EAST LONDON – Algoa FM has renewed its lease agreement with Hemingways Casino, which will continue to house the radio station’s Buffalo City operation.
Further investment into Algoa FM’s East London operation will take the form of technology upgrades and an update to the look and feel of the studio.
“So much more than a contractual relationship, this agreement signifies a renewal of vows between the team at Hemingways and ourselves,” says Algoa FM Managing Director, Alfie Jay.
The radio station has been an anchor tenant at Hemingways since 2011.
The renewal of the lease is part of Algoa FM’s commitment to support economic growth and social cohesion in the region.
“The scope of our footprint and the services we offer to companies of all sizes in the region are broad.
“Our renewed investment into Buffalo City provides our local team with the resources needed to ensure that we can thrive in difficult market conditions and build on our commitment to support economic growth and social cohesion in the region.
“Our planning around this, and the strategies we are rolling out to ensure that we’re addressing these risks, include more emphasis into the region and our brand,” says Jay.
“Our performance in the Eastern Cape and Garden Route reflects the continued investments we have made over time.
“These include the premises we built in Nelson Mandela Bay and the launch of our Garden Route HQ in George, all commissioned with a view to improving service to our stakeholders.”
Algoa FM recently committed to a new ethos in which the value proposition of the business benefits people, including its staff, audience, clients, communities, its shareholders and other stakeholders.
“It’s the most sustainable way to build long-term value,” says Jay.
Aside from the news that Algoa FM will be renewing its vows with Hemingways Casino and that the radio station will be investing in upgrades to its East London operation, Jay also announced the welcomed return of Gordon Graham to the afternoon drive show, effective 4 March 2024.
This follows the departure of Vinny Nogemane earlier this month.
“My family and I have been discussing a return to East London for a while now,” says the former, popular drivetime host, Gordon Graham.
“We’ve spent about nine years in KZN and although it’s been a blast, home is where the heart is and I can’t wait to once again engage with listeners and clients alike,” says Graham.
Reinforcing the station’s commitment to the people in the region, Algoa FM will also be introducing a new show featuring Jeff Moloi, who is also returning to the station. Commencing Sunday, the 3rd of March, Breakfast will be hosted live from Hemingways by the broadcast lecturer from Walter Sisulu University.
“I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with the listeners and my former colleagues,” says Moloi, who some years ago presented the early evening show on the station.
“We are as committed to the eastern half of our broadcast footprint as we are to the west, and the announcements made today, are testimony to our passion for the people of Buffalo City and Algoa Country as a whole,” says Jay.
Participants in the annual Algoa Cares Charity Golf Day in Gqeberha will have the opportunity to witness and challenge blind golfers through a partnership between Algoa Cares and the Nkosinathi Foundation of-and-for Blind and Partially Sighted People.
The foundation has been selected as the beneficiary of the golf day, which will be hosted at the PE Golf Club on Friday, March 1.
“Nkosinathi impressed us with their holistic approach to supporting partially sighted and blind people,” says Algoa FM managing director, Alfie Jay.
“We are particularly excited about our new Low Vision Services project, which will support adults who have, or are in the process of losing their sight,” says Brian Bezuidenhout, Nkosinathi Foundation director.
“At present, there is no further support in our region for a patient who cannot be further assisted by ophthalmologists or opticians.
“This is devastating for the individuals, their families, and their medical practitioners.
“Our new service will provide the support they need to adapt,” he says.
The theme for the 2024 Algoa Cares Charity Golf Day is “Groovy Greens: Rockin’ the ’80s”.
Four-balls and sponsorships can be booked through Algoa Cares on the Algoa FM website.
Image caption: Warren Goeda from Humansdorp practising with his cane outside the Nkosinathi Foundation of-and-for Blind and Partially Sighted People in Gqeberha.
In 2024, OFM, the Sound of Your Life is bringing you so much more by going beyond the airwaves to meet our valued listeners in person and celebrate the diversity that makes each one more than just a number to us.
In February and March, the OFM team will embark on a journey crisscrossing Central South Africa, stopping at key towns from 09:00 to 17:00 during “The Big Radio Registration” campaign.
During these activations, attendees can register as an official OFM listener. After filling out our online questionnaire, everyone will receive a unique code that they can use throughout the year to unlock additional benefits and chances to win on OFM.
Each activation will also award a R2 024 spot prize, while participants will be entered into the draw for the grand prize of R20 024 that will be awarded at the end of March.
Locations earmarked for the tour include Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Klerksdorp, Welkom, Vanderbijlpark, Upington, and Potchefstroom. The list of dates and venues can be seen here: https://bit.ly/BigRadioRegistration.
Anchen Lintvelt, OFM Sales and Marketing Manager says, “We are very excited to travel through the whole of Central South Africa, meet our loyal listeners in person, and to reward those who register as an OFM listener with a unique number that could make them win big! Our partners in each town will also offer amazing deals to our listeners, which will make every Big Radio Registration day worth a visit!”
According to OFM Programme Manager, Tim Thabethe, the brand hits this election year running with this campaign, “OFM launched the New Year with a ‘So Much More’ promise to its audience. The Big Radio Registration is a deeper promise of exactly that. And, this is just the start of it. It is the hope for a better year for all, an ambition led by OFM for both its listeners and clients, which provides another opportunity to surprise and delight audiences and advertisers.”
This campaign is not just about radio; it’s about building bridges and creating meaningful connections with our audience. It’s a chance to be part of something bigger, to connect with OFM and fellow listeners, and to win fantastic prizes along the way.
Generous Garden Route golfers and businesses participating in the second annual Algoa Cares Golf Day helped raise R50 000 towards the purchase of two laptops, software, hygiene supplies and stationery for the Leolan Academy in Mossel Bay.
The school, a Louis57 Foundation project, caters for children with special needs (autism and down-syndrome).
The Algoa Cares Golf Day was a fun carnival themed event on Tuesday, August 1, at the Pinnacle Point Golf Club in Mossel Bay,
“A massive thank you to all those who came out in support of the Leolan Academy after the golf day had to be postponed due to rain,” says Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer.
After the success of the first two Algoa Cares Golf days, the event has established itself as a “must” on the calendar of all Garden Route golfers who want to experience a golf day with a difference.
“In 2024, sponsors will be given the opportunity to interact personally with what we are confident will be a full field of golfers as the event gains momentum.
“I encourage all charities in the area to apply early next year to be considered as our beneficiary,” she says.
Petrie Cronje, chief executive officer of the Louis57 Foundation, says the exposure given to the charity through the golf day has raised the profile of its projects.
“International, national, regional and local exposure of Louis Oosthuizen’s Foundation57 and especially the exposure of our four registered beneficiaries (The Golf Development Programme, Feeding Programme, Leolan Academy, and Kids with Cancer) are very important to us.
“Exposure through Algoa FM and other media assists us greatly in showcasing Foundation57 work and involvement in our communities in an effort to change the lives of children with needs.
“The exposure also assists us in finding new donors and growing our charitable network.”
Algoa FM’s support for the Foundation started about two years ago when the media house participated in the annual Foundation57 / ATKV Charitable golf days in Mossel Bay.
Algoa FM continues to support this year’s event with a LIVE broadcast on 16 December at Pinnacle Point.
“We were very blessed and honoured when Algoa FM nominated us as the beneficiary of their recent golf day at Pinnacle Point.
“The working and friendly relationship between Foundation57 and the Algoa FM Team has already developed into a special relationship.
“We pride ourselves in the association between our brands.
“A huge ‘thank you’ to Algoa Cares for taking hands, not only with Foundation57, but also with other charitable organizations in our Eastern and Western Cape region.
“We all form a strong network in our efforts to create hope and fulfil dreams among those in need.
“We are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship!” says Cronje.
Image caption: Reading “thank you” messages from the pupils of the Leolan Academy is Algoa FM managing director Alfie Jay. Looking on, from the left, are Drive Show presenter Simon Bechus, Petrie Cronje, chief executive officer of the Louis57 Foundation, and Leolan Academy principal Yolandi Botha.