“VUT’s Advanced Diploma in PR hosted a 2025 summit uniting community radio, performing arts, and industry leaders to explore challenges, opportunities, and collaboration”
24 November 2025 | Story by: Corporate Communication | Picture: Keitumetse Mokgope
4 minutes read time.
The atmosphere at the Vaal University of Technology was charged with energy and anticipation as the Advanced Diploma in Public Relations Management class hosted its highly anticipated Community Radio and Performing Arts Summit on Monday, 17 November 2025. The event brought together students, industry professionals, and community stakeholders committed to strengthening South Africa’s grassroots media and creative sectors.
Mr Tshepiso Kaibe opened the summit, welcoming guests and setting the purpose for the day with a call to reflect on the changing landscape of community radio and the performing arts. He emphasised the importance of collaboration, resource sharing, and sustainable strategies, reminding attendees that platforms such as community media serve as vital sources of information, culture, storytelling, and local talent.
The summit brought together representatives from Emfuleni Arts and Culture, Umphakathi FM, NWU River FM, UNISA, Thokoza FM, Signal Engineering Technology (Sentech), VUT FM, the National Community Radio Forum (NCRF), and the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS). Each organisation contributed valuable insights through presentations that enriched the day’s discussions.
Representing Sentech, Regional Account Manager Mr Ndlomo Mbonelwa outlined the organisation’s extensive role as a national broadcast infrastructure provider. He highlighted Sentech’s media, satellite, broadband, and data centre services, stressing the importance of connectivity in underserved communities where community radio remains a primary source of news and public information.
This was followed by a presentation from GCIS Regional Communications Manager, Mr Jacob Molete, who explored the legislative and constitutional mandate of government communication. He emphasised GCIS’s responsibility to ensure transparent, coordinated messaging across all spheres of government and its role in supporting citizens’ access to information that empowers their daily lives. His remarks underscored the relationship between effective communication, constitutional rights, cooperative governance, and public trust.
From VUT FM, Music Coordinator Mr Thabo Ratsiane highlighted the link between community radio and the performing arts. He spoke about the station’s role in showcasing emerging artists, nurturing media talent, and expanding its digital footprint through multimedia content. His contribution demonstrated the evolving interplay between radio, social media platforms, and creative storytelling.
Adding further depth, NCRF Treasurer Mr Alone Pilusa unpacked the structure of South Africa’s broadcasting landscape and the organisation’s long-standing mandate. He explained the three tiers of radio, public, commercial and community, and the different forms community radio can take, from geographic and community of interest stations to campus-based broadcasters. He reaffirmed the NCRF’s ongoing commitment, dating back to 1993, to building a strong and sustainable community media sector through advocacy, training, policy engagement, and capacity building. His reminder that “divided we fall, together we stand” echoed the cooperative spirit inherent to community broadcasting.
The summit also celebrated artistic expression through performances by vocalist Hlobisile, poet uMnikazi wePen, and rapper Ke Black. Their contributions added cultural depth to the programme and reinforced the strong bond between community media and the performing arts.
Offering words of encouragement, Ms Semakaleng Moeketsi, Senior Officer for Training and Development in Arts and Culture at Emfuleni Municipality, urged students to step into the industry with confidence and purpose. She noted that the sector is ready for new voices and fresh perspectives.
As the event drew to a close, VUT lecturer Mr Knowledge Manana delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the resilience that made the summit possible after earlier postponements. He commended the students for their dedication and reaffirmed the significance of partnerships with the organisations that supported the initiative.
Reflecting on the journey, project leader Ms Princess Mashinini described the summit as an unforgettable milestone. She shared how leading the initiative challenged and inspired her, strengthened her leadership skills, and demonstrated the transformative power of teamwork. For her and her colleagues, the summit stood as more than an academic exercise; it was a testament to the impact that committed young professionals can make when they bring together communities, institutions, and industry voices.
Adding a student perspective, delegate Mr Patrick Tsenase from the Advanced Diploma group shared how the summit broadened his understanding of both the media and arts sectors. He noted that while audiences enjoy radio and artistic performances, they seldom consider the complex processes behind the final product. The summit, he said, opened his eyes to challenges he “wasn’t even aware existed” and reinforced the importance of creating spaces where practitioners can exchange knowledge, deepen conversations, and expand collective insight into the industries they aspire to serve.