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Expanding media skills for Unisa Radio

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Unisa Radio team and industry guest speakers

On 10 October 2025, Unisa Radio hosted a mentorship workshop with award-winning content producers from mainstream radio, such as Metro FM, Radio 702 and Power FM, aimed at fostering productivity among the university’s radio employees.

This initiative will take place quarterly to improve employee media skills and knowledge, and to boost morale and satisfaction, further ensuring enhanced overall commitment. Consequently, this empowers Unisa Radio to adapt to industry changes, and demonstrates the university’s effort to foster employee growth and a conductive work environment.

The workshop was organised to revive the radio’s programming, to provide a university‑level forum for current affairs and to help develop talent.

In her presentation, Baphelile Sambo, Producer of Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa on Radio 702, detailed how production works in a highly competitive commercial radio space. "To become a successful content producer, it is very important to understand what radio production entails," she said.

Sambo also focused on collecting stories, pitching to the show’s team and scripting for broadcasting. She also emphasised the importance of verifying facts to ensure accurate reporting.

TammyT Marada, a renowned Sports Producer of Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube on Metro FM, shared his journey in the industry. His story is one of resilience and determination, as he started as a volunteer at a community radio station until his work spoke for him and attracted bigger platforms.

Marada’s story continues to shape his vision and path in the media industry, which has led to him collecting several awards. He affirmed: "The multiple awards that I have won in my career are a sign that I am on the right path, and reassure each of you in this workshop that it is possible if you put your mind to it."

Through his love for storytelling in sports, Marada has successfully broken stories and touched lives. He encouraged attendees to become resilient and work hard, so that their work does not go unnoticed.

Speaking on following dreams and aspirations, Thabo Mnqamane, Producer of Power Talk with Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi on Power FM, stated that his aspiration to study journalism midway through another qualification, resulted in him discontinuing his then qualification to pursue journalism at the University of Johannesburg. Mnqamane emphasised the importance of being reliable and memorable in the radio industry while clinging onto opportunities, and prioritising knowledge expansion on current affairs and matters of national interest.

The workshop was also graced by popular duo, Anele Matshisi, Social Commentator, and Cathy Mphirima (affectionately known as Couch Cathy), Life Coach. They shared their concepts of life, such as dreaming big in small places and developing a global mindset while at the local level.

For Matshisi, surviving in the radio industry is enabled by mentorship and a lot of learning. Additionally, Mphirima highlighted the importance of being authentic and delivering only the best in every craft.

Key takeaways from the workshop include the importance of having a solid contact book, being creative and thinking out of the box, producing quality work, verifying facts and creating one's own radio production system.

In closing, Unisa Radio’s Programmes Manager, Tumelo Makgoara, reiterated that these workshops are a crucial investment that leads to higher quality work, increased efficiency and better overall business performance. 

"My mandate as the Programmes Manager is to implement stringent measures that will strategically position the station as a competitive voice of the voiceless, and to be a force in the talk radio space," concluded Makgoara.

* Katlego Marema, Volunteer Content Producer, Unisa Radio

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Publish date: 2025-10-14 00:00:00.0

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