Radio veterans humbled by award induction
@Dispatch_DD TOP Eastern Cape broadcasting veterans, Putco Mafani and Lumko Mtimde have been inducted into the MTN Radio Awards Hall of Fame.
The awards go to those who have left an indelible mark in the industry.
The two announced this week were among six people to be inducted.
The others include Munadia Karaan (Voice of the Cape), Angie Kapelianis (SA FM), Ian Crewe (Primedia Broadcasting) and Omar Essack (Kagiso Broadcasting).
Mafani and Mtimde said they were humbled to be inducted.
Mafani has been in the broadcasting industry for 16 years and has been an all-rounder, from talk radio to hosting a party time show.
He has worked for Channel Africa, Kaya FM, Radio Xhosa, now known as Umhlobo Wenene FM, and CKI FM.
He is currently a breakfast show host on Umhlobo Wenene FM. He rejoined the station in 2010 after leaving it in the 1990s.
His co-hosts his show, Breakfast Eyondlayo Ekuseni with Pastor Nozewu and Mluleki “Coach” Ntsabo.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Mafani said his love for radio started when he was about eight years old.
“I tried to open the actual radio because I was curious about the people who were speaking so nicely and from there I developed a passion for speaking,” he said.
His first show was in 1987 at Radio Ciskei as a breakfast show host.
Mafani also worked for Kaizer Chiefs but he said radio remained his first love even during the years away from radio.
“I am truly grateful to be recognised and at the same time this puts pressure on me because I need to always be on top of my game,” he said.
Mtimde’s journey in broadcasting started when he was a student at the University of Western Cape.
He was behind the transformation of the then UWC campus radio to a community radio.
Through this connection he served as a vice-president of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters and was also the president of the African Community Radio Broadcasters.
Mtimde also served as a general manager at the Department of Communications. In 2002, he was appointed by President Thabo Mbeki as a councillor to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.
He has also served as a member of the board at SABC and currently serves as the chief executive of the Media Development and Diversity Agency.
MTN chief marketing officer Brian Gouldie said the recognition of individuals by the Hall of Fame was important in encouraging young talent and recognising those whose work had had a profound impact on the industry. The MTN Radio Awards for which Umhlobo Wenene has received more than 10 nominations take place at a gala banquet at the Sandton Convention Centre on April 12. —