Ukhozi FM is searching for service providers

Ukhozi FM has seen its public and commercial standing evolve quite drastically in the past few years. The station has had to adapt to the increasingly competitive broadcast media environment, particularly in the area of content delivery and marketing activity. The business of delivering radio that makes a difference in people's lives is a momentous task that requires effort and co-operation beyond Ukhozi FM's own staff and management. Ideas, expertise, skills and cooperation of stakeholders outside Ukhozi FM's own team are vital in ensuring that our on-air and off-air activities are vibrant, insightful and useful to the station's mandate, the station explained in a press release.

“Ukhozi FM's marketing team receives a lot of enquiries about partnerships and sponsorships as well as request for airtime from the general public, various organizations, small and big companies, schools and tertiary institutions. We also have a lot of businesspeople, particularly SMME's, enquiring about opportunities to supply goods and service to Ukhozi FM. We welcome such enquiries and are sometimes able to assist or support. However, it becomes difficult to manage the high demand and high volume of enquires that we receive. We have therefore decided select a handful of preferred suppliers and partners that we will work with for the duration of the current financial year (2008/09)”, says Welcome ‘Bhodloza' Nzimande, Ukhozi FM Station Manager.

There will be three briefing sessions each focusing on suppliers of goods and services, booking agents for artists and performers and community development organizations. In each session, attendees will be given extensive information about Ukhozi FM's marketing activity, SABC procurement procedures and policies as well quality standards and practices.

The first series of briefings will be held in Durban in April, starting this week, and in Gauteng in May.

The first session will focus on supplier of marketing collateral and promotional items including but not limited to event management, PR and publicity, creative design, promotional materials, photography, video, catering, audio-visual equipment, stage, décor. It will be held on April 16 at SABC-KZN. The second session will be focusing on organisations in development, empowerment and community sectors. This session is targeting non-profit organizations that have interest in partnering with Ukhozi FM to implement projects or events that will empower and develop the communities within Ukhozi FM's footprint. These will include CBO's, NGO's, faith-based organizations etc. It will be held on April 23 at SABC KZN. The third session will be targeting companies representing artists, performers, DJ's etc. Artist managers, booking agents and promoters are encouraged to attend this session. It will be held on April 24 at SABC KZN.

The station will also hold similar sessions in Gauteng during the month of May. Dates and venues of this will be announced in due course.