Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA – The far-reaching South African radio station Kfm 94.5 is integral to the country’s media landscape, Youth Journalism International students learned during a visit to its modern headquarters in Green Point, Cape Town.
Early on in the visit, which was part of YJI’s 2025 Global Conference, students gained insight into what sets Kfm 94.5 apart from other stations.
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The station is committed to sharing stories that matter directly to the people of Cape Town, with a strong focus on hyperlocal news. Topics regularly covered range from transport and weather to unusual and engaging stories, such as a huge elephant seal spotted on a South African road.
Alongside these lighter moments, the station also reports on major national stories, including the high-profile case of six-year-old Joshlin Smith, who was kidnapped and trafficked by her mother.
Students also learned about the station’s role in celebrating the city it serves.
Kfm 94.5 runs an annual online awards competition called #kfmBestoftheCape, where listeners nominate their favorite local spots across more than 30 categories, from businesses to food.
Awards and accolades from 2024 were proudly displayed on the office walls, including a win for the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway as Best Tourist Attraction.
In conversation with Zulpha Khan, deputy news editor at the news radio station CapeTalk, students asked what skills were most important for a journalist to succeed. She explained that curiosity is key and encouraged students to always ask questions and remain open to learning.
Drawing on more than 13 years of experience in television news, she emphasized the importance of radio in South Africa as a powerful way to reach a wide and diverse audience, particularly those who may not always have access to other forms of media.
Kfm 94.5 and CapeTalk both fall under Primedia Broadcasting Cape Town. Together, they produce a selection of news bulletins that usually run for around five minutes, with music segments that vary in length.
The stations are affiliated with Eyewitness News, delivering regular inserts of news, sport and traffic updates across Cape Town. Kfm 94.5 primarily targets listeners aged 25 to 49 living in the Western Cape and reaches a large proportion of the city.
On the Friday afternoon that YJI visited the newsroom, the atmosphere felt calm yet lively.
Martin Slabbert, a news anchor for “Eyewitness News,” explained that the advertising team was celebrating at the same time a retirement party was being held. Staff members were chatting among themselves and enjoying a selection of celebratory drinks, creating a buzzing environment.
Students had the chance to walk past a live broadcast of “Afternoon Drive with John Maytham,” one of CapeTalk’s most popular shows. The program runs from 3 to 6 p.m., a peak listening period when many people tune in while traveling home from work.
Despite it being one of the quieter days in the office, students still passed journalists producing a live weather broadcast, smiling as they collaborated.
As is common in many newsrooms, journalists’ personalities shone through. Trinkets such as Minion toys were laid out on desks, adding humor and character to the space.
Desks were arranged in groups of four with clear plastic dividers that allowed privacy but kept the newsroom open. Unlike the tightly packed rows often found in busy central London offices, this layout made the space feel larger and more relaxed.
Even as students were leaving, the environment remained inviting. Both journalists and reception staff were welcoming and generous with their time. Youth Journalism International students left motivated to play a part in the future of radio journalism and with a stronger understanding of the vast radio landscape across Cape Town.
Anjola Fashawe is a Senior Correspondent with Youth Journalism International.
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