Algoa FM

There is a brighter future for inner-city children living in the Quigney area of East London thanks to funds raised through the 2024 Algoa Cares Charity Golf Day hosted with Meyers Motors, ISUZU.

The beneficiary was Future Roses Educare, which supports parents who cannot afford to pay for childcare services and early childhood development.

The funds raised at the charity golf day were used to purchase a range of items, including an alarm system with the next two years’ monitoring paid in full; mattresses courtesy of Midlanes & Sealy, lunch boxes, activity books, art kits, toys, a freezer, laptop, and a stove.

“Once again the East London business community and golfers have made a difference in people’s lives by opening their hearts and wallets to a local charity,” says Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer.

“By investing in programmes and tools that foster growth and development, these contributions will empower the children and provide them with the hope and support they need to break the cycle of poverty,” says Nomlindo Beja, founder of Future Roses Educare in Quigney, East London.

“Every item purchased is a step toward transforming their lives and creating a foundation for a better tomorrow.”

Educational supplies, books, and technology, will create opportunities for learning and personal development, helping the children build a brighter future, she says.

“On behalf of Future Roses Educare and the children we serve, I extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who participated in our golf day.

“Your presence and generosity have not only made the event a success but has also brought hope and joy to the children under our care.

“Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and for taking the time to play a role in changing lives. We truly couldn’t do this without you!”

Garden Route golfers have handed the George-based Life Community Services charity an early Christmas gift of a greenhouse tunnel and irrigation system to grow vegetables to feed over 4 000 orphaned and vulnerable children aged 0 to 18 per week.

The funds were raised at the third annual Algoa Cares Garden Route Charity Golf Day held on Friday, 24 August.

Programmes run by the non-profit Life Community Services include eight community outreach centres, education, skills training, and a job creation project called ISIPHO.

The greenhouse will be used to grow seedlings as well as vegetables for the meals provided by Life Community Services, according to Maryna DeVries, founder and chief executive officer of the centre.

The seedlings will be planted out in the existing vegetable garden, which will reduce costs and increase the yield, she added.

Crops include spinach, butternut, beetroot, lettuce, radishes, strawberries and Cape gooseberries, according to garden manager Sizwe Giyo.

“It was such a privilege to help raise funds for the work being done by Life Community Services,” says Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer.

“A big ‘thank you’ to all the participants and businesses in the Garden Route which partnered with us in aid of such a worthy cause. We trust we will see you on the greens again next year,” she added.

Algoa FM’s multi radio award-winner Wayne Hart has made the shortlist in the Telkom Radio Awards Commercial Radio Breakfast Presenter category.

“It is fantastic news for Wayne Hart!” says Algoa FM programme manager Mio Khondleka.

“His nomination for the Radio Awards in the Breakfast Host category is so well-deserved.

“Wayne has consistently shown his dedication to his craft, and it’s clear with every broadcast that he’s only getting better. His energy, warmth, and professionalism make him a standout, and he’s part of a great team that works seamlessly together to create an engaging show for our listeners.

“Wishing him the best of luck—this recognition is truly earned!”

Hart has twice previously won radio awards, both for the Algoa FM Top 30, which he presented on Saturday mornings.

This is his second nomination as Breakfast Presenter since joining the show in 2020.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be nominated for Best Breakfast Presenter and deeply grateful,” says Hart.

“For over 20 years, radio has been a cornerstone of my life, shaping my journey and fuelling my passion every single day—and I don’t intend on stopping anytime soon.

“I am incredibly fortunate to work with a fantastic team, and I owe this honour to them as much as our listeners.

“A huge thank you to Lee, Charlie T, and Producer Corn; together, we create something truly special, bringing energy, connection, and joy to the airwaves every weekday morning.

“This nomination is a testament to the hard work and dedication we pour into every show, and I couldn’t be prouder to share it with such an incredible team”.

Just weeks after winning the “Best of George Readers’ Choice” 2024 award in the Local Radio Station category, Algoa FM was honoured as a finalist in the Mossel Bay Business Chamber’s “Best Large Business of the Year” award category.

“This accolade of recognition, together with our earlier Best of George Readers’ Choice award, are testament to the hard work our Garden Route team has put into making the station become a favourite among listeners, clients, and fellow businesses alike in the region,” says Algoa FM managing director Alfie Jay.

The media business finally established a physical presence in the Graden Route, launching a satellite studio and offices in George during December 2023. This followed a dedicated weekday afternoon drive show for the Garden Route which launched in 2011.

“We had planned to open the studio in 2020, but the pandemic had other ideas, and then commercial space being at such a premium in George, it took a while for us to find just the right place – and a great landlord willing to think outside the box to accommodate our creative needs,” says Jay.

Algoa FM is continuing to strengthen its presence in the Garden Route market.

“Locally based afternoon drive-show presenter Simon Bechus and news correspondent Louise Karsten can regularly be seen at Algoa FM activations and news conferences throughout the region, while Angelique Strydom and our sales team, are hard at work, networking and crafting advertising packages for companies, to assist them in growing market share and sales results in the region. “Our doors are always open to companies and organisations that want to partner with us on a growth strategy and solid business principles,” adds Jay.

Ends

Edgar Muzah is the 2024 South African Music Awards (SAMA30) “Rest of Africa” award-winner for his album “Son Of A Tribe (Royalty Edition)”.

Released in June 2023, it is his second world music album to receive a Sama nomination. The first was “Son of a Tribe” released in 2021.

He was also nominated for the best male artist of the year award, but did not make it into the finals.

“For me it was a big deal being nominated in both categories. As an artist it is validation of your talent.

“It feels good and motivates you to do even better”.

The Zimbabwean-born musician, bass player, music producer, composer and arranger is the senior production engineer at Algoa FM.

Muzah has played and worked with some of South Africa’s and the world’s best musicians such as Joliza, Ntsika, Putuma, Take Note, Willis Wataffi and SaMasamba (Zimbabwe), Black Tye.

In addition to the bass guitar, he plays the traditional mbira and marimba.

Algoa FM is inviting businesses of all sizes to support cancer charities serving the region by entering the Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer, presented by ISUZU MOTORS South Africa.

Group and bulk entry options make it easier for businesses and other large organisations to participate in the five-kilometre walks on Saturday, 26 October.

“Everyone has been affected by cancer in one way or another, and companies find that participating in charity events such as the Big Walk, is a good way to support employees and their families who have walked this road. It is also a fun activity to build team spirit and morale,” says Algoa FM marketing manager, Lesley Geyer.

The 2024 beneficiaries are CHOC Eastern Cape, St Bernard’s Hospice in East London, and St Francis Hospice serving Nelson Mandela Bay and the Kouga region.

Physical start points will be available in George, Gqeberha, and East London.

Companies outside of these areas which wish to participate, can register, and then stage virtual big walks in and around their premises and share the experience through social media by tagging Algoa FM.

Corporate bulk entries with more than twenty-one entrants in Nelson Mandela Bay, will have their race packs delivered free to their premises by volunteers driving pink ISUZU vehicles.

The packs will be available at registration in East London and George or can be delivered by The Courier Guy at a flat rate of R195 anywhere in South Africa.

Companies can also invest their support by making a donation to one, or all three of the event’s beneficiaries via algoafm.co.za and as an incentive, stand the chance of winning a full collector’s merchandise kit in the Donor’s lucky draw.

Algoa FM has made it easier for schools from the Garden Route to the Wild Coast and through the Karoo to support cancer charities to raise funds for the Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer presented by ISUZU MOTORS South Africa.

The 2024 Algoa FM Big Walk will be held simultaneously in George, Nelson Mandela Bay and East London on Saturday, October 26.

With Saturdays being traditional sports days for schools, the organisers of the 2024 Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer presented by ISUZU MOTORS South Africa have made special arrangements for education institutions to participate.

Participating education institutions will be entered into a lucky draw to win R10 000 and an interview slot to talk about their school or college on Algoa FM.

Beneficiaries are the CHOC house in East London and the St Bernard’s and St Francis hospices.

There are two options for education institutions ranging from pre-primary to college or universities which cannot take advantage of the bulk entry option on event day.

“Several schools organise a fund-raising Pink Civvies Day where everyone needs to wear pink or a splash of pink and donate the proceeds to support the Big Walk for Cancer,” says Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer.

“Alternatively, they can host a virtual Big Walk around the school and its neighbourhood.

“Entrants paying the R70 participation fee would qualify for the limited edition pink Big Walk T-shirts,” she adds.

Entries and information are available on the Algoa FM website.

Algoa FM has won the “Best of George Readers’ Choice” 2024 award in the Local Radio Station category.

“We’ve been embracing and adapting to the Garden Route community since launching a dedicated weekday afternoon drive show in 2011,” says Algoa FM managing director Alfie Jay.

“As the leading commercial radio station in the region, our driving force is to connect closely with our listeners and advertisers, and this award tells us that we are succeeding.

“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate as well as vote for us, it really means the world to my team and me”.

Algoa FM’s presence in the Garden Route has grown steadily, leading to the opening of its purpose-built studio in George at the beginning of December 2023.

Local personality Simon Bechus is the afternoon drive presenter, who listeners can meet at many of Algoa FM’s “on the ground” activations, which take place in the Garden Route.

“This award is also a tribute to the support that Simon and our local sales executive, Angelique Strydom, give to our listeners and advertisers.

“Many Local businesses continue to increase market share through integrated on air, online and on the ground campaigns crafted by my award-winning team,” says Jay.

Popular Algoa FM presenter Kea Zawadi is about to become the first female presenter of the award-winning Algoa FM Top 30, broadcast between 9am and noon on Saturday mornings.

She takes over from JP Botha, who is moving abroad.

“Together with a crisp approach and new imaging for the show, Kea will inject her young and vibrant self into Saturday mornings, bringing a fresh energy, simultaneously transforming a previously male-dominated arena,” says Algoa FM managing director Alfie Jay.

The twice nominated (as a radio presenter), Zawadi is also a singer, songwriter, content producer and actress who has enjoyed roles in “Inconceivable”, “Queer Romantic Comedy,” and “13 Weeks To Find Mr Right”.

Her move to the Algoa FM Top 30 is accompanied by a new timeslot during the week, with the 7pm to 10pm slot from Mondays to Fridays.

Queenie Grootboom moves into Kea’s previous slot and will be presenting the 10pm to 2am show from Sundays through to Friday mornings.

“Queenie has an unmistakable approach, personality, and rapport with our audience.

“It is fair to say that Queenie is also one of the toughest women in broadcasting, overcoming huge challenges while broadcasting from home over the past four years,” says Jay.

“These changes to the line-up are in tune with Algoa FM’s ongoing refreshment of its content, and take effect on 1 July,” adds Jay.

Recently it was announced that well-known SuperSport anchor Sam Ludidi had joined the station to present Sunday Lunch LIVE from Algoa FM’s Hemingways studio in East London.

Carly Fields has taken over the early morning 5 to 6am slot to give listeners a cheerful start to the day.

She also presents the popular Carly on Algoa FM on Saturdays from seven to 10 in the evening.

Future Roses Educare has been selected as the beneficiary of the 2024 Algoa Cares Charity Golf Day in East London.

Daily Dispatch Local Hero finalist Linda Beja opened the Future Roses Educare Centre in 2016 to give babies and children under the age of six the opportunity to grow up in a safe space.

It is situated in a house in the East London suburb of Quigney.

Funds raised at the golf day will go towards rent, as well as food, toiletries, and mattresses for the children in the care of Beja and her team.

“We are absolutely thrilled and grateful to have been chosen as the beneficiary of your donation drive! Your support means the world to us and the community we serve,” responded Beja when informed that her organisation had been selected as the beneficiary of the popular annual Algoa Cares Charity Golf Day in East London, which will be held on August the 2nd at the Olivewood Golf Estate.

Speaking to Algoa FM and the participants in the golf day, Beja said “your generosity and commitment to giving back to the community are truly inspiring, and we are honoured to be a part of it.

“We are excited to work together to make a positive impact in the lives of those in need”.

The Algoa FM team which visited Future Roses as part of the evaluation of the application were impressed by the difference it is making both in the lives of the children and the broader community.

“Mattresses are needed so the children who are living in makeshift shelters in the nearby bush are able to stay dry when there are storms, such as we have experienced recently” says Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer.

“For many, the meals provided at Future Roses are all the food they will get for the day.

“But what impressed the team most, is that the centre does not just care for the daily needs – they also provide early child education, giving them the start they need to escape the poverty trap they have been born into,” she says.

Bookings for the Algoa Cares East London Charity Golf Day can be made online through the Algoa FM website.

There are also opportunities for sponsors to both support Future Roses and raise their profile with the players on the day.