THOHOYANDOU - Where else would you find a top DJ who is also a producer and a radio station marketing manager? At Univen FM, of course. How does Mpho Tsedu (24) achieve all these? He owes his success to hard work, motivation and proper time management.

With approximately 161 000 listenership, Univen FM broadcasts from the Uni-versity of Venda campus on 99.8 MHz, covering a 50km radius and reaching towns like Thohoyandou, Makhado, Giyani and Soekmekaar.

It has been a hard and winding road for Tsedu to be where he is today.

“It has never been easy for me to venture in this dog-eat-dog radio industry. When the time for joining Univen Community Radio opened for me, I grasped it with both hands and since then I have had no regrets.”

Tsedu joined Univen Community Radio in 2002 while at the same time studying for his BA in International Relations degree. He completed his degree last year and he advises the youth to take education seriously before venturing fully into the radio industry. He started as a producer for the Mid Morning Breeze and within a year he was promoted to become an executive producer for Bridging the Gap.

“I then developed an interest in presenting and I could not resist the golden opportunity of sitting behind the microphone.”

Known as Tseducation by his loyal fans, he now produces and presents Facts of life, African Renaissance and Worker’s World.

Facts of life comes every Monday from 20:00 to 21:00.

“The programme deals with social issues like acceptable sexual behavior and bridging the communication gap between parents and their kids. I invite special guests and open the lines for members of the community to express their view and this makes them happy because they become part of the show.”

African Renaissance tackles issues that promote African dignity and the promotion of indigenous knowledge systems. It also focuses on the promotion of African music and the restoration of African cultural heritage. Tsedu broadcasts this show every Thursday from 20:00 to 21:00.

Worker’s World is broadcast on Sundays from 19:00 to 20:00. The focus is on labour issues like unfair labour practice, how employers reward their staff and how the relationship between employers and their staff could be strengthened.

As the marketing manager of the station it is also his responsibility to see that the station is making enough money through advertising and other fundraising strategies.

“As a leader of the advertising team, it is my duty to make sure that the station reaches the targeted market from time to time. Apart from the advertisements, I also look at the branding of the station to market our products in the community. I also have to organize promotional shows, beauty pageants and other social activities which bring money to the station.”