"Where is Razz Matazz? How can he leave us without saying goodbye? Please, do something because we want to know what exactly happened to him. The South African broadcasting industry will never be same without him."

This is the reaction of one of the countless Mirror readers who called, inquiring about the whereabouts of popular multiple award winning veteran Phalaphala FM ‘Tshingondo’ (Zimbabwean music) presenter, Russel ‘Razz Matazz’ Mashige who suddenly disappeared from the air waves in April.

Razz Matazz shook the broadcasting industry when listeners demanded his comeback after several veteran presenters were invited to present different programmes by the management of Phalaphala FM as part of the station’s 41st birthday celebrations on 18 February, 2006. Also known as Mbatata, Mashige was laid off when Radio Thohoyandou and Radio Venda merged in 1998 and the SABC told him that his post was redundant.

With only four months back on air after a break of eight years, Razz Matazz was honoured by the Vhembe Arts and Culture Council, for his role in promoting tshingondo music and putting Venda traditional music on the map. Razz Matazz is known for his trademark tshinanga (small horn) which he blew mercilessly when presenting Devhula ha Vhembe (DV) on Saturdays, between 19:00 and 21:00. Because of his unique style of presenting, Razz Matazz earned countless nicknames, which include Tshiendahongolo, Munyai Mukalanga, Vhafunzi Vho-Josefa and Mukukulume wa South Africa.

Mirror tracked Razz Matazz and found him at his Shayandima home. His first words were: "It’s tough my boy! Munwe na munwe u do vhona nga zwawe (You will experience the same situation in life). I have now joined the long queue of the unemployed." Asked what happened to cause his sudden disappearance from the waves, the visibly troubled and concerned veteran announcer said: "After listeners demanded my comeback, the SABC offered me a one-year contract, which I signed on April 1, 2006. I did my best and listeners were impressed with my work. I was surprised when I went to compile my next show, when a senior SABC staff member told me without warning that my show had been shifted to Polokwane and it would be presented by another presenter."

Razz Matazz said that, up until today, he had not even been issued with a letter to indicate that his contract was terminated. "I was not even given a chance to say goodbye to my listeners. I believe it was a known fact that if I could tell my listeners that I was going, there would be a great revolution, due to my massive support. It is clear that I was unfairly treated to sideline me from my people."

Asked if he would consider bouncing back if given another chance he said: "I am a servant of the people and I do what the people want. There is still much in me and I still want to make a contribution in the South African broadcasting fraternity."

* As a result, Razz Matazz’s supporters have launched the Bring Back Razz Matazz Campaign. A committee, which has already submitted petitions to Phalaphala FM, the office of the Premier and the office of the Limpopo SABC general manager, meets on a regular basis to find out how they can bring Razz Matazz back. Angry callers also expressed their dissatisfaction during the midnight show Khoroni, on Phalaphala FM, last month. Mashudu Mawela of the Bring Back Razz Matazz Campaign said they are making arrangements to see the SABC executives in Auckland Park about the matter.

Contacted for comment, SABC Limpopo general manager Victor Ravhuanzwo referred the matter to the Phalaphala FM Station Manager, Freddy Sadiki, who said: "I am not allowed to comment on issues that will be published in newspapers. We only have one person, Kaizer Kganyago, who has the mandate to do so."

Mirror called Mr Kaizer Kganyago, SABC Head, Group Communication. Unfortunately, his answering machine ordered us to leave a massage. We left a message, but he had not responded at the time of going to press.