By: Puleng Maphisa – 05  March 2024

The Vaal University of Technology (VUT)’s award cabinet will soon run out of space! To add to the display, VUT FM presenters, Thabo Difero and Oupa Sefatsa walked away with not one but two prestigious Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) Multilingualism Awards in the distinguished category of Community Media: Radio. The awards were handed to recipients at a glitz and glamorous gala ceremony held on 29 February 2024 in the vibrant city of Durban, KwaZulu Natal.

The duo, who steer the Centre Stage Show, a current affairs slot on VUTFM from 18:00 – 20:00, was honoured for their commitment to promoting linguistic diversity, fostering social cohesion and nation-building through media and community engagement. The award recipients echoed a sentiment of divine gratitude, stating, “God is great, and all praises be to Him. We are overjoyed by this achievement, a testament to the fact that hard work pays off. Our heartfelt thanks go to the VUT management and station manager for their unwavering support and the opportunity they have afforded us as presenters. We also extend our gratitude to our fellow presenters, acknowledging the invaluable support from our dedicated listeners. As we always say, ‘It will pay one day as we continue informing minds.”

The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Khehla Ndlovu, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the award-winning presenters. “Congratulations to our presenters and the leadership of the station. VUTFM is indeed going places.”

Ms. Ndumi Lufefe, the Stakeholder Engagement Director at VUT and also Chairperson of the VUTFM’s Board, also conveyed the board’s collective congratulations to the two winners, acknowledging and appreciating their unwavering dedication. She emphasized that their commitment has not only elevated VUTFM and VUT to new heights but also marks just the beginning, with limitless potential lying ahead.