By Lindsey Kin
With radio being broadcast in all 11 official languages of our country, as well as in Portuguese, German, Hindi and Koi-San, MTN saw it appropriate to expand the categories for the 2011 awards in order to better represent South Africa. “We are proud to be part of this initiative for yet another year, which recognises and celebrates our indigenous languages and also, grassroots development in the industry,” commented Natasha Basson, Senior Manager of Brand Strategy and Media Planning at MTN.
Proceedings began with a montage of radio snippets from before the TV was invented until present day - I was amazed to hear how drastically this medium has changed over the years, from the songs that were used, to the way the news was read, as well as the adverts and stories one could listen to before the TV was invented. The changes are endless, transforming radio into a medium that has come a long way since its inception.
For the
2011 MTN Radio Awards, CEO of Opportun(at)e and awards co-chairman, Lance Rothschild, said: “This year, we have assembled a highly respected panel of judges from diverse professions.” Judges included Andrew Human, CEO of the
Loerie Awards; Andy Rice, Chairman of Yellowwood Brand Architects; Gordon Muller of GSM Quadrant; Professor Franz Kruger of the Wits Radio Academy; and Tim Modise, CEO of Sizwe Africa, among others.
This year’s awards saw
Talk Radio 702 take top honours with eight awards, including a second consecutive win of one of the top accolades,
MTN Radio Station of the Year. John Robbie walked away with
Best Breakfast Show Presenter; Bruce Whitfield scooped
Best Business and Finance Presenter; ‘Talk @6’ walked away
Best Business Show;
Best News and Actuality Presenter was awarded to
567 Cape Talk and
Radio 702’s Chris Gibbons;
Best News Bulletin Reader went to Stephen Grootes; Cindy Poluta was presented with the award of
Best Sports Presenter; and Aki Anastasiou walked away with
Best Traffic Presenter.
Issie Kirsh, who is the mastermind behind the creation of South Africa’s first talk radio station,
702 Talk Radio, was presented with the top accolade, the
Lifetime Achievement Award. Kirsh said that he is “terribly proud” of what 702 Talk Radio has achieved, however, it was not all because of him. “We have had some incredible people on board, such as Rina Broomberg, John Berks and Stan Katz, who were all instrumental in the creation of the talk radio format.” He added: “Terry Volkwyn, the architect behind Lead SA, continues to drive the company with her keen understanding of what radio is all about.”
“The
Station of the Year is the jewel crown of the
MTN Radio Awards, and selecting
Talk Radio 702 as the best among the cream of local talent was no easy task,” commented Rothschild. “
Talk Radio 702 has ably demonstrated the valuable role it plays in the listeners’ community as a real and necessary part of their lives. Its programming continues to push the envelope and challenge convention, while never losing sight of the fact that radio is an entertainment medium and a vehicle to serve advertisers,” explained Jeremy Maggs,
MTN Radio Awards Creator and Director of Future Publishing.
In the non-commercial or community radio station segment,
Radio Islam took top honours and walked away with three awards, including the prestigious accolade of
MTN Community Radio Station of the Year; the
My Station Award, an award created for the community to vote for their favourite non-commercial radio station; and ‘Butterfly Corner’ scooped the award for
Best Daytime Show (Non-commercial). According to the
2011 ON AIR Radio Industry review,
Radio Islam is not only an excellent example of community radio, it is also an excellent example of how good radio can be made. “With an intimate understanding of its listeners, and an understanding of the role that it can play in fulfilling the information, entertainment, education and cultural needs of this community,
Radio Islam fills a much-needed role in the lives of these listeners.”
Primedia’s
94.7 Highveld Stereo was awarded
Best Music Show for its ‘Home Brew Show’ – this award was shared with
94.5 KFM - and according to the judges, “The exceptional packaging employed by
94.7 Highveld Stereo serves the greater function of enhancing its brand,” ultimately leading the station to walk away with
Best On Air Packaging for the leveraging of the FIFA Word Cup.
Jacaranda 94.2 also took top honours, with the ‘Just Plain Breakfast Show’ walking away with the title of
Best Breakfast Show, while William Scott was named
Best Content Producer, who the judges all agreed is “one hard-working individual”.
5FM took home the awards for
Best Daytime Presenter, awarded to Thato ‘DJ Fresh’ Sikwane, with the station’s Rob Vember scooping the
Best Night-Time Presenter Award.
Kaya FM 95.9 also represented strongly at this year’s awards, scooping
Best News and Actuality Show for its ‘Today with John Perlman’ show and
Best Music Presenter, awarded to T-Bose. Commented the judges: “It is clear that T-Bose has a lot if fun on-air and has the ability to speak knowledgeably across a variety of topics… and has a show that is entertaining, engaging and well-paced.”
Other awards for the evening included:
Radio 2000’s ‘The Super Fantastic Show’ presented with
Best Breakfast Show (Non-commercial);
Best Content Producer (Non-commercial) was awarded to
Ukhozi FM’s Zandile Tembe;
Good Hope FM scooped
Best Daytime Show for the ‘Guy McDonald Afternoon Drive Show’;
Best Drama Programme was presented to
SA FM’s ‘No Place for You’;
Best News and Actuality Producer went to Anisa Ussuph from
East Coast Radio;
Best Night-time Show was awarded to
Gagasi 99.5 FM’s ‘The Dr Eve Show’, while
Radio Riverside 98.2 FM’s ‘Langarm and Nama Show’ walked away with the award for
Best Night-time Show (Non-commercial);
Thobela FM’s Masedi Simon Ramafalo, was named
Best Sports Commentator; and
Best Sports Show was awarded to
Metro FM’s ‘Discovery Sports Centre’ show.
The evening also saw Primedia Broadcasting take home two accolades for its ‘United we shall stand for Bafana Bafana’ project winning
Best Community Project and
Best Promotion/ Stunt/ Event; while
East Coast Radio’s ‘VIP Treasure Hunt’ promotion was named
Best Community Project and
Best Promotion/ Stunt/ Event (Non-commercial).
Nontokozo Ngcobo was awarded with the accolade of
MTN Radio Awards Bursary Winner. The award is aimed at building talent within the radio industry, allowing the chosen individual, who otherwise would not be able to afford the course, to complete the advanced Radio Certificate programme offered at Wits University. “This will open a new world to me, as well as to my heart’s desire,” commented Ngcobo on her accolade. “It has always been my dream to be in the radio industry, specifically kids’ programmes, as well as motivational and business programmes. I take being on radio as a community service at high level,” she explained.
The
Young Achiever Award, which recognises any individual under the age of 35 making waves in the radio industry, was presented to
Gagasi 99.5 FM’s Smangele Mbatha. Says her Station Manager, Patrick Bogatsu: “Mbatha has a daring personality and is fearless in her quest to promote the station. She works alongside talented individuals with enthusiasm, commitment and passion, all the while displaying a high degree of professionalism.”
And last, but certainly not least by a long shot, radio heavy weights, Alexius Buthelezi, Max Mojapelo, Fanus Rautenbach, Ismail Variava, Shado Twala, Tim Modise, Eric Eagan, Koos Radebe and Alex Jay, were all honoured by being introduced into the
2011 Hall of Fame.
“Radio still plays a vital role in the lives of the South African population and continues to be the medium with the largest reach. In May, groundwork will commence for the 2012 awards, and we believe that we will be able to deliver an even more competitive event – until 2012 when we will be louder yet,” concluded Rothschild and co-chair David Mashabela.