Mahikeng FM has grown to become the number one community radio station in the North West Province; with its frequencies reaching the ears of the majority of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, as well as people all over the world. Mahikeng FM has over 143 000 listeners and has succeeded in reaching their hearts with content that informs, entertains and inspires people of all ages and genders.
Mahikeng FM is one of the few, if not the only, community radio stations that invite the community they serve to their Annual General Meetings (AGM) with the vision of enriching, unifying and creating a platform where the community can fully express itself.
Mahikeng FM recently hosted its fourth annual Mahikeng FM Community Awards (MACRAs) at Mmabatho Palms Casino and Resort.
The MACRAs are a major initiative that the station started in 2019 as a platform to recognize and honour its talent, stakeholders and community by bestowing awards on them during a night of glitz and glamour. The MACRAs take place each year to mark the start of the new financial year and the new radio calendar.
"The MACRAs are a day to recognize and celebrate talent, a day to thank the people who have contributed to Mahikeng FM's success. Today, in a city with less to celebrate, we shine the light on high-performing individuals and young black people who are the core and DNA of Mahikeng FM," said Sir Max, during the opening of the MACRAs event.
According to station manager Vanessa Mlate, the MACRAs have made it a point to consistently honour its important stakeholders ever since it was founded. Many stakeholders expressed their happiness at being affiliated with Mahikeng FM, expressing their pride at being a part of such an amazing organization that has provided a platform for more extensive customer connection.
As a community radio station, going with the mantra of "Seikokotlelo sa Loago", the station is heavily invested in community development programs that strive to make a difference in the daily lives of the community by continuously getting involved in projects that matter. Therefore, the first category of awards was the best male and female listeners of Mahikeng FM.
"Mahikeng FM is like a friend since they constantly find a way to assist you when you have problems. Mahikeng FM truly lives up to their tagline, "Seikokotlelo sa Loago," since every time I listen to them I feel better. Winning this award indicates to me that Mahikeng FM recognizes and appreciates me and it has reassured me of my worth to them as a listener,” said Ouma Masilo, the winner of the award for the best female listener.
“We are a community radio station operating in a very competitive environment, but I am blessed to be leading a team that is driven by passion and focuses because it makes working enjoyable, “said Karabo Kgokong, CEO of Mahikeng FM.“I am also grateful to Mmabatho Palms Casino and Resort for hosting us because the MACRAs originated here and I am grateful to the clients who keep our business running because we need all the money we can get for the 39 people we employed from the Mahikeng community," he added.
In addition to the existing Ntshale Phalatse Legendary Award, Mahikeng FM saw an opportunity this year to establish the Sam Mbatha Recognition Award, the winner of which was Maria Molosankwe, a Mahikeng FM board member from the community of Mahikeng.
At the end of the program, as the anticipated category of the night was publicized, Kgomotso Biloane was announced as the best female presenter and Botsang Tlhareseng as the best male presenter for the MACRAS 2023.
