Press Statements

From offices, warehouses and small businesses, to kitchens, motor cars and living rooms, OFM is an entertainer, a source of information and a companion. Our footprint includes the Free State, as well as large parts of the Northern Cape, North West and the Vaal Triangle.

During 2017, OFM continued to grow and expand as a radio station, to push its boundaries and to make a difference in the lives of its communities, who remain the reason why we do radio. OFM embarked on several new and exciting initiatives in 2017 that were engaging=, entertaining and informative for a loyal audience.

The two events will take place on Monday 27 November at Senwes Cricket Oval in Potchefstroom and Wednesday 6 December at the Kovsie Cricket Oval in Bloemfontein. Gates open at 16:00 and both events will start at 19:00.

This year’s line-up of artists includes the king and queen of the South African music scene Kurt Darren and Juanita du Plessis, as well as Monique Steyn and the Mzanzi Youth Choir.  There will also be loads of entertainment for the little ones, such as balloon sculpting, face painting and Santa in the dedicated children’s areas.

To enter, bring an unwrapped gift in the form of toys, care packages or stationery for children aged 0 to 18.  Donations of tinned food are also welcome.

Says OFM Station Manager, Nick Efstathiou: “Carols by Candlelight is a highlight on the OFM calendar.  Not only is it a fantastic way to get into the spirit of Christmas, but the toys and other gifts collected at both events bring so much joy to children, who really don’t have much to look forward to during Christmas. We hope that this year’s events in Potchefstroom and Bloemfontein will once again spread a little Christmas cheer!”

Attendees are reminded to bring their own picnic blankets or camping chairs to sit on. Food stalls will be available but picnic baskets will be allowed. Unfortunately, no glass or open fires will be permitted.

For enquiries, contact Nick Efstathiou at 051-5050-900.

The radio station won two categories in the 2017 Best of Bloemfontein Reader’s Choice Awards and two of its journalists were recognised for their outstanding work in the annual Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards in the Central Region.

In the Best of Bloemfontein Readers’ Choice Awards, OFM won the Best Local Radio Station category for a fifth consecutive year and The Big Breakfast on OFM won the Best Local Radio Show category.

Says Nick Efstathiou, OFM General Manager:  “At OFM, the sound of your life, we love music! Good music does not have an expiration date. We love that we are being rewarded for doing what we love each day. We are in love with our listeners and appreciate that they ‘hear’ us as their favourite radio station for five years running. The award-winning Big Breakfast on OFM with Martin van der Merwe is, without doubt, the best breakfast show in central South Africa and bring such joy to our morning commute to school and work.”

The Big Breakfast on OFM is hosted by Martin van der Merwe, produced by Duncan Bayne, and also features Adrian Botha on sport and Christina Kouveld on traffic.  It is presented every weekday from 06:00 to 09:00.

In the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards, Katleho Morapela scooped the Best Young Journalist Award.  She will now compete in the national round for an opportunity to win an all-expenses paid overseas trip and visit to the Thomson Foundation. Bulletin producer and news reader Earl Coetzee won the Radio Feature Award for his insert State Capture Fallout.

“OFM is extremely proud of our news journalists and the hard work they put in to produce quality news content. We wish both Katleho and Earl all the best going forward into the national competition,” says Efstathiou.

All the regional Vodacom Journalist of the Year winners will go through to the national awards in Johannesburg on November 16.

The Music Marathon will take place on 11 November 2017 and will feature a 42,2km marathon, 21,1km half-marathon, a 10km run and a 5km fun run. At a number of stations along the route, runners and spectators will be treated to themed music zones, such as the 80’s, dance, hip-hop and more. There will also be a special Music Marathon radio show which will be streamed exclusively on the OFM app.

According to Nick Efstathiou, OFM General Manager, the Music Marathon will be an official qualifier for the 2018 Two Oceans and Comrades ultra-marathons.

“The Music Marathon represents a re-entry for OFM into major sports events. Running and music is a perfect fit. What better way to combine the two than with a spectacular, entertaining event in which literally anyone can participate!  We are looking forward to this event and we really hope to see our listeners take on the challenge, feel the music and have fun on the 11th of November at the Bloemfontein Achilles Running Club. We could not get something of this magnitude done without key partnerships. Chatz, Vodacom and Bloemfontein Achilles have come on board and we can’t wait for the journey to start.”

Enter online at Entrytime.com from Monday 16 October 2017, or SMS ‘music’ to 36636 at R1.50 per SMS for details.

For enquiries, contact Nick Efstathiou at 051-5050-900

In the run-up to the awards show, listeners had a chance to vote for their favourite artists, albums and songs in five national and five international categories.

In the international categories, the British redhead Ed Sheeran reclaimed his title as Best Male Artist International, which he also won in 2015.  Central South Africans really showed their love for Sheeran in this year’s competition, by also choosing his album Divide as Album of the Year International.  Smoldering beauty Selena Gomez won Best Female Artist International.  American pop rock band One Republic knocked previous winners One Direction off their top spot to win Best International Group.

Song of the Year International could not have been anything other than the Latin rhythms of Despacito, by Puerto Rican heartthrob Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, featuring Justin Bieber.

In the national categories, Elvis Blue’s won Album of the Year National for a second year running for his album Die Brug.  The Voice SA winner Richard Stirton won Best Male Artist, while the bubbly blue-eyed Leah took the honours for Best Female Artist.  Cape Town’s pop trio Blackbyrd won Best South African Group.

Finally, Central South Africans chose Vernon Barnard’s song I Like It That Way as their Song of the Year National.

Says Nick Efstathiou, OFM General Manager: “The OFM Music Awards continues to flourish. We are extremely proud of this competition and of our listeners, who continue to make their voices heard. Congratulations to all our Golden Note winners.  Keep inspiring and entertaining us, keep making beautiful music and keep making this world a better place through your incredible talent!”

The OFM Music Awards seeks to acknowledge the phenomenal contribution that local and international musicians make to the entertainment sector in South Africa.

As in the past, listeners will have the opportunity to cast their ballots for their favourites in ten categories.  Winners in each category will receive a coveted Golden Note Award during a special award ceremony that will be broadcast live on 21 September between 14:00 and 15:00.

The nominees will be announced on the 4th of September and voting will take place between 4 and 14 September.  Listeners can vote online at www.ofm.co.za, or by using the OFM App.

Says OFM General Manager, Nick Efstathiou: “The OFM Music Awards is now in its third year and bigger than ever! OFM is immensely proud of this initiative that seeks to acknowledge the creative effort and hard graft of local and international artists to entertain and enthral their global audience. Without our artists and their music, our lives would certainly be a lot less exciting and colourful.”

The ten categories (five local and five international) in which listeners can vote for their favourites, include Song of the Year, Best Album, Best Female Artist, Best Male Artist and Best Group.

Previous winners include Karlien van Jaarsveld for “Woorde” (SA Song of the Year 2016), Riana Nel (Best Female Artist SA 2016), Bobby van Jaarsveld (Best Male Artist SA 2016), The Parlotones (Best SA Group 2016), Adele (Best International Female Artist 2016),  Allan Walker (Best International Male Artist 2016), and One Direction (Best International Group 2016).

This follows a seismice vent that resulted in a fall of ground at the Kusasalethu mine near Carletonville on Friday, 25 August 2017. All of the employees who were trapped underground,are now accounted for.Harmony’s board of directors and management, expressed their heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Mr Matuba, Mr Mokheleand Mr Mokemane (all stope team members) and Mr Moganedi and Mr Sethafuno(both rock drill operators) who have lost their lives as a result of this tragic incident.

“Our condolences go out to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.We will continue to provide the necessary support to the families of the deceased.We are grateful to our colleagues and the scores of volunteer members of MineRescue Services from across South Africa for their unwavering commitment tot he rescue operation. These rescue teams have demonstrated the utmost professionalism and courage under exceptionally challenging circumstances. Wethank the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) for their collaboration that has made this possible,” saidPeter Steenkamp, chief executive officer of Harmony.

Investigations into the incident, involving representatives of the company,organised labour and the health and safety directorate of the DMR will take place.

Statement supplied.

The NUM can confirm that three of the five miners trapped underground are NUM members.

“The NUM want to take this opportunity to applaud the brave miners who went underground with the Proto team who assisted in the recovery of the bodies, especially the third body found early hours this morning. We respect the role and sensitivity of the work of the proto team,” said Erick Gcilitshana, NUM Health and Safety Secretary.

“One of the three deceased miners whose bodies were retrieved was a 25-year-old miner who buried his father last month and he left a three-month-old son. It is painful and sad for the family. The lives of workers must always be prioritised to save lives.  A safe work place is a productive workplace. We believe that working as a collective team, we can save lives and achieve zero harm,” Gcilitshana added.

The NUM conveys its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased during this difficult time.

In July, the Free State Arts Festival takes place on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State and OFM is once again proud to be part of this great event celebrating the arts. Visit the outside broadcast unit and meet popular presenters Cyril Viljoen, Shandor Potgieter and WR van der Merwe, who will be broadcasting live from the festival terrain. Lucky listeners could also win a R1 000 with the OFM sound of your life promotion.

OFM is a proud supporter, sponsor and partner of the Currie Cup champions, the Toyota Free State Cheetahs. On Friday 21 July, Cheetahs host the Sharks in the first round of the 2017 Currie Cup competition.  Go to ofm.co.za and win a VIP experience inside the Steers OFM Skybox.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, come month-end, all those deductions turned into deposits?  With OFM, that might just happen! This month, OFM is introducing a fun new competition – OFM Pay Day.  See details at ofm.co.za and we might just take care of one of your bills this month.

From 3 to 5 August, the Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry in association with OFM will be hosting the 2017 Nocci Business Expo and Trade Fair at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre.  Approximately 160 exhibitors are expected as well as a variety of food stalls, live entertainment every day and a talent show with R5 000 as the first prize.

Building on the success of previous events, the 5th FNB Free State Wine Show will take place at Emoya Hotel and Spa on 3 and 4 August.  Visitors can expect to taste a selection of more than 200 of South Africa’s best wines and to engage with winemakers and marketing representatives. The FNB Wine Show is directed by South Africa’s best-known wine authority Michael Fridjhon, and sponsored by FNB, in association with OFM.

In August listeners have a chance to win a share of R30 000 in cash with the Sound of your Life competition!  Improve your chances to win by downloading the OFM app for exclusive clues about the mystery sound.

Says OFM General Manager, Nick Efstahiou: “At OFM, winter is everything but a boring time of year! We are proud to be part of some great charity and social events in July and August.  We hope our listeners enjoy everything that OFM continues to offer – from the best music in Central South Africa to some great projects and competitions.”

For more information about any of these events or competitions stay tuned to OFM, go to ofm.co.za, download the OFM app, or follow OFM, the sound of your life on Facebook and Twitter.

On 18 July, listeners are requested to give up 67 minutes of their time to make a huge difference in the life of someone less fortunate by dropping off a blanket, warm clothes or tinned foods at any of four collection points in Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Vanderbijlpark, Klerksdorp and Welkom.

The Mandela Day Blanket Drive was inspired by the fact that during Nelson Mandela’s incarceration on Robben Island, his only comfort was a thin blanket.  Those who knew him say he would have gladly given it away to someone who needed it more.

This year, the Nelson Mandela Foundation decided to take action against poverty by giving freely, getting rid of excess and redistributing resources.  OFM is proud to get behind this project one hundred percent and hopes its listeners will follow suit.

Says OFM General Manager, Nick Efstathiou:  “The message behind Mandela Day is simple – if each one of us heeds the call to do something good every day, we can all build the country of our dreams and make a positive difference.  This year, our blanket drive will be in aid of Child Welfare.  Please join us in this great effort on 18 July by donating a blanket, warm clothes or non-perishable food items.  Let central South Africa lead the change towards a better South Africa.”

For more about Nelson Mandela Day on the 18th of July, stay tuned to OFM, download the OFM Radio App or go to www.ofm.co.za.

Enquiries:  Nick Efstathiou (051) 5050 900