Yarona FM is an urban broadcaster targeting young adults. The radio station is a private commercial entity that has existed since 1999. It is regulated by BOCRA and attracts a unique weekly audience of 250,000.

History

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Yarona FM logo, August 1999 - March 2008

The radio station started its 24-hour broadcast on August 22, 1999, the first independent radio station in the country,[1] and at first was primarily a local broadcaster within Gaborone (the capital city of Botswana) covering a radius of 50 km from its central transmitter. Until 2004 it was one of the only two licensed private radio stations in the country.[2] In June 2007 the station was offered a national broadcast license by Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority and began a national rollout covering Botswana's major centres: Lobatse, Mahalapye, Serowe, Palapye, Selibe Phikwe, Francistown and Maun. For much of its history, its programming focus was on arts and culture, primarily consisting of programs devoted to RnB, Hip Hop, Motswako and Pop music.

 
The official Yaronafm logo since April 2008

Brand

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From its conception, Yarona FM has identified itself with the "freshest" and newest songs, targeted towards Botswana's urban youth audience. Its initial tag lines were "Re tswhere vibe": setswana for "we've got the vibe" and "blazing GC's most rocking tunes". When the station went national in 2008, the tag line changed to "Live the music". Yarona FM is a positive, upwardly mobile forward thinking brand that encapsulates the aspirations, style, language, lives and future of the Youth of Botswana.[citation needed]

Frequencies(From South to North)

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Until April 2008, the radio station was broadcasting through the frequency 106.6 FM, which was part of its logo and brand until 7 more frequencies were added.

Past presenters

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Japs, Luzboy, Stups dawg, Big Duke Bonni (Current Programmes Manager), Tumie Ramsden, DJ Izzy, Chawa Bale, Dollar Mac, King Bee, Tshepo Ntshole, Dig Nash, Otis Fraser, Kepi, O'neal, Junior Psy, Jazelle, Owen Rampha (Current general manager), McD, Kedi Lezozo, Scar, Kingdom, Dum-luv, MduThaParty, and Big Fish are all popular names identified with the Yarona FM brand in the past. Some of these have now moved on to other local radio stations or to other ventures. Of late, and due to the high standards at Yarona FM, the station has become the number one breeding ground for talent amongst other broadcast entities in Botswana.

The youngest presenter in the history of the station are Kabelo "Japs" Tlhomelang (at age 15), airing in July 2000 with Kgosi "Dollar Mac" Kgosidintsi.

Yarona FM schedule

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Podcasting

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Yarona FM shows are also available via the stations SoundCloud account.

Schedule

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The network's base schedule is noted here, and applies only to Yarona FM's outlets.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Time
5am The Take Off

Hosted by:

Mr T

6am

The Big Breakfast Show

Hosted by:

Bad Boy Brando & Boineelo Hardy

The Big Breakfast Show

Hosted by:

Bad Boy Brando & Boineelo Hardy

The Big Breakfast Show

Hosted by:

Bad Boy Brando & Boineelo Hardy

The Big Breakfast Show

Hosted by:

Bad Boy Brando & Boineelo Hardy

The Big Breakfast Show

Hosted by:

Bad Boy Brando & Boineelo Hardy

Beats From Heaven

Hosted by:

Mr T

6am
8am
9am House of ZU

Hosted by:

Zuziwe Mavuma

House of Zu

Hosted by:

Zuziwe Mavuma

11am Power to the People

Hosted by:

Mdu Tha Party

Power to the People

Hosted by:

Mdu Tha Party

Power to the People

Hosted by:

Mdu Tha Party

Power to the People

Hosted by:

Mdu Tha Party

Power To the People

Hosted by:

Mdu Tha Party

Yarona FM Hot 40

Hosted by:

Ninah Lr

12noon
1pm Sugar Rush

Hosted by:

Ninah LR

2pm
The Galaxy Sports Show

Hosted by :

Fox

3pm Shuddup and Drive

Hosted by:

Kedi & King Bee Loungo

Shuddup and Drive

Hosted by:

Kedi & King Bee Loungo

Shuddup and Drive

Hosted by:

Kedi & King Bee Loungo

Shuddup and Drive

Hosted by:

Kedi & King Bee Loungo

Shuddup and Drive

Hosted by:

Kedi & King Bee Loungo

Kaofela

Hosted by:

Mzitho

Kaofela

Hosted by:

Mzitho

4pm
5pm
6pm The Log Drum

Hosted by:

Lala Slay

7pm Good Vibes Only

Hosted by:

Thabo Mhapha

Good Vibes Only

Hosted by:

Thabo Mhapha

Good Vibes Only

Hosted by:

Thabo Mhapha

Good Vibes Only

Hosted by:

Thabo Mhapha

The Soccer Show

Hosted by:

Fox

8pm 267 Hip Hop

Hosted by:

Dj Sway

9pm
10pm Yarona FM #YFest

Hosted by:

Dj Mix

Yarona FM #YFest

Hosted by:

DJ Mix

The Revolution

Hosted by:

Dj Kellz

11pm
12am
1am

References

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  1. ^ "Botswana TV delayed until 2000", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 22, September-October 1999
  2. ^ "Botswana Television (BTV) Negotiating Control and Cultural Production in a Globalising Context: A Political Economy of Media State Ownership in Africa" (PDF). University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. March 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2023.