TRUTALENT SEARCH COMPETITION
MDDA AND TRU FM EMBARK ON A TRUTALENT SEARCH COMPETITION
18 January 2024
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The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) has partnered with SABC Eastern Cape Regional Station, Tru FM in the truTalent presenter search competition. Aimed at engaging and connecting with the youth of the Eastern Cape, the initiative provides young people, particularly in the Eastern Cape with a platform and a critical opportunity to showcase and nurture their talent. This is done through community roadshows where Tru FM and its partners, like the MDDA travel the length and breadth of the province conducting auditions for young people with interest and a passion for radio.
TruFM is known for its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity through discovering and developing emerging vices in radio broadcasting. The initiative which debuted in 2012, only had one category, namely, Radio Presenting, and has since grown to have more categories, taking into consideration the needs and aspirations of its target audience. It is committed to identifying creative and talented sports as well as all-rounded presenters between the ages of 18 – 34.
In this year’s truTalent search, the MDDA is collaborating with Tru FM mainly on the Sports Presenter category, which will primarily be recruited from community radio stations in the Eastern Cape. The MDDA’s participation and support in the initiative will therefore directly contribute to the identification and development of skilled sports presenters who may otherwise lack access to such opportunities.
Since its inception, a number of young people who participated in the initiative have seen their lives change for the better, through getting lifetime opportunities to work at Tru FM, while others have been identified and absorbed by other mediums and community media platforms. This has also resulted in the creation of employment opportunities for the talented young people.
The MDDA is a statutory development agency with the objective of creating an enabling environment for media development and diversity, reflective of the needs and aspirations of all South Africans and to redress the exclusion and marginalisation of disadvantaged communities and persons from access to the media industry.
“The MDDA values the continuous development and diversity of the community media sector, and more so the provision of opportunities for young people with talent with platforms to grow, while also earning an honest livelihood. It is for this reason that we have decided to be a part of this great initiative. Community media platforms are an important vehicle not only for the provision of information, education, and entertainment, but to also unearth talent for the benefit of the entire industry and communities. Therefore, by supporting this talent search, the MDDA will actively contribute to the creation of a more inclusive media landscape, ensuring that underrepresented communities, particularly in the Eastern Cape have a stage to showcase their talents”, says MDDA Chief Executive Officer Ms Shoeshoe
Qhu. Starting from Friday 19 January 2024, the initiative will travel to six different towns within the Eastern Cape where listeners will be invited to audition in three categories namely, Sport Presenter, All rounder presenter, and DJ category. All winners will receive R10 000 in cash and get a one-year freelance contract to be a trufm Sport Presenter, all-rounder presenter, or a resident DJ on one of the prime-time shows.
On the DJ category, the winner will receive DJ equipment and have an opportunity to be a resident DJ in one of the station’s lifestyle shows. A lucky listener who would have voted the most in either of the categories will receive a cash amount of R5000.
18 January 2024