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?MFM 92.6, the Stellenbosch community radio station broadcasting from the Neelsie Student Centre on the campus of Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU), received no less than six nominations in the annual national Telkom Radio Awards.

These nominations are:

Programming between April 2023 and March 2024 could be entered for the awards. The winners will be announced during a gala dinner on Saturday 30 November 2024 in the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

“The Telkom Radio Awards honours outstanding achievements in the South African radio industry and sets a benchmark for all radio stations and professionals to strive towards,” according to the competition’s website.

MFM broadcasts all over the greater Stellenbosch and surrounding winelands on the 92.6 FM frequency and globally through its online streaming platform, seven days a week and 24 hours a day. The station is managed by the SU Division Institutional Strategy, Research and Analytics, situated in the Responsibility Centre: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs at SU.

Steyn du Toit, MFM’s content manager, says this multilingual radio station has been the heartbeat and cornerstone of community broadcasting for the past three decades.

“The station’s enduring success lies in our commitment to serving a young, dynamic and thoughtful audience. Our listeners – primarily between the ages of 16 and 30 – are inquisitive individuals who care deeply about issues such as social justice, equality, and current affairs. They aren’t just passive recipients of information – they seek to engage with, contribute to, and help shape the conversations that matter. This active involvement inspires our programming, which strikes a careful balance between factual content, great music and infotainment,” says Du Toit.

It is MFM’s priority to be relevant and newsworthy, says Du Toit. The station is committed to fostering meaningful dialogue and engagement on topics ranging from current affairs, sports, arts and culture, entertainment, music, science, business, gender-based violence, mental health, to heritage and conservation, politics and entrepreneurship.

“Over the past year, we have featured a wide range of high-profile interviews that reflect our diverse and inclusive ethos. From Grammy-winning artist Eric Bellinger and acclaimed local artist Porchie, to seasoned journalist Ruda Landman, the iconic Natani?l and veteran comedian Casper de Vries – we have brought world-class entertainers and creatives right up to our audience. 

“We have also engaged with influential figures such as Dr Mimmy Gondwe, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, former Miss South Africa Amy Kleynhans, and renowned celebrity chef Rikku ?’Donnchu. These conversations highlight our dedication to showcasing individuals who inspire, inform and resonate with our listeners.

“Our connection to the Stellenbosch community is equally central to what makes MFM special. We have forged meaningful partnerships, including regular slots with the acclaimed Bureau for Economic Research. We interview a variety of experts, researchers and academics from the 肆客足球, but also community leaders and local newsmakers. The School Spot feature, for example, invites local high school learners to host their own shows. 

“Mental health is a key focus, with Dr Ange Nespola, a psychologist based in Stellenbosch, hosting weekly discussions to help navigate a variety of challenges. We also dedicate airtime to local charities and institutions, like CANSA Stellenbosch and Huis Horison, giving them a platform to share their vital work and uplift the community,” says Du Toit.

Since 2022, MFM has trained over 50 new broadcast media practitioners in a structured and intensive training programme. To maintain momentum and growth, new trainees are accepted twice a year, trained, and then mentored on a continuous basis. 

“We take pride in developing young, passionate voices who are committed to excellence and facilitate content that leads to a transformative broadcast experience for everyone,” says Martin de Abreu, program manager in the Division Institutional Strategy, Research and Analytics and acting station manager of MFM.

“The last few years have been a period of significant growth. Our focussed and intense training programme covers the full spectrum of skills required in modern broadcasting. A critical part of our approach is ensuring thorough preparation, research and execution, backed by robust systems and processes. 

“In our day-to-day work, we also emphasise a culture of values-based management and interactions. By encouraging emerging, diverse voices to not only entertain, but also inform and connect with our community, we make sure every broadcast has substance and a transformative effect. The results are already evident as testified through the quality, diversity and calibre of our content, guests, partners and continuous audience engagement.”

De Abreu says the staff’s hard work, over the last few years, is starting to show its rewards and the nominations reflect the progress and success of the station. However, the work to build and solidify is an ongoing initiative and will be continued in the years to come.

“From growing our talented team to increasing listener interaction, MFM strives always to be known for its professionalism, commitment and ability to engage meaningfully with a broad, diverse audience, across the full spectrum of topics, ideas and issues.”

Tune in at 92.6 FM, live stream at https://mfm.co.za/ or follow MFM on Instagram and Facebook.

Source: https://radioawards.co.za/