SABC recognizes its Sepedi radio station, Thobela FM this September. Thobela FM started in 1960 as Radio Bantu, which characterized all the marginalized ethnic groups of the time. It was then called Radio Lebowa in 1962, reflecting the name of the former homeland – Lebowa. Some of the station popular programmes during that era included Sebokuboku, Tate Sekwakwalala, Tla Moya, Nteletse, Baithuti Kgothekgothe, and Na molao o reng? The station commanded over six million listeners at that time. It was also known for its compelling radio dramas, including the radio turned TV show, ‘Di million tsa kiriri’.

The station then inherited its present name, Thobela FM “Mošito o tšwela pele” In 1998 after the democratic dispensation in order to adjust itself with the millennial developments. For the previous decades of its existence, Thobela FM has been one of the best radio stations in South Africa, and number one preferred radio station in the Limpopo Province. The station now enjoys listenership of over 3 million in South Africa and abroad.

In 2014, the station embarked on a new station imaging, changing its slogan to “Mošate Wa Tsebo Le Boithabišo“, which led to winning various accolades including being named “The Best Radio Station“ at the South African Radio Awards.

By participating in the SABC Competitions, each entrant agrees to the following terms and conditions:

This Competition is open to ALL South Africans

6. This Competition comprises of Giveaway Prizes, where entrants stand a chance to each win a giveaway during or after the duration of the Competition campaign.
7. For an entrant to be declared a Winner in this Competition, they would have been the first one to correctly answer the question or questions posed by the SABC on a relevant day the question or questions is/are posed on each of the social media platforms of the SABC (Website).
8. Entrants must enter the Competition by following the SABC’s account @sabcportal on SABC social media platforms: Twitter: @sabcportal IG; @sabcportal FB: @sabcportal and to look out for the clues for the Competition on the website.
9. The deadline for each category of the Competition will be on the date that the Competition category will run on the above digital platforms of the SABC
10. Winners in this Competition will be announced by the SABC at the end of the Competition on the above social media platforms and Winners will also be directly contacted by the SABC via email.
11. The SABC will endeavor to notify all the Winners by end of the month of the competition or within a week after the date of the run of the Competition.
12. If a Winner does not respond to SABC’s notification close of business 5 days after the notification, the SABC reserves the right to withdraw prize entitlement and the prize will be Upon prize forfeiture, no compensation will be given.
13. Each Winner of the Competition can select to have the Prize either delivered to the Winner’s chosen address or delivered as per arrangements made with a Winner for the collection of the Prize. A form of identification will be required from the Winner collecting the Giveaway
14. A winner in this Competition consents to the SABC interviewing them live or otherwise on SABC platforms and to the SABC broadcasting the interview audio clip/voice note or video on different SABC platforms.
15. No other alternative is available for the Giveaway Prizes in this Competition.
16. The Giveaway Prizes are therefore non-exchangeable, non-transferable, and are not redeemable for cash or other prizes. The prize may not be claimed by a third party on behalf of a Winner.
17. Notwithstanding anything in these Terms and Conditions, the SABC reserves the right at any time in its absolute discretion to a) reject any wrong answers; b) amend any of the Competition terms and conditions without prior notice; c) block participants on SABC platforms if the SABC finds their submission offensive, obscene or not in line with the goals of this competition or SABC broadcast
18. In the event of any dispute regarding these Terms and Conditions and/or the results thereof and all other matters relating to the Competition, the decision of SABC shall be final and no correspondence or discussions shall be entertained by the SABC.
19. The SABC does not accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, liability injury, or disappointment incurred or suffered by any entrant/winner in connection with their participation in this Competition. The SABC further disclaims liability for any injury or damage to any entrant/winner’s or any other person’s device relating to or resulting from participating in or downloading any material in connection with the
20. The SABC shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations in terms of this Competition where such failure is caused by something outside its Such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, pandemics, outbreaks, weather conditions, fire, flood, hurricane, strike, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, inevitable accidents, supervening legislation, or any other circumstances amounting to force majeure.
21. Each Entrant and/or Winner agrees to the SABC making their names and all entries/user-generated content/ audio clips/voice notes or video made available for this Competition in the SABC’s publications and/or on its websites and any other media, whether now known or invented in the future.
22. If one or more conditions of these Terms and Conditions are void and/or invalid, this will not affect the validity of the remaining Terms and Conditions and/or any other specific terms for the contest.
23. By entering any this Competition, Each Entrant confirms that they have read and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions and by the decisions of the SABC, which are final in all matters relating to the Competition. Any breach of these terms and conditions will result in the disqualification from the Competition or the forfeiture of the No correspondence will be entered into.

To download the Ts & Cs, click link below.

On Friday, 26 August 2022, the Media Relations team met with two of its key media stakeholders to celebrate their respective nominations for ‘Entertainment Journalist of the Year at the 1^st Annual Basadi in Music Awards, set to take place soon.

The Media Relations Managers in the department, Ms. Mmoni Seapolelo and Ms. Vuyo Mthembu, as well as the Head of Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Ms. Ndileka Cola and engaged Ms. Doreen Molefe, the Digital Entertainment Editor at Daily Sun and Ms. Bambalele, a Senior Arts and Entertainment Reporter at Sowetan on their respective achievement.

Over the years, the Media Relations team has worked well with both media colleagues and celebrating this milestone in their respective careers, was a small token of appreciate for the fair and balanced coverage they have provided on SABC television and Radio programmes, personalities and initiatives.

The SABC Media Relations team wishes them well and hopes that they continue on their trajectory of making a meaningful impact in the media industry.

By: Vuyo Mthembu

The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) only Xitsonga radio station, Munghana Lonene will host the 17th Xitsonga Music awards ceremony on Saturday, 5 November 2022 at Nkowankowa Stadium in Tzaneen. The awards will be preceded by a Gala dinner aimed at increasing the station’s brand awareness and visibility.

The 2022 edition of Xitsonga Music Awards is themed “Vunanga ivutomi” (Music is Life).

More information pertaining to the awards is available on the station’s website www.munghanalonenefm.co.za and on its social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter).

The attached list of nominees can be used to vote in the respective categories by sending an SMS to 45859. Voting closes on 28th October 2022.

Vunanga iVutomi!

Did you know:

Did you know SAfm is the first radio station of SABC?

Did you know that June Dixon was the first Station Manager of SAfm?

Did you know that the first song played on SAfm was Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits?

Did you know that the station has had its current name, SAfm, since 1995?

Did you know that late Vuyo Mbuli was a South African television personality, news presenter at Morning Live and a Presenter of the Morning Talk 09h00-12h00 on SAfm? He was famous for a phrase “I’m nice & you” when greeted by listeners on-air and some listeners used to be infuriated by it, but he insisted on greeting them that way.

Over 20 000 women braved the cold weather on Women’s Day and hit the streets of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, to participate in this year’s edition of Totalsports Women’s Race. This race was supported by SABC’s biggest commercial radio station, METRO FM which partnered with the organizers to benefit the PinkDrive, a Non-Profit Company (NPC), that has a mammoth task of improving breast cancer awareness, education, and providing free services to the medically uninsured across South Africa.

The collaboration between Metro FM and the Total Sport Women’s Race is based on the two powerful brands’ understanding of the importance of reaching out to the larger part of the society, in ensuring that more people are educated and fully equipped with critical and relevant information pertaining to breast cancer.

The station’s Marketing Manager, Ms. Nthabeleng Nhlapo stated that “METRO FM is not only an entertainment brand but a brand that cares about its community at large and continues to seek partnerships with like-minded brands such as Totalsports who aim to contribute to societal goals of a charitable nature. The radio personalities, staff, and management volunteer in social responsibility initiatives to drive awareness and educate our listeners and demonstrate the importance of giving back to those less fortunate.  As a national radio station, we are proud to have the opportunity to support the Totalsports Women’s Race, to promote awareness and assist in driving the message that early detection and screening for gender-related cancers will help prolong a life”.

METRO FM is committed to effectively and positively influencing society’s behavioral change in health-related matters.