HOT 102.7FM was named the winner in three categories.
The station won in the 2023 National Small Business Champion and National Community Award categories. HOT 102.7FM founder and managing director Lloyd Madurai was honoured as South Africa's National Entrepreneur Champion.
The National Community Award has acknowledged the work done by the station's HOT Cares initiative and HOT 102.7FM’s HOT Radio Academy, which provides free radio training to deserving applicants and is the station's commitment to the industry. This is with the goal of providing radio training to students to expand the skills and knowledge base within the industry.
"HOT 102.7FM prides itself on being a champion of small business in South Africa, so to be honoured by the NSBC means an incredible amount," says Madurai. "It's not easy being a small business in South Africa, and the past two years have been tough; but the fact that the station is thriving just two years after launch and, as a business, we're being acknowledged on a national platform, is a nice reminder that we're on the right track."
The NSBC is a non-profit membership organisation established in 2007, and its purpose is to "foster the sustainability and growth of the SME sector, driving job creation, alleviating unemployment and nurturing the country's entrepreneurial spirit. The NSBC is committed to helping SMEs to grow, learn, network, connect, be inspired, succeed and have fun."
The organisation has 156 000 members across South Africa, with a focus on businesses with up to 250 employees.
"It's the first time in the NSBC's 16-year history that a single company has won so many awards," says Mike Anderson, founder and CEO of the National Small Business Chamber. "Huge congratulations. Your journey is impressive, and it's no surprise that you're the fastest-growing radio station in South Africa."
"We're a small — but effective — team," said Madurai. "When we launched, we set out to make our mark and take on the established players in the market by playing the best 'Old Skool' and R&B music, with the best presenters, and with the goal of having the most fun possible."
"We've done that, and these awards are just confirmation that HOT 102.7FM is also now an established player and able to deliver a tangible return on investment for its commercial partners," Madurai adds.
The station says that this follows HOT 102.7FM being named Best Local Radio Station at the Best of Joburg Readers' Choice Awards, along with HOT 1027 Breakfast winning the Best Radio Show category.
The station also closed October by blowing past its target and raising R19.4-million in just 12 and a half hours at its annual Teddython HOT Cares charity fundraiser.
HOT 102.7FM concludes that it will be looking to add to its awards tally on the second of December when the SA Radio Awards take place in Johannesburg.
For more information, visit www.hot1027.co.za. You can also follow HOT 102.7FM on Facebook, X or on Instagram.