The Sunday Mail
VETERAN radio personality, DJ Kudzi Marudza a.k.a Mr Cool, got a pleasant surprise from Capitalk 100.4FM at the recently held Old-School Reunion Party.
Marudza was conferred with an honorary award in recognition of his contribution to the broadcasting industry for the past 35 years.
Handing over the award to a visibly stunned Mr Cool, Capitalk FM station manager Napoleon Nyanhi described his contribution as unparalleled and thanked him for his unwavering support to budding radio stations.
“We have an amazing man that we would like to honour tonight. As Capitalk 100.4FM, we have only been around for less than a year but we stand on the shoulders of those that were there before us. Kudzi Marudza, thank you for gracing our Reunion Party.
“Kindly receive this small token of appreciation, which is an award we confer to you as Capitalk 100.4FM for the excellent contribution you have made to the broadcasting industry for the past 35 years,” said Nyanhi, adding that Mr Cool “had no idea!”
“What you have done has not gone unnoticed. We appreciate it. Younger generations of radio presenters who are coming up are looking up to you — thank you sir!”
Kudzi Marudza joined the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation initially as a library staffer in 1981 but showed passion for being a presenter soon after his arrival. He had his first on air presentation in 1982 but only landed a permanent slot in 1986. Since then, Kudzi Marudza has swapped shifts with the likes of Tsitsi Mawarire, Simon Parkinson, Joe Hussein and Peter Johns, among other veteran DJs from the ’80s and ’90s.
From a later generation, Marudza shared the studio microphone with the likes of Bridget Gavanga, Daves Mugadza, Innocent Manase, Admire Taderera, James Maridadi and Kelvin Ncube.
Meanwhile, the Reunion Party, which was held at Hometown Coffee House and BBQ in Borrowdale, lived up to its billing. Besides the oversubscribed venue, headline DJs Kelvin Sifelani, Otis Frazer, Darlington Masenda, Kudzi Marudza and KC the Gigmaster brought the house down with yesteryear jams, much to the amusement of fans.
Nyanhi said the Old-School Reunion Party concept was born out of the need to bring together mature Zimbabweans who spend most of their time away from home for various reasons but come back home for the festive holidays at the end of the year.
He said Capitalk 100.4FM will officially power the Old-School Reunion Party annually and fans should expect it to be bigger and better with each coming year.
The gig was attended by various high-ranking dignitaries, among them Italian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Enrico De Agostini, Sudanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Hamdan Wadi Dldoom, Vault Cosmetics founder Jacky Mgido, Tobacco Research Board general manager Dr Dahlia Garwe, former broadcaster and Member of Parliament Hon James Maridadi and NBS Bank chief executive officer Kwanele Ngwenya.
