By Sandile Mahlangu

The South African Radio Awards 2023 nominations are out, and the radio station on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU), PUKfm, bagged four nominations.

The categories for which the campus radio station was nominated (under the campus radio stations category) are Best Breakfast Presenter – Katlego Mahlangu; Best Weekend Radio Show – The Ultimate Turnup; Best Daytime Show – Flashback Fridays; and what the station manager, Katlego Nkwe, considers to be the big one, Campus Radio Station of the Year.

The station manager also said that the nominations are pivotal to them, as it is evident that the station is competitive on a national scale.

“These nominations serve as a reminder that, as a station, we are on the right track. They also demonstrate that the university is a big player when it comes to campus stations.”

Katlego Mahlangu, who is a presenter and a nominee for the best breakfast show presenter, said that the nomination was a shock to her, as she had not expected it.

“I received the news while I was trying to wake up and start my day. I thought I was still dreaming, or that my brain was still half asleep,” she said.

Katlego added that she always thinks about how she sounds when she is on air, but the nomination helped to remove the little doubts she had and to solidify her career within the broadcasting space.

Khanyisile Mahlangu, who is the presenter of The Ultimate Turnup, said that after her previous nomination in 2022, she realised that a nomination on its own is a big win.

“We are competing with other big campus radio stations in our country, and having your show selected for the best five is exceptional,” she said.

Barrie Ferreira, whose show was nominated for the best daytime show, said that he hoped the nominations would serve as inspiration to students who want to be part of the station, as the station is not only a South African Radio Awards-nominated station, but an award-winning station too.

The station won the Campus Radio Station of the Year award in 2018, and other shows have also won awards in the past.

Nkwe said he is proud of their air volunteers, and he is also glad that their talents have been recognised once more.

The winners will be announced at the South African Radio Awards gala dinner, which will take place on 2 December 2023.

Barrie Ferreira, whose show, Flashback Fridays, has been nominated for the Best Daytime Show in the campus station category.

Katlego Mahlangu, nominated for Best Breakfast Presenter in the campus station category.

Khanyisile Mahlangu, whose show, The Ultimate Turnup, has been nominated for Best Weekend Radio Show in the campus station category.