SHARPEVILLE. – VUT FM’s Journalist Oupa Sefatsa (53) will on February 29 make his way to Durban following a PanSALB Multilingualism Awards Nomination for VUTFM’ Current Affairs slot.

The awards are held annually. The PanSALB Multilingualism Awards were established in 2002 to recognise individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to preserve and promote all official languages in South Africa.

The Awards seek to promote and recognize exceptional work in the promotion of all official and other South African languages, broadcast the importance of multilingualism in South Africa, enhance the use of all official languages, and raise awareness on the role of languages in general as a uniting agent to the people.

Sefatsa has been in radio since 1980 and since then, he has managed to make a name for himself in the industry. Sefatsa was nominated in the category of Community Media.

Speaking about the nomination, Sefatsa says that he is grateful for the recognition, adding that he appreciates that his contribution to community journalism has not gone unnoticed.

“I have always put my passion before anything. This is a job that requires self-discipline and dedication. I think this nomination comes at the right time when I can appreciate the kind of effort that is needed to be chosen among some of the best in this field.”

Sefatsa says his job comes with a lot of challenges but through his years of experience, he has been able to learn how to work with people from vast backgrounds with different stories to tell.

“At times we are met with aggrieved people and we practice sympathy and patience. Other times, we tell good stories that help uplift our communities.”

In a recent interview, Sefatsa said he is delighted to have been able to change people’s lives through some of the stories he covered.”
Sefatsa says he hopes to bring the award home, but adds that if things don’t go his way, he will be happy to have been given his flowers through the nomination.