Durban: Deputy Minister in The Presidency Kenny Morolong has urged Mams FM to continue placing young people at the centre of its programming and development initiatives. This appeal was made during the handover of upgraded, fully digitised broadcast studios to the community radio station in Mamelodi on Friday.
According to South African Government News Agency, the initiative was facilitated by the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) and aimed at strengthening community media, empowering local broadcasters, and improving access to information at the community level. Morolong emphasized the importance of the studio as a training ground for future broadcasters, a platform for young entrepreneurs, and a showcase for artists and creatives.
Morolong highlighted that the upgraded facilities would enhance the station's ability to support the next generation of broadcasters, content creators, and entrepreneurs. He pointed out that community radio often serves as the first opportunity for young people to enter the media and communications sector, offering practical experience in various fields such as broadcasting, journalism, and digital content creation.
Morolong further explained that the skills gained through community radio are crucial for preparing young people to participate meaningfully in the modern economy. Through volunteer programs, internships, and training opportunities, stations like Mams FM become talent incubators, enhancing employability and entrepreneurial prospects for the youth.
He noted that the station's new modern on-air studio, production studio, and power inverter system have significantly improved its operational capacity and resilience, ensuring greater reliability and uninterrupted broadcasting even during power disruptions. These upgrades promise better sound quality and continued access to quality programming for listeners.
Since its inception in April 2011, Mams FM has grown into a trusted community broadcaster, serving as a voice for the people of Mamelodi and the broader Tshwane region. Broadcasting on 92.9 FM, the station has built strong connections with its listeners by reflecting their realities and aspirations through its programming.
Morolong emphasized the station's role in celebrating 'Pitori' culture, local languages, and community life, making it a platform for information, dialogue, education, and empowerment. He stressed the importance of the station in narrating the history of townships from an insider's perspective, highlighting resilience and creativity often overlooked by external narratives.
The Deputy Minister stated that Mams FM helps bridge generational divides and fosters social cohesion by providing a space for inspiration, engagement, and valuing the wisdom of older generations. Mams FM is more than a broadcaster; it is a civic classroom, cultural archive, and meeting place on air, connecting the liberation history of Mamelodi to the present pursuit of jobs, skills, and shared prosperity.