The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) radio station, trufm will be embarking on the fourth annual edition of truTalent Search. Listeners between the ages of 15 – 34 are invited to audition in two of the five categories, namely: Music; Radio Presenting; Comedy; DJ’ing and a Listener’s Choice Award for the Best trufm Presenter Category, where listeners vote for their favourite trufm Presenter.
Comedians are requested to email their demo of 5-10 minutes and DJs are also invited to email their 10 – 20 minutes mixes to 2019trutalent@sabc.co.za. The closing date for all digital submissions is Sunday, 22 September 2019.
The station will travel to five different towns within the Eastern Cape namely:
Mdantsane City Shopping centre – 10 August
Peddie -17 August
Mbizana – 24 August
SABC Bhisho – 31 August
Mthatha – 7 September
trufm debuted its first presenter search in 2012 with only one category (Radio Presenting). Taking into consideration the aspirations and needs of its target audience, in 2015, the Station launched the truTalent campaign with various categories. This initiative was aimed at engaging and connecting with the youth of the Eastern Cape by giving them a platform that is conducive for showcasing and nurturing of their talent through workshops. In addition, it also provided employment opportunities for those that were successful in the competition.
The top two successful candidates from each category and town will visit the station in Bhisho for workshops on 27 – 29 September 2019. The workshops will be conducted by a mentor for each category where contestants will be taught more about the intricacies of their category to equip them with the knowledge that will enable them to take their talent to the next level.
The workshops will be followed by announcement of winners on Monday, 28 October 2019 live on-air.
The prizes for each category are as follows:
Music – The winner will receive R10 000 in cash and the opportunity to record a single which they can use to promote themselves in the industry.
Radio Presenting – The winner will receive R10 000 in cash and will also form part of the trufm line-up on a developmental slot where they will learn, host and be exposed to radio presenting for up to a year.
Comedy – The winner will receive R10 000 in cash and an opportunity to be a contributor in one of the station’s primetime shows for a year.
Dj’ing – The winner will receive R10 000 in cash and will be given an opportunity to be a resident DJ in one of the station’s lifestyle shows.
Listener’s Choice: Best Presenter on trufm award – the winner will be awarded the ‘Listener’s Favourite Presenter’ title for the year on all DJ promos and stings.
Mr. Masixole Mdingane, Acting Station Manager stated “this campaign is one of the many ways that trufm uses to empower the youth and to afford them an opportunity to showcase their talent and skills. The Station is committed to playing its part in youth development in the province and in making the dreams of young people come true. This initiative also plays a crucial part in curbing the high unemployment rate.”
The 2019 truTalent campaign was officially launched on trufm during Drive326EC (Mon – Fri 15h00 – 18h00) on the 26th July 2019.