.it/ReincarnatedDX) and on Amazon (http://smarturl.it/reincarnatedam) while you’re at it.

NB note, concert promoters G&G Productions are urging Snoop fans to get their tickets now to avoid disappointment.

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist:
Beyoncé
Tamar Braxton
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
Elle Varner

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist:
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Justin Timberlake
Usher

Best Group:
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Mary Mary
Mindless Behaviour
Slaughterhouse
The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)

Best Collaboration:
2 Chainz f/ Drake – No Lie
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne – Pop That
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – Poetic Justice
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – Mercy

Best Male Hip Hop Artist:
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist:
Azealia Banks
Eve
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Rye Rye

Video of the Year:
2 Chainz f/ Drake – No Lie
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
Drake – Started From The Bottom
Drake f/ Lil Wayne – HYFR
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – Poetic Justice
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Wanz – Thrift Shop
Miguel – Adorn
Rihanna – Diamonds
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – Mercy

Video Director of the Year:
A$AP Rocky & Sam Lecca
Benny Boom
Director X
Dre Films
Hype Williams

Best New Artist:
Azealia Banks
Joey Bada$$
Kendrick Lamar
Trinidad Jame$
The Weeknd

Best Gospel Artist:
Deitrick Haddon
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Mary Mary
Marvin Sapp

Best Actress:
Angela Bassett
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington

Best Actor:
Don Cheadle
Common
Jamie Foxx
Samuel L. Jackson
Denzel Washington

YoungStars Award:
Gabrielle Douglas
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Jaden Smith
Quvenzhané Wallis

Best Movie:
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap
Sparkle
Think Like A Man

Subway Sportswoman of the Year:
Gabrielle Douglas
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year:
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant
Robert Griffin III
LeBron James
Ray Lewis

Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award:
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
Drake – Started From The Bottom
Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Drank)
Miguel – Adorn
Rihanna – Diamonds
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie

Centric Award:
Tamar Braxton – Love and War
Fantasia – Lose To Win
Miguel – Adorn
Nas – Daughters
Charlie Wilson – My Love Is All I Have

Best International Act, Africa:
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
Toya Delazy (South Africa)
Donald (South Africa)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
R2Bees (Ghana)
Radio and Weasel (Uganda)

Best International Act UK:
Marsha Ambrosius
Estelle
Labrinth
Rita Ora
Emeli Sandé
Wiley