Press Statements

OFM has earmarked 2023 as ‘showtime’ and will introduce some fresh voices to the lineup from 1 April 2023.

One of the most exciting additions is the return of an old favourite to augment OFM’s existing classic pop offering on Sundays. Christie Hansen, a well-known Central South African voice, who also broadcast on OFM for 17 years, moves in behind the mic, Sundays 12:00 – 16:00, during ‘Classic Sundays’. This programme will be a continuation of radio veteran Tony Blewitt’s retro music offering from 09:00 – 12:00.

Known for not shying away from donning boxing gloves or traversing a mountain range, OFM’s Good Morning Breakfast host, Shandor Potgieter, takes on a new challenge – ‘living in a box’ for 140 hours.

Potgieter will live in a display cubicle, decked out as a ‘Show House’, in the Protea Hall at Bloem Show from 27 April until 3 May 2023.

This is all in celebration of the institution’s 140th year of existence.

In an ever-changing landscape of audio production and consumption, OFM is leading the way and opening access to technology and platforms for citizen podcasters to be heard.

“The belief is that experts, or celebrities and influencers, are the only people to have podcasts. I say: ‘No.’ My view is that anyone who wants to be heard should be given the opportunity to publish. OFM is going to open those doors,” says Nick Efstathiou, CEO of the Central Media Group.

On Wednesday 8 March 2023, the 25-year-old Michael Ndabandaba from Klerksdorp was announced on the Good Morning Breakfast as the grand prize winner of the OFM O-dition presenter search.

He was a favourite with OFM’s judges as well as the audience after he showcased his presenting talents alongside Pulane Nel-Sekepe on At Lunch on the afternoon of Friday 3 March.

Photo (f.l.t.r): Tatum Williams, Michael Ndabandaba, Janrie de Lange, Cavall Burgess, Anny Bruyns

After listening attentively to the voice tests of more than 400 entrants and travelling 2 840 kilometres to eight cities in four provinces, the OFM O-dition voice talent search enters its final phase.

The panel of judges has selected five finalists, who will vie for the grand prize worth R50 000, which includes: R10 000 cash, a laptop, a media practitioner broadcast kit, a three-month presenter contract and mentorship from OFM’s current presenters.

2023 is showtime on OFM! This means glitz, glam and, as always, fun and games that make our listeners win … big time!

We, along with participating advertisers, are giving our loyal listeners the chance to win R5 000 a day from 13 February to 10 March 2023.

OFM’s very own Shandor Potgieter, the host of the Good Morning Breakfast Show, 06:00 to 09:00 on weekdays, will take on the K-Way SkyRun 100 race to raise funds for the Reach for a Dream Foundation.

The SkyRun will take place in the remote terrain of the Witteberg mountain range in the Eastern Free State on 19 November 2022.

Shandor’s fundraising goal is R100 000. Donations start at R1 000 per kilometre.

Central Media Group – Central South Africa’s leading media and Entertainment Company, specializing in broadcasting, new media, and publishing – celebrates ten years in 2022.

It was in 2012 that Central Media Group (CMG) was born, from the historic Radio Oranje and Seyalemoya Communications.

CMG now consists of OFM, Digital Platforms, and Mahareng Media and Advertising.

Winning the Best of Bloemfontein in the Bloemfontein Courant’s Reader’s Choice Awards 2022 for Best Local Radio Station, Best Local Radio Show and Best Local Radio Personality, OFM has once again shown that, in the words of presenter Yolanda Maartens, the radio station goes with the people of Bloemfontein “in their cars, at their desks at work, to sing along to in their showers, to spread joy when someone is sad, to bring memories back and to create new ones”.

OFM, the sound of your life, has once again signed on as the official media partner of the North West Dragons men’s cricket team.

As their media partner, OFM will cover the Dragons’ 2022/23 season with team news, results, information on upcoming matches, and interviews with players.