SHAYANDIMA – The former station manager of the now defunct Radio Thohoyandou, Mr Sakkie Dagada (53) has bounced back to the studio with a mighty sound, after 15 years off the air. But this time, he is behind the microphone, armed with a Bible in his hand. He now presents Mudzimu ndi lufuno (God is love), one of the most popular programmes in the history of Phalaphala FM.

Dagada was an undisputed king of the airwaves during his heyday. He won several awards in the eighties and he also successfully represented Radio Venda and Radio Thohoyandou in countless national competitions. His name will appear in a special chapter in the South African broadcasting history book because he hooked listeners tuned to his popular programmes Phenyadzinwe (Top 20), Dze na khetha (Listener’s choice) and Tshibulebule (Pick a box show) with Radio Thohoyandou in the late eighties. Due to his ability to hold the listeners in the palm of his hand, he became the most famous presenter in Radio Thohoyandou and listeners gave him names like Sakkie the music man, Danda la musimbiri or Golden voice man.

He is still using his talent to win the hearts of thousands listeners who cannot afford to miss his new show.

“When I was still a presenter at the former Radio Venda and Radio Thohoyandou, I was well-known for hitting the listeners with powerful music. This time I am hitting them with the Word of God. I am happy to return to the studio as a man of the cloth, because my job is to save lost souls and to restore human dignity through the love of God,” said Dagada, now a successful businessman and pastor of the Shayandima-based Christ Worship House.

Mudzimu ndi lufuno is on air every Sunday between 07:00 amd 08:00. The programme tackles different topics based on the love of God. Different experts on various matters are invited to the studio but the theme remains the love of God. “Mudzimu ndi lufuno aims to transform people’s unbecoming practices through the love of Christ. Although the programme is only two months old, I’m happy because listeners have come to realize that God is patient and His patience is not meant to hurt them, but rather to give them a chance to repent. We need to forget about church politics and focus on the love of God, to rescue those broken souls.”

Dagada says he only directs the programme but he gives more chance to the listeners to air their views. “Whenever I open the lines, they never stop ringing. Those who do not have access to telephones are given the opportunity to send their ideas through the post. This is meant to make sure that all the listeners are part of the show. They testify on air what the Lord has done for them through the programme and this makes me happy because I know that the love of God is giving them a new life. Listeners have also complained that the one hour time for Mudzimu ndi lufuno is not enough. I will raise the issue with the management of the station to see if something can be done to satisfy the listeners in all respects.”

Born to a village headman in the mountainous rural village of Guyuni, Dagada deserted the microphone for the Bible in April 1991. “I became totally transformed in February 1993 and started preaching in March 2002 - and since then, I am the man of the pulpit every Sunday. I could not resist grasping this opportunity when the Management of Phalaphala FM approached me to present this special programme. I thanked God because I knew that He wants to use me to spread His word to thousands of listeners.”

Dagada is the sole sponsor of the Phalaphala FM – Kanana Bread annual Eisteddfod Competition. He has also fought hardly to fight poverty by making countless donations to the needy in Limpopo.