By Obakeng Maje
Taung Community Radio Station, Vaaltar FM hosted an Annual General Meeting(AGM) on Saturday with its listeners. The gathering of community-oriented radio broadcaster was to discuss new plan to grow the station and to get listeners’ views regarding the station and its programmes.

The station was launched more than ten years ago on 93.6 FM and has been a trademark across Dr Ruth S. Mompati municipality.

According Vaaltar FM Board Of Directors chairperson Daniel Moepeng, the station is moving away from analog to digital and that will help to reach more listeners.

“This change in branding represents the station’s position as the alternative voice of the Greater Taung area and its Surroundings. Most listeners raised the issues of some programmes that need to be scrapped and replaced by more appealing ones” Moepeng said.

Moepeng also highlighted the issue of challenges the station come across. He said even though Vaaltar FM does not have that big amount of budget, the station will try its level best to make sure the sustainability is there.

Most listeners applaud the station for conveying much-needed information to the masses and said they hope the management can improve on that.

They also advised the station’s presenters to do more research so that no distorted information is disseminated to them.

“We heard our listeners and also welcome programme committee that was elected. We will work hand-in-hand with the committee to take the station forward. Our listeners are more important and we will prioritized their views” Vaaltar FM newly-elected Programme Manager, Tirelo Maruping said.

Most local artists were given the platform to showcase their talent and listeners were taken into Vaaltar FM revamped studios to have a first hand experience how broadcasting works.

Maruping said the station is not worried about losing its first spot as number station. He said listenership will pick up again and what is needed is working together for the same objective.

Vaaltar FM won some awards in the past and once maneuvered its way to the top spot in the province.

Moepeng said the station will embark on an outreach programme to engage with its listeners and other organisations that form part of the demographic area.

“We will visit churches, schools and other areas where we will reach our listeners. Community participation will be our centre of priorities” he said.

Councellor Oageng Seleke on behalf of municipality applauds a job well-done by the station and hints the municipality could also help to presenters with skill development programmes.-TDN
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