Y has revealed that Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida will join its Sunday schedule from 1 November 2026, expanding the pan-African music show’s radio syndication network to South Africa.
The programme will air every Sunday at 1pm on Y’s FM stations and digital platforms, adding another South African broadcast partner to Africa Now’s mix of music discovery and artist conversations.
The show, which launched in 2020, features interviews with rising and established African stars, plus its weekly “Big 5” new track picks. Previous guests include Rema, Tyla, Ayra Starr, TxC, BNXN, Nasty C and Angélique Kidjo. Africa Now Radio spans amapiano, Afrobeats, hip-hop, house and highlife sounds, with highlights from amapiano scene veterans and up-and-coming Afro-house producers and singers.
For Y, the deal provides a pan-African-flavoured music programme to complement its existing offerings. The station, previously YFM, has made its name on South Africa’s youth culture and music scene. By adding Africa Now Radio to its Sunday line-up, it gives listeners a show that both discovers and unites different African sounds.
“Y has played an important role in shaping South Africa’s youth culture, music and sound over the years,” said Nandi Madida, host of Africa Now Radio. “It is an absolute honour to add to their legacy. I cannot wait to share amazing sounds and stories coming out of this beautiful continent.”
Y Managing Director Haseena Cassim added that the partnership fits in with the station’s mission to connect young South Africans with music and cultural movements across Africa. She also pointed to the value for African artists and their stories being shared at home and internationally.
A growing radio network for African music
The Y partnership means Africa Now Radio has extended its syndication network to South Africa, joining Nigeria’s Cool FM and YFM Ghana. The show’s weekly cover star interview segments air on The NATIVE Mag.
The deal demonstrates the flexibility of music programming across different platforms. A franchise such as Africa Now Radio can build momentum on one channel, in this case, Apple Music Radio, before partnering with radio stations and publishers to reach new audiences. Each platform provides an additional opportunity for fans to discover the show’s music and artists.
That is a particular strength in the current music environment, where artists collaborate across borders and genres flow beyond their source regions. Radio syndication can be an effective way to cut through the noise, offering listeners a familiar entry point to discover new sounds.
This is especially the case for South African fans, who can hear Africa Now Radio on their local station.
Y’s audience has also expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. Rapper Focalistic called it a “platform that gives African music a voice on a global stage”, while producer De Mthuda cited its focus on amapiano and other African genres. Kwesta, Cassper Nyovest and Sun-El Musician also commented on the importance of opportunities for African artists to share and promote their work.
The partnership alone does not provide specific figures for potential new audiences or opportunities for artists. It does create a wider broadcast footprint for a show dedicated to African music and its creators.
Where to listen
Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida airs on Y every Sunday at 1pm from 1 November 2026. Listeners can tune in at FM 99.2, the YWorld app, yworld.co.za, OpenView HD and DStv Channel 859.
The show is also available on Apple Music.
