MIDDELBURG – Middelburg community radio station, Greater Middelburg FM (GMFM), is preparing to return to the airwaves very soon.
The station has announced its official reopening under new management.
On Saturday, March 22, GMFM held auditions in search of passionate and talented individuals from within the Steve Tshwete jurisdiction to form part of its line-up.
A total of 122 participants were interviewed for various roles, including radio and sports presenters, newsreaders, and voice-over artists.
The station, still operating under its previous tagline, “The Pulse of the Community”, and on the 89.7 MHz frequency, will broadcast from the old post office building in Mhluzi, just a stone’s throw from the HEDC building it previously used.
GMFM went off air in 2019 after tensions between presenters and management spiralled out of control, resulting in its closure and the subsequent cancellation of its broadcasting licence by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
Wisdom Masango, Media and Communications Officer, told Highveld Chronicle that the new management team comprises dedicated individuals prioritising professionalism, transparency, and accountability.
Masango further explained that their hard work led to the successful reapplication and approval of the broadcasting licence by the regulator.
“We did receive the licence from ICASA,” he said.
“GMFM has always been more than just a radio station. It has been a platform for community voices, empowerment, and positive change. Our new leadership is committed to restoring and elevating GMFM to its rightful place as ‘The Pulse of the Community’,” he added.
He said the station’s vision is to ensure inclusive content and programming.
“We don’t want to leave anyone behind. We are targeting different people from different ethnicities and backgrounds. We are looking for presenters who speak Afrikaans, English, isiZulu, isiNdebele, siSwati, and Sepedi,” Masango said.
He confirmed that 122 individuals were interviewed during the auditions, adding that every participant was given a fair and equal opportunity.
“Our team remains committed to a transparent and unbiased selection process,” he said.
“The selection process will be followed by training, which will take place over the next three weeks. We are currently in negotiations with electronic media SETAs to facilitate the training,” he added.
He also warned that the new management will not tolerate any misconduct or unnecessary disruptions to the broadcast.
The station will use an FM transmitter with a 50-kilometre broadcast radius.
“We have already started with the commissioning of the transmitter. We’ll be on air before the end of this month. But we’ll start playing music before going full-time,” he said.
