Naledi FM, a community radio station in Free State Province, won the top prize for overall best entry (R10 000) and best narrative storytelling in the American Culture and Information Center's Community Radio Documentary Competition 2005. US Consul General Steve Coffman presented the awards at a ceremony and dinner at his residence.
The winning entry profiled jazz superstar Hugh Masekela speaking about his years in America, and their impact on his life and music. Second prize went to East Rand Stereo, with Radio Today and Qwa Qwa Radio taking third and fourth place.
Participating stations plan to share and broadcast the complete collection of entries, focusing on music from the original "African Ink Spots" to modern hip-hop and kwaito. The American Center is also exploring opportunities for these productions to be broadcast in the US.
The three judges were radio presenter Michelle Constant, Mosotho Stone of the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism, and Voice of America's East and Southern Africa marketing representative, Paula Caffey.
The American Culture and Information Center launched its Community Radio Documentary Production Competition in April 2005, with the goal of assisting community radio stations to develop production capability - and simply to have some fun with the theme of 'Cross-influences between American and South African music.'
The complete list of winners:
First prize: (R10 000) Naledi Community Radio, Senekal, Free State
Second prize: (R4000) East Rand Stereo, Springs, Gauteng
Third prize: (R2000) Radio Today, Parktown, Gauteng
Fourth prize: (R1000) Qwa-Qwa Radio, Free State
