Nthatuoa Koeshe
PEOPLE’S Choice FM (PC FM) recently celebrated 20 years of existence at a colourful event at Maseru Avani.
The black-tie themed event was attended by several guests among them minister of Water Samonyane Ntsekele, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Machesetsa Mofomobe who represented the minister of communications, Thesele Maseribane.
Founder and director of the station, Motlatsi Majara, said he was excited that the station has withered several storms over the two decades.
Majara said when he founded the station along with his partners, their dream was to start a station for young people but said despite their experience, the made several mistakes which threatened the business.
“We hired a lot of staff and a big building with no money and that almost brought our downfall,” Majara said.
He recounted the salary challenges that they faced with some of the stuff demanding salaries and giving him ultimatums but said the biggest challenge they faced was the political unrest which left Maseru in ashes
Majara said they were however, fortunate to get help from different entities and donations from people such as one Thabo Kou who supported the station’s rebuilding exercise.
He said he was thankful to everyone who was patient in building the station into a reputable brand among them broadcasters Matsepe Masale, Mpiti Taole, Motlatsi Ramokoena and many others who taught him about radio.
For his part, Mofomobe congratulated the radio station for serving Basotho for 20 years. He said radio was a powerful tool and he was glad to see other radio stations using the medium to build. He added that PC FM was an example of a private radio station whose work is unbiased.
He said freedom of speech does not mean radio presenters should be provocative but instead said they should build, inform and educate.
“PC FM’s radio programmes are important for education, politics, business and health and I commend them for the good work they have been doing in serving Basotho,” Mofomobe said.
Station manager Khauta Mpeqa, expressed gratitude to the business community which he said has been supportive to PC FM over the past two decades.
“The business community has loved us and trusted us to pass their valuable brands to their niche market. The nation has loved us and we are humbled.
“We have grown exponentially with you, created jobs from within and outside PC FM. Our staff is proud and honoured to be part of this phenomenal economic and professional entity. We pride ourselves of having assisted the less fortunate and people with special needs to help them gain traction and dignity that they deserve through talking to the hearts and minds of our listeners and nation and beyond through socially oriented programmes,” Mpeqa said.
He said PC FM remains committed to working hard, extending broadcast coverage, enhancing capacity and usage of ICT, social and electronic media, ensuring unparalleled exposure of our business partner’s brands, to marketing clients aggressively and exposing their clients to new markets.
“We will endeavour to find remedies and solutions to challenges speedily, give real time reports to our clients and patrons.
“We will strengthen our relationship with our listeners and the business community, appreciating that PC FM would not be here today without their valued support.
“PC FM will grow to greater heights and ensure acceptable dividends to its shareholders, patrons and the nation at large,” Mpeqa said.
