Long running 5FM DJ and Supersport presenter Sasha Martinengo announced this morning that he would no longer be working for 5FM. This comes after 17 years as a DJ with the station. Reasons for this have been given by the station as part of their “annual line up change,” although there isn’t really certainty as to what that means. Read the full press release after the jump.

5FM is sad to announce that, after 17 years on air, Sasha Martinengo will be leaving the station at the end of March 2012. The decision comes as part of the station’s annual line-up change, which takes place from 1 April 2012. Explains 5FM’s station manager Aisha Mohamed, “Line-up changes are an unfortunate part of the radio landscape. Every year 5FM, along with the SABC ‘s 17 other radio properties, evaluate their on-air line-up for the year ahead. Sasha will unfortunately not be with us from April onwards. The change comes as part of a long-term strategic plan to revise our on air offering. We are enormously appreciative of Sasha’s incredible work ethic, his dedication to the listeners and his support of the 5FM brand. The station however needs to evolve and change as our listeners do.”

Says Sasha, “Working at 5FM hasn’t just been a job, it’s been my life. I’d like to think I have entertained my listeners over the years. I have had a brilliant time and will miss my 5FM family. Thank you for all the years of fun and support.”

Adds 5FM’s Aisha, “It has been absolutely wonderful working with Sasha. He’s been a huge asset to the 5FM team and we will miss him as an on-air personality and as a team player.”

Martinengo’s last day on air will be the 30th of March. Public reaction hasn’t exactly been favourable, as can be seen by this mock press release by @6000.

With national FM radio numbers falling, and apparently so that they are no longer keeping their top DJs, isn’t it time that you made the switch to South Africa’s number 1 digital radio station, 2oceansviberadio?

[Source: 5FM]