Deputy Minister Unveils TUT FM, Tshwane FM Studios to Boost Community Media
The unveiling ceremony will be attended by the Board of the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), with Morolong scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
- Country:
- South Africa
In a milestone for community broadcasting and youth empowerment, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, is set to inaugurate newly digitised studios for TUT FM and Tshwane FM in Pretoria this Friday. The unveiling ceremony will be attended by the Board of the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), with Morolong scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
The state-of-the-art studios, funded by the MDDA as part of its mandate to strengthen community media across South Africa, represent a significant leap in technological capability and signal the government’s continued commitment to fostering media diversity and local content creation.
Empowering Gauteng’s Community Media
TUT FM 96.2, based at the Soshanguve South campus of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), is a vibrant community radio station with a 61,000-strong listenership within a 50km radius. Known for its energetic and diverse programming, TUT FM targets the youth demographic aged 15 to 35, reflecting the multicultural tapestry of the region by broadcasting in six languages: English, Setswana, Sepedi, IsiZulu, Tshivenda, and Xitsonga.
With this digitisation, TUT FM will enhance its content production and on-air quality, offering new training opportunities for aspiring broadcasters and content creators from the student and local communities.
Tshwane FM: Giving Students and Communities a Stronger Voice
Tshwane FM 93.6 serves as the official student radio station for TUT, extending its reach across Greater Tshwane, Atteridgeville, Laudium, Mamelodi, Centurion, Midrand, and northern Johannesburg. Broadcasting within a 50km radius, the station is a critical platform for student voices, current affairs, music, and local news, bridging the gap between campus life and the broader public.
The new digital studio infrastructure will not only upgrade technical standards but also make it easier for the station to collaborate with local artists, entrepreneurs, and civic groups, cementing its role as a hub for community engagement and youth expression.
The MDDA’s Vision for Inclusive and Diverse Media
The MDDA’s support for TUT FM and Tshwane FM is part of a broader effort to nurture a pluralistic, representative, and independent media landscape in South Africa. By investing in digital technologies, training, and infrastructure, the agency aims to give marginalised and underrepresented communities a platform to tell their stories and participate in the national discourse.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Deputy Minister Morolong emphasised the importance of digital transformation in the media sector and highlighted community radio’s unique ability to educate, inform, and unite diverse audiences—particularly in a fast-evolving digital world.
Training, Employment, and Youth Empowerment
The digitisation of these studios is expected to have a lasting impact on skills development and job creation in the region. Both TUT FM and Tshwane FM offer hands-on training for students pursuing media, communications, and technology careers, equipping them with real-world experience in broadcasting, digital production, and audience engagement.
These efforts directly support the government’s goal of creating more opportunities for youth in Gauteng and beyond, while fostering a culture of innovation and responsible media practices.
Looking Forward
As the new studios open their doors, TUT FM and Tshwane FM are poised to reach even wider audiences, amplify youth perspectives, and adapt to the evolving needs of their communities. The partnership between the MDDA and TUT is a blueprint for how public investment in community media can deliver social, educational, and economic returns.
The launch marks a new era for campus and community radio in South Africa—one defined by technological excellence, creative expression, and a shared commitment to making every voice heard.
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