trufm Announces truTalent Winners And A New Lineup

trufm, the Eastern Cape’s youth radio station, has revealed the winners of its truTalent competition and unveiled its lineup for the upcoming 2024/2025 season. The announcement took place at the Bluewater Bay Sunrise Hotel during the hotel’s third anniversary celebration. In partnership with Vodacom and the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), trufm conducted a three-month tour across the Eastern Cape to find talented radio presenters and DJs.

Thembalethu Hope Maweni won the Radio Presenter category, Bongumsa Makaba claimed the Sports Presenter category, and Athenkosi Ndzombane emerged as the winner in the DJ category. Each winner will receive a one-year contract with the station, cash prizes, and Vodacom data. Listeners were given the chance to vote for their favourite radio presenter, sports presenter, and DJ. This year saw a significant increase in participation, with 202,371 votes cast, which was a 130% rise from last year’s competition.

Looking ahead to the 2024/2025 season, trufm has revamped and reshuffled its lineup with the addition of fresh and experienced presenters. Award-winning broadcaster Thembela King Booi, joins the station to host the afternoon drive show, truDrive, airing Mondays – Fridays from 3 PM – 6 PM. He will be joined by Sinesipho Booi as the co-host. Sinesipho made her mark as a presenter on the local community radio station, Nkqubela FM, as well as a field presenter for news channel. Sanele Nongauza will remain with the team as the sports presenter.

Mam K, whose presenting responsibilities have extended beyond trufm, will still anchor Hlalani Kum Mna Ndihlale Kuni on Mondays and Tuesdays from 7 PM – 10 PM. On Wednesdays from 7 PM – 10 PM, Onela Sigobelwana, a Christian influencer and former presenter on Kumkani FM, will host a new faith show called Abide in Him. On Thursdays from 19h00 to 22h00, Abongile Mangala will host a gospel show called Thirst For Life.

Talented TV and Radio presenter Samora Mangesi will host truHits from 9 PM – 12 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Luzuko “Kemp” Qoba will host the trufm Top 30 on Saturdays from 9 AM – 12 PM. Kemp has 10 years of experience in radio and cut his teeth on Nkqubela FM as well as Bay FM.

Siya Citwa, who started his radio career at Rhodes Music Radio before moving to Bay FM and finally Algoa FM, will host two new shows over the weekend: The Urban Playground on Saturdays from 12 PM – 3 PM and Sunday Cruise on Sundays from 3 PM – 5 PM. AJ Mclean returns to host a new music show called Choose Yourself on Sundays from 12 PM – 3 PM, and former truTalent winner, Ntombozuko Balintulo, will host The Last Round also on Sundays from 6 PM – 9 PM.

 

trufm’s announcement of the truTalent winners and the new lineup for the 2024-2025 season marks an exciting chapter for trufm. With fresh talents and seasoned presenters, trufm continues to demonstrate its unwavering dedication of providing quality entertainment and staying true to its commitment as the voice of our region’s youth.

Loyiso Bala, SABC EC Combo’s Business

The full lineup