Radio Turf board members, along with presenters and producers engage during the Programming Summit to review audience feedback and develop strategies for community-focused broadcasting.
2026 programming summit empowers listeners to influence content and reinforces compliance with ICASA community broadcasting standards
By Phishego Mohubedu- ulpublications@ul.ac.za
Radio Turf hosted its 2026 annual programming summit at the University of Limpopo, R40 Conference Hall. The summit facilitated a direct engagement between the station and members of the Mankweng community to collaboratively shape the station’s future
Scheduled ahead of the programming cycle launch on May 1, 2026, the summit underscores Radio Turf’s dedication to meeting the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) mandates, which prioritise active community participation in broadcasting.
Established in 1994 as an integral part of UL, the campus based station has matured into a robust platform where listeners directly influence content by engaging directly with programming and contributing ideas for continuous improvement.
Addressing the summit, Station Manager Makwena Mamadi welcomed the delegates, describing the session as an important moment in the station’s trajectory.
“This meeting marks a major step towards realising our station’s full potential and improving our programming to deliver community-driven content that informs, educates and entertains,” Mamadi remarked.
Matabo Mathekga, Chairperson of the Programming Committee of the Board, outlined the summit’s core objectives, which focused on optimising content delivery, enhancing programming quality, and fostering deeper audience engagement.
To facilitate meaningful outcomes, participants were divided into three groups representing the station’s primary content areas: Music, News, and Entertainment. These sessions enabled participants to engage in-depth on how to maximise the relevance and impact of Radio Turf’s content.
The summit also provided listeners with a direct platform to articulate their expectations and share feedback, offering valuable insights into audience preferences and community needs. In response, Radio Turf management pledged to integrate the feedback received into the upcoming programming cycle, ensuring future broadcasts better reflect the community.
Presenter and Master of Arts student Itumeleng Dipela expressed gratitude for the strong community turnout and active participation.
“I’m pleased that the summit was a success and that the community united with us as we strive to build a new Radio Turf that embodies our local identity and fosters active participation,” she said.
“This meeting marks a major step towards realising our station’s full potential and improving our programming to deliver community-driven content that informs, educates and entertains.”