Award-winning media personality thanks Unisa for head-start

Former Unisa Radio staff member and the university’s alumna, Masego ‘Chresh’ Tlhakanye, has made an indelible mark in the media industry. She attests that the experience gained at the university’s radio station paved the way for her to become a multi-award-winning radio producer.

Masego ‘Chresh’ Tlhakanye

Tlhakanye studied for a Diploma in Information Technology. She explains: “Actually, this qualification was my second choice. I wanted to study Drama or Performing Arts, but we can make plans; however, the Lord determines our steps.” Tlhakanye adds: “Information Technology was interesting for me at the time, though it was something I had never done. However, I realised that technology was the future.”

Before starting her journey at Unisa Radio, Tlhakanye was a Computer Lab Assistant at Unisa’s Sunnyside Campus. “I later heard about Unisa Radio’s auditions from my sister and a friend. I was successful at the auditions, and after joining the team, I got the necessary training and attended workshops,” she explains. Not only was Tlhakanye a staff member, but she also embraced the opportunity to volunteer at the station.

Through her hard work and dedication, she was recruited at one of the biggest commercial stations in Gauteng, Kaya FM, in 2016. She asserts: “The lessons and skills I acquired from Unisa Radio as a content producer, presenter and social media promoter were useful for me to survive in commercial radio.”  She smiles: “Look at me now; I am a multi-award-winning radio producer and a digital media promoter for 5FM — this is huge.”

Treasured career highlights

Reflecting on her career highlights, Tlhakanye remarks: “In my first year of joining Kaya FM, I worked with radio legend, the late Bob Mabena. I also worked with the late Kuli Roberts, whom I grew up reading her columns on the Sunday World newspaper.”  Producing the radio station’s Home with Mapaseka Mokwele talk show for almost five years was another one of her career highlights. The show was awarded the Media Content of the Year for sexual health content at the 2016 Feather Awards. In 2017, she was nominated for Best Commercial Radio Content Producer at the Liberty Radio Awards for the same show. “I learned so much about myself and grew on the show,” she adds.

In 2018, Tlhakanye was awarded the Outstanding Creative Award for her radio content production work by the Gauteng Legislature in the Vita Basadi Awards. She notes: “My top award so far is the 2022 Best Commercial Radio Content Producer by the South African Radio Awards.” Furthermore, she was recently nominated for the Basadi in Music Awards in the Entertainment Radio Producer of the Year category and SMS voting is underway.

Unisa is for you

Tlhakanye says that she recommends Unisa to others. “In fact,” she adds, “the people I had already recommended the university to are conquering the world.” She continues: “If you are a disciplined working-class individual and want to advance your academic life, then Unisa is for you.”

She affirms that she is grateful to have studied at the university. She acknowledges: “My adult life, information technology expertise and career journey started at Unisa, and I will embrace this forever.” Tlhakanye concludes: “I congratulate Unisa on its 150 years milestone, and I look forward to more and better opportunities for the youth.”

#Unisa150 #Unisa150Stories

* By Nancy Legodi, Acting Senior Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement