THOHOYANDOU – After seven years of its existence, Univen Radio decided to hold a function in honour of all who had contributed to their growth during the past years. The gala dinner, during which 30 of their staff members and several companies were awarded with certificates for a job well done, was held at the Tusk Venda Hotel and Casino last Saturday evening.

According to the marketing manager of the radio station, Mr Lufuno Tsedu, the station went on air for the first time on September 5, 1997. Only people who stay within a radius of 50km from the station have a chance of being kept up to date by the station’s talented newsmongers.

Although their listenership fluctuates from time to time, Tsedu has revealed that it ranges between 150 000 and 185 000. Several local businesses that have contributed towards the growth of the station including MMK Insurance, Mvelaphanda Community Skills Development, Mulaudzi Bus Service, Phadziri Bus Service, Nandos Thohoyandou, Tusk Venda Hotel and Casino, Coca-Cola Fortune, Wimpy outlet, Traditional Foods, Thohoyandou Spar Supermarket, Professional Insurance Brokers, Khathu’s Computers and the Limpopo Mirror, were awarded with certificates during the ceremony.

During the ceremony the acting station manger, Ms Paula Mathonsi, expressed appreciation for the contributions made by these companies towards the station’s growth and appealed to other local businesses to follow suit. Two of the station’s staff members, Avhapfani “Bravo” Khalushi and Thikolelwi Liphadzi, received the most prestigious awards during the ceremony. The two were nominated by the listeners as the best news presenter and the best presenter respectively.