First Ever Radio Awards Launched
Spira Tlhankane | Monday June 12, 2017 15:16
The inaugural awards sponsored by Virgin Brew are a brainchild of Oratile Jazelle Kebakile and Tammi McAllister and will be held on October 28, 2017. The awards will have five categories namely; best radio station, best presenter, best newsreader, best sports reader, best show and lifetime achievement award.
The nominations for the various categories will be accepted from all the radio stations in Botswana. The public will be allowed the opportunity to vote through short message service (sms) for their favourite presenter, newsreader, sports reader and show and radio station. The public’s vote contributes 60% while a panel of judges will contribute 40%.
The project coordinator told the media that the awards are meant to celebrate radio. “Our creative industries are powered by fresh thinkers and innovators that can make a real impact in the economy if given the necessary support system. It is therefore crucial that we encourage talent to seek out careers in the creative industries and that we develop platforms to award outstanding performance,” said McAllister of the Good Radio Awards. She said besides the awards they will also host a seminar where they will invite international experts in the industry and also conduct a radio competition for high school students. “The Dira radio competition will cultivate innovation and the students are required to build a fully functional radio,” she said.
For his part a representative from Yarona FM one Godfrey said the public have to appreciate the good work that comes from radio. “We need to talk about accolades. We have to appreciate the great work ethic,” he said. He added that they also have to appreciate people who work behind the scenes to make radio happen. “We start young and we grow. There are people who have been on radio for a very long time and are still relevant,” he said.
Gabz FM rep Mimi told the media that some pioneers of private radio like Luzboy, Robbie Rob and others made radio magical at the time and were responsible for making the voices of various artists. “With radio we wouldn’t have had these legends. They taught us that it was ok to be yourself,” she highlighted. She said radio is not easy because she has to open up to people everyday and they can either hate or love you. She said radio presenters touch people through radio and therefore the pubic should acknowledge their presence and the work they do.
VIB mobile public relations and marketing officer, Palesa Makoti said they decided to sponsor the awards because it is something they want to be part of. “We will sponsor the sms line and the voting lines open on June 16,” she highlighted. During the press launch, Amantle Brown and Jujuboy performed their song Follo and Torin performed the official song for the awards called Finally.