Johannesburg - Monday, 01 June 2020 - The SABC’s four radio stations, Ukhozi Fm,
Umhlobo Wenene Fm, Lesedi Fm and Thobela Fm are celebrating 60 years of excellence in
broadcasting since their inception today. All four radio stations have successfully served the
different African language groups and each has secured a spot in the top 10 of South
Africa’s most popular radio stations.
Due to the effects of COVID-19 and the national lockdown regulations in place, all the
stations will confine their celebrations to on-air activities this year by reminiscing on each
station’s yesteryears and giving away massive prizes to their respective listeners.
Ukhozi fm, South Africa’s biggest radio station celebrates 60 years since K.E. Masinga
hosted his first broadcast on 1 June 1960. In celebrating its 60th year of broadcasting, the
station will be embarking on a campaign called ‘Six Eras of Ukhozi fm”. Each show will focus
on a different era in the station’s existence from music, historic moments/movements and
fashion, through to popular television programmes. The line-up-will kickstart with Isidlo
Sasekuseni (06h30 – 09h00), which will take listeners back to the 1960s. Jabulújule (09h00
– 12h00) will look at the 70s; 1223 Café (12h00 – 15h00) will explore the best of the 80s;
Sisonke Drive (15h00 – 18h00) the 90s. The popular evening show, Sithakela Isizwe (20h00
– 23h00) will look at the 2000s and Akulalwa (23h00 – 02h00) the 2010s to present day. The
day will also feature past radio moments that make up part of Ukhozi fm’s history with many
surprise giveaways throughout the day.
The station will also run an SMS campaign where listeners will need to SMS “Ukhozi fm
60”to 33665 (smses charged at R1.50) to stand a chance of winning R60 000. The winner
will be announced after 60 days on 30 July 2020.
Umhlobo Wenene Fm, the second biggest radio station in South African with 5. 8 million
listeners will celebrate 60 years of broadcasting by giving away lucrative prizes on air every
month throughout the year including R60 000 prize. This is the station’s gesture of gratitude
for its listeners for supporting the station throughout the journey of success in the world of
broadcasting.
Lesedi Fm, the number four in the top ten national favourite radio stations and number one
in the Free State Province, is also celebrating 60 years of broadcasting. As part of its 60th
celebration, Lesedi Fm will embark on various activities to celebrate this major milestone by
pairing old talent with the current talent for various programmes. These activities include
taking the station's listeners down memory lane. The station will be giving away R60 000
cash and R6 000 worth of data to listeners throughout the month of June.
Thobela Fm will celebrate its station’s 60th year of broadcasting by taking listeners on a time
travel journey from 1960 to 2020 through music, informative content. Listeners must look
forward to exciting campaigns such as online talk show hosted by well-known comedians to
spice-up the celebration. Listeners are encouraged to tune into Thobela Fm and stand a
chance to walk away with R6 000.00.
SABC Group Executive for Radio, Ms. Nada Wotshela stated that “Most of our radio stations
were established during a difficult period in our country’s history, to service and meet the
language and cultural needs of our people at the time. But these stations went beyond that
and inspired black people to see beyond their bleak circumstances. Today, our stations
operate in highly competitive environment and offer programming that is authentic and
audience centric, with quality content at the fore front”.
Ms. Wotshela concluded that “Looking back, we also pride ourselves as South Africa's talent
hub and the home of today and yesterday’s best radio personalities. Many top radio
personalities started their careers and were groomed at the SABC. Some of these
personalities have contributed tremendously to the industry and have taken on various
leadership roles”.
ENDS
Issued By: Group Communications
Media Enquiries: Mmoni Seapolelo (Acting Spokesperson)
seapolelomv@sabc.co.za | T. 011 714 3057 |C. 073 688 1590
