GTFM elects new board

The event’s main purpose was to elect GTFM’s new board members.

The newly elected board members are: Chairperson, pastor Lawrence Baloyi, deputy chairperson, Ludwick Ramathoka, secretary, Naletsana Mangena, deputy secretary, pastor Eric Risiva, treasurer, Llandi van der Walt and two additional members, pastor Dermas Baloyi and Ellen Madike (re-instated board member).

The radio station is 100% owned by the Greater Tzaneen Community and facilitated by the Greater Tzaneen Economic Development Agency (GTEDA).

The station went back on the airwaves on July 4, after being out of action for couple of months due to mismanagement and lack of funds to sustain the running of the radio station.

Financial statements of the year 2011 and 2012 were available, which were done by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the audits were all clean.

“The other annual financial audits have been conducted, however they have not been paid for therefore it is not yet available, but as soon it is paid for, it will be available to the public,”said Kwena Maphoto, Chief executive officer of GTEDA.

The station has received financial support from Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), Limpopo Office of the Premier, GTEDA and other income generated through sales (advertising) since its establishment.

The MDDA has funded the station with over R2.8 million over the past 4 to 5 years and has recently gave GTFM another chance to be funded by the development agency.

One of the requirements which the MDDA requires from the station is to hold AGM meetings and to give regular reports, for continual financial support from the agency.

“As an agency we felt it is our duty to assist the station even during its internal crisis,”said Kabelo Thelele, programme officer in the community Broadcasting Unit of MDDA.

The radio station currently has 23 staff members ranging from volunteers, part-time staff and presenters led by the Acting Station Manager Ernest Timbane.