Making great radio with the Liberty Radio Awards

Umhlobo Wenene FM won the Public Broadcast Station (PBS) category and University of Stellenbosch’s MFM was crowned Campus Station of the Year.

Team Hot 91.9 FM at the Liberty Radio Awards. Image © Times Media.

The awards ceremony was held at the Sandton Convention Centre, in the heart of Liberty country, the “rich mile in Africa”. The radio industry proved the saying “having a face for radio” wrong, as the who’s who in the industry gathered in tuxedos and evening gowns to recognise the best in radio today.

These were Kaya FM’s and Umhlobo Wenene’s second awards in this category respectively, with Kaya FM winning it in 2013 and Umhlobo Wenene in 2014.

Umhlobo Wenene staff thanked their listeners for all their support.

Great content, good advertising opportunities

“The award was unexpected and a surprise, although we felt in our hearts that we had a good chance because we have worked hard to create some exciting programmes and to really understand what our audiences want from us: to provide them with great content that talks about the things they want, while also creating good opportunities for advertisers,” says Greg Maloka, MD of Kaya FM.

MD and founder of Hot 91.9 FM, Lloyd Madurai, says their success is because of a passion for radio and a love for what they do. “We are a bunch of people having fun because we love what we do and we will continue to do that, remaining humble and growing from strength to strength, and give back to the community we serve, through our radio academy and other means.”

Hot 91.9FM turns up the heat on Joburg's community radio offering

Leigh Andrews  14 Oct 2014

The other big winners on the night were Power FM, collecting six awards; and Primedia Broadcasting, which won six awards for its stations KFM, 702 and 94.7 as well as EWN.

The event signalled a return of the Awards for the industry, which did not take place last year. CEO of the Awards, Lance Rothschild, expressed his delight at having the radio awards back. “The response was the industry to the return of the Awards was so affirming – with over 1,700 entries from all four tiers of radio from across the country.”

Jeff Hubbard, acting CEO of Liberty Corporate, says they are proud to support the Awards. “Radio has been in this country for nearly 100 years and is stronger than ever before, so it is fitting to honour its stars who entertain us every day.”

“Radio is a powerful message that change’s people’s lives. It reaches the length and breadth of our society and country. It is a medium that allows us to deliver a message and forge a better relationship with the listener as we make radio great,” concluded Sydney Mbhele, Liberty’s CMO at the event.

Heroes of the theatre of the mind

Danette Breitenbach  24 Apr 2017

All the 2017 Liberty Radio Award winners