The Telkom Radio Awards celebrated its 15th year in 2025, confirming its status as a powerhouse of broadcasting excellence. On Saturday 6 December, the industry’s most influential voices gathered at the Sandton Convention Centre for a night of pride, recognition, and celebration.
NWU FM’s daytime show “Brunch Vibes” emerged victorious in its category and this win underscores the station’s ability to connect deeply with listeners by delivering youthful, fresh, and relevant content. It also demonstrated NWU FM’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in student-driven broadcasting.
For presenter Tsholofelo Moruapheko, the announcement came as a thrilling surprise. “We worked so hard to bring a fresh vibe to the show, blending local stories, real talk, and music,” she said. “Thank you to our best manager, Mr Kamo Ledwaba-Moadi, for his guidance.”
Station Manager Mr Kamo Ledwaba said NWU FM has a series of skills development workshops that validates this recognition.
“This award is proof that we are doing something right. It confirms the strategic direction we as NWU FM has taken in producing positive results.”
Moruapheko emphasised the shows commitment to authenticity. “We don’t shy away from tough conversations; whether it’s unpacking a trending topic, celebrating a quirky holiday, or interacting with listeners. We aim to be relatable and genuine”
Moruapheko’s ability to mix content with purposeful conversations continues to create a space that is both entertaining and affirming. Her go-to phrase “re phela tlase ga mmuso wa ga Ntate Ramaphosa,” keeps listeners updated on what is happening around the world. “I draw a lot from listeners too, as I usually say ‘re batho ka lona.’ Their messages, struggles and wins keeps me grounded and reminds me that we are all in this together.”
Co-presenter Shantel Mahwiliri praised the amicable production team. “We are like big family. The support we give each other is amazing,” she shared. “I strive to keep it fun and real on air by sharing personal experiences and staying tuned into what matters to our listeners.”
She added a message to the audience: “Thank you for the support. This win is for you. We are honoured to be your voice. Keep vibing with us, and let us keep the good energy going.”
Karabo Motswanedi, who also contributed immensely to this recognition as a former presenter, expressed humility and gratitude.
“I am truly humbled, and I want to thank everyone for tunning in and supporting NWU FM. Radio gave me a platform to highlight that I am a big talker in real life. With proper research and the right delivery, I could motivate, entertain, or educate a listener.”
This award shines a light to the dedicated work of the stations production team and its strategic growth in recent years. It marks a historic milestone, the station’s first Telkom Radio Awards nomination and now its first win, highlighting its culture of excellence.
“We are extremely proud. We hope this award opens more doors for our NWU FM talents. My wish is for all my presenters to find success in radio. They are here to hone their skills and master their crafts to be industry ready. I thank them for putting their faith in me and trusting the process. Now they see the result,” concluded Ledwaba-Moadi.
